Tiaev. jn . t Tr wr. Lier-'i.".A.f,' 'W 5'SH5iA-.:r5.,s-'523? 5" w t?K (4 v?-. fl'3 tvWBiSBRrHBK31BPTBBJffjBs?EfPB&Sl rjssWK rESKHBr"2'i- .is3ar fcSSsSB 9aa9fxfvVitj- I vVffJJOaae-a35XKICsmWW3WWM!ri: S5VF".:r ,-JWrw' 'X?S I,w l.7 "'t; "7 "'''".''SSSFSTa "JtS5eE7r,V',5S,!S''-'''r7r' 'K -3, -UrST TWQf -V".SRB3r U -?i-ET,S3f5BSB5BI5-i&f SBSE!Brarza?WWHBMW3WMyj U.VHHfW JilBWJWMi,ti3e???S5.Yi:rs SU"'T- r3iy, JJftSrSt3SWfeSSiSsv'&"aiS, . !.. '' - J-." f- .V. vt-j-w.-JSi-.V . OtJ.jriJL. . &.. V-. " ' v;-.-" . -'-k -.-..i-wss 5rr- . RalVi tees? !. K-fci B.f .c iiSSr tS. v$& if ffe inf &S'i w" 5 W m ?3r .v. FS- feS" 5ff n r5 3 l H&" " C F$r im tssr !B& && ?s& '&r ir.-i r WMMil I II i i ii ii! , ,i i , , i i m , i. SCi-Vs furariuter Intelligencer. ATSVS'0, MARCH 14. 1883 Jgf .Freight DIscrimlBaUeBB. Heuse of Representatives lias tbe bill te prevent discrimination railroads in their charges. We be- 3aWH tbe bill simply enacts the language 5af the constitution, provides a penalty of $tj)00, and leaves te the jury the ques tiaa. of the injustice of tbe discrimina- 'l'kl- A nllnMil nnmnenv frofe intn f merciless hands when it falls under the Tharrew of a jury, and probably the Leg itlature could de nothing worse te them ithan te hand them ever te a jury's care. Sailread officers hate juries with great wrrer. 'reey nave a very iew opm epm 'ikm of this great "palladium" fkL our liberties; but the public yPTallv find the iurv a very Med institution, especially when it Vr fives heavy damages against a railroad. feTer the fact is that the people hale tbe managers ; that is the reason D-tfce juries de, because they come from "H-SBB people, xue ycuym auu tuc juij .tV J A nii. N?- CannOC neip eeing in yejpai.uy. i ueie "7l exists between railroad corporations and &f" the nubile an irrepressible conflict : the .&& railroads, when they have the people 'W - .. , ,. . Jl. il,. 51.1.,.. .4. junaer tueir tuuinu, uauuit) tueui hhuuui eonsideratien. They de as theypleasei and te these who de net like it, they say in the language of Mr. Tweed, " What are you going te de about it?" And When a jury gets held of a railroad, it mses its power with as little consideration for the feelings of these whom it has by the ears. Se that en tbe whole the people have reason te be satisfied if the Legislature turns ever te their juries the matter of restraining railroad discrimination. If the Legislature makes the whip stout enough, and gives it a geed stinging lash, the juries will be apt te apply it with a discrimination that will at least suit the public table. The effect of such a law ought te be te make the railroad officers very accom modating. We all knew hew the most arrogant of people beceme the most humble when they come before anyone who holds a whip ever them. There will net be the least profit in the practice of anything but the justest rulesin arrang ing a freight and passenger tariff, when juries everywhere along the line of the read in the state stand ready te put their scrutiny upon the charges ; they will have te he of the fair est kind te pass muster. The constitution says that everyone shall have an equal right te railroad transportation, and that "no undue or un reasonable discrimination shall be made in charges for, or in facilities for, trans portation of freight or passengers within this state, or coming from or going te any ether state. Persons and property transported ever any railroad, shall be delivered at any station, at charges net exceeding tbe charges for transportation of persons and property of the same , in tbe same direction te any meie distant station." That languaage might be improved, but it is geed enough for its purpose, if a jury is left free te construe it, and the penalty is made severe enough te be feared. Venerable in years, picturesque with its historical associations, eminent in material resources and foremost in its spiritual activities, the conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, whose members arc sojourning in our city during its ninety-sixth annual ses sion, may with geed right review its his tery with pride. Our national historian makes the development of Methodism a significant feature of the growth of American institutions. Its century of history is almost exactly contemporane ous with the history of the government, and the story of its wonderful growth and influence makes a large chapter in thg record of the marvelleus story of the American people. Numbering its churches by tens .of thousands, and its adult membership by millions, planting its places of worship every day en the frontier line of advancing development, and doing its great work of evangelization, education and philanthropy all ever the world, no estimation of tbe vital forces of human progress is accurate