The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-11-24
CONFERENCE AT BrsHOPvILLE.
Welcome by Former Lieutenant Gov
crnor McLeOd-Speaks for Capital
OF LCc-SYuch Business Transacted.

Rishopvlle, Nov. 21.-The South
Carolina Methodist Conference began
its annual session this morning. For
The first tine in its history Bishop
vile is entertaining this body and do
ing it in excellent style. Elaborate
preparation was made for the confer
ence and in spite of war and Mr..
Hoover the ministers and delegates
are living O.. the fat of this fat land.
An important item of preparation was
the clearing off of the debt on the
magnificent church in which the con-
ference is meeting and opening the
way for its dedication on Sunday by
hishop Atkins. This building cost
$oV'OoO and would ornament any city.
10 the delight of the conference Bish-
Up A'Klhs is present to preside. Hia
heaith is much improved. The bish-
op was president of the session of
1915 and made such a favorable inn
preston that his return was re-
luested
Inc morning session today was pre-
ceded by the sacrament of the Iord,e
supper. administered by DR.. III. w.
Gays and other elderly ministers. The
organization of the body is identical
with that OF last yeSr. The Rev. DIR.
r. y. Watson is secretary, assisted by
the Rev. w. L. Wait. Fl. G. Hardin.
W. V. Dibble, A. j. Cauthen. statisti.
cal secretary, assisted by the Revs. 8.
IL. breckmata, the Rev r. Il. Cody.
The Rev. w. r. Phillips.
The Rev. A. j. Cauthen, secretary of
the board OF presiding elders. read
the nominations for the several COM
mites.
Thomas c. Mcleod welcomed the
conference in his usual happy style.
Mr.. Mcleod made the speech inviting
the conference to Bishopville last year
and that speech was the most potent
factor i'm influencing the body to Sc
lect Bishopville as it's meeting place.
His speech today was just as happy.
Bishop Atkins responded for the
conference. ~
The Rev. ). T. Fowler introduced a
resolution assuring President Wilson
OF the sympathy and support OF the
Metbodists OF the State in his conduct
Of the nations affairs and the resolu-
ton was adopted by a rising vote
The Rev. a. D. Belts moved the ap-
pointment Of committee on war
work. which was adopted, the COM
mittee to be named later in the ses.
sion.
The bishop called the twenty-sec.
ond question relating to the passage
Of the character of the ministers and
completed the call. The reports were
made by presiding elders and pastors.
which showed unprecedented results
financially. The Charleston and Or
angeburg districts reported all salaries
and claims fully met with a large sur
pius. Practicaiiy all ministers have
been paid their salaries and the most
OF them have received a surplus. Such
a situation has never before obtained.
The Rev. j. c. Counts and. the
Rev. j. c. Davis, two of the veterans
. Of the conference asked for a super
animated relation which was granted.
The historical society of the confer
ence observed its anniversary last
night. The Rev. d. NJ Mcleod OF
, Charleston was the orator and deliv-
cred an address on the church extern
sion of Southern Methodism. The ad-
dress was an exhaustive study Of his
work and is a most valuable addition
to Methodist history.