that does net make due account of its influence and significance. The representatives of this great interest are warily wel- EnenbspTtailty eilfur city, and the proceedings of their conference have a general interest for the whole com munity. Indications multiply that it is the determined purpose of the Republicans in tbeliegislature te block the passage of the apportionment bills this winter, for the reason that they knew that any pretense of a fair apportionment will be less favorable te their partisan interests than the existing gerrymanders forced upon the state by Republican Legisla tures ten years age, and mere grotesque in their unfairness new than they were even then intended te be by their pre jecters. Unfortunately, and owing te the ignorance of Democratic manage ment in such things, the apportionment bills were returned late and obtained a low place en the calendar. They cannot obtain preference of consideration with out a suspension of the regular order, which the Republicans will net assent te, for there seems te be no body of Re publicans in the Heuse able te rise te tbe level of a demand for a fair apportion ment, te be made as the constitution perempterially directs. There is one thing that remains for the Democrats te de if the opposition persists in its arbitrary purposes te defeat the plain direction of the fundamental law. Every preceding bill, as its turn comes, can be postponed until the apportionment measures' are reached. Grave public duties demand heroic treatment and no H sere ssrieuB concern is enjoined upon f tiie Legislature than the passage of aD- i ' portienment bills. f3f ' ' Methodist conferences in Lancaster iii- ". it-" i. l:l. -1-1 :!!. i "yv- uuuuby, uiuujtu ime auigew vjeiuj iu re S?i l ..- J M --l ;c; jBpecs or Demg iew ana iar Between, are ? net entire strangers here. It has been :?C mum twnntv-flichfc vfiars sincn cnnfAr. iy- t.j. : .j . j . .!. Vfye Jev wxrcuiuicu iioie, auu uiv vijt like the conference, has changed some what since then both for tbe better it is te be hoped. Less familiar than with the proceedings of -that assemblage of ever a quarter of a century age, are tbe visiting brethren with a conference that assembled in Lancaster county about four-score years age and in the days of primitive Methodism, of which even the recollections reuse tbe orators te fervor and their audiences te enthusiasm. At Soudersburg, ten miles from Lancaster, down the Philadelphia turnpike, in 1S04, Bishop Asbury, of blessed memo ry, presided ever the seventeenth annual session of the Philadelphia conference, some account of which, specially prepared for the Intelligence!!, will appear in its columns te-morrow. Notwithstanding the hanging of two men for murder in New Yerk en Friday, the Sunday following witnessed two cruel murders in that city,committed with a deliberation that plainly showed the murderers te make no account of tbe example set by the fate of these who had gene te their death two days before by way of the gallows erected by the law. Hangingisnet "played out," but if it has any influence te alter men from crime it has net been demonstrated. It was only a little election yesterday ever in Camden, but the Democrats car ried by GOO majority the chief city of the Iato Mr. Robeson's district. Benjamin Butterwekth, a Philadel phia sexton, has been held te answer tbe charge of indecency te a little girl, but his congressional namesake, who emptied tbe ladies' gallery en a memorable occasion, is still at large. One of the witnesses in the Delauey in vestigation at Harrisburg beard of 100 bar boxes of soap being out down te sixty in a box ; aud thus it was that the contractor was able te supply the state at $1.50 less per box than the wholesale cost price. This was as considerate as tbe humane coal contractor, who supplied the state with 1,200 pounds te tbe ten te save bis horses from hauling tee heavy a lead up capitol bill. Wharten Barker having accomplished civil service reform, a remodeling of tbe tariff and a reduction of the internal rev enue, new directs that tbe revenue from tobacco shall be divided among the various states iu accordance with tbe population, a certain percentage te be used for tbe pay ment of the state's debts, and the rest for thepublie soheols. " We Independents propose te force the Regulars te adept this, and if possible have it placed in the next national platform." Uen8. Wm. S. Evarts and Rescoe Conk Cenk ling, are te be interrogated by some per sons who have large mercantile interests at stake, with reference te the question that is coming up, touching the constitu tionality of the new tariff. The idea has get abroad that the Senate transcended its functions in " originating" a revenue measure, and that if a case can be made for the supreme court, that tribunal will declare tbe whole thing null and void. If Conkling and Evarts could be get te agree en something it would be worth an effort, anyhow. Tiie rival operatic war between Abbey with Nillson and Mapleson with Patti has reached white heat. And the climax of bombastic advertising is reached in this description of Patti's success by her man ager : " In Pittsburgh the scene was some thing te be remecbered. Magnificently dressed women, with Patti tickets clutched tightly iu their bands, fought their way from one landing te another. Great bouquets of exquisite artificial flowers were brushed from their corsages and were trampled among a thousand feet. At tbe matinee in Bosten the lobby was one unbroken mass of wet and drippiDg men and women. After tbe house was in 131 single overshoes were picked up. They were thrown into a heap. In the evening nearly as many mere were added te the pile." FEATURES OF THE STATE PRESS. The Legislative Recerd is the most irreg ular of our exchanges. But when itcejSies it is numerous. jr ' The Yerk Age avows tljatf its editorial staff consists of tweljrfe and experienced newspaper men' The Altoeni Tribune kicks at the idea of Huntingdon county being attached te Bl?ftr as a judicial district. It wants te go it alone. The Scranton Republican thinks that if the new lunacy bill does net suit the asylum superintendents they had better resign. The Philadelphia News deelares that no one objects te the proper limitation of the powers of the building commission. But te abolish it is another matter. The Philadelphia Press and Inquirer have a geed word for Gen. Peter Muhlen berg as the subject ter a Pennsylvania statue in the national capitol. The Hughesville Enterprise sees clearly that "all the signs point te the approach ing dissolution of the Republican organi zation." The Wilkesbarre Recerd foretells a geed time coming when there' will be "a new deal in which the Delaney-Adams class of self sacrificing patriots will have no oppor tunity for plunder." The Oil City Derrick shouts that the oenviction of ballet box thieves in Phila delphia is "glorious." "Let the geed work go en until there is left no man who dare de these dastardly deeds." The Harrisburg Independent ascribes the downfall of Republicanism te its ruth less disregard of public opinion, and thinks the part; should advertise for lead ers. The Pittsburgh Leader does net believe the Dukes jury is a "set-up'' one beeause it happens te be composed of Democrats. The real hope of Dukes is reliance en his social status. Can Fayette county hang "a gentleman ?" The Columbia Herald suspects that the bill reducing the internal revenue taxes should have been entitled "an act for the benefit of cigar manufacturers and manu facturers of proprietary medicines." The consumer will have te pay the same old price for his pills and cigars. Ex-Senater Windeji will net go te New Yerk. He loves Minnesota tee well and he has some grudges out there te pay off. . ., , t'-tfi' NEWS NOTES. A OOCPI.15 Of IDIOTS. WITH OCRS. A Ptajfal loose Hib Who Ud Net Knew it Wa lMMleL Various Otaer Beeemt HapgeniBga. Catharine Adams, a young lady 18 yeare of age, living at Caseyville, St. Clair county, I1L, some ten miles from East St. Leuis, was shot and killed last Saturday evening by Jehn Jacobs, an intimate friend. Jacobs was Bitting at his front depr looking out, and seeing a young lady friend coming up the street he thought it would be a nice thing te play a practical joke en hr and frighten her a little. He hurried into an adjoining room, picked up an old shotgun, which he supposed was empty, and putting en a cap be burned back te the deer. .He thought he would snap the cap at her, and that the sound of it, whether she saw the gun or net, would make berjump. He waited where he could net be seen till she was in front of the deer, only a few feet from him, and then pulled the trigger. There was a loud bang and a little cloud of smoke, and Catharine Adams fell dead at his feet. She did net speak a word, and perhaps never knew that she had been or was going te be Bhet. Jacobs was, of course, horrified and went about after ward crying like an idiot, that he was. The villagers quickly gathered, and there was great indignation and threats of lynching, but a train seen came along and tbe constable hustled Jacobs aboard, aud new the prisoner is at Belleville, in tbe county jail. The young lady was eighteen years old, very pretty, and was popular in the little town, which numbers only two or three hundred inhabitants'. Telling ou uis Confederates. The case of Enes J. Crowther, charged with complicity in tbe robbery et $100, 000 worth of city bends from the treasur er's office in St. Jeseph, Missouri, a year age, is new en trial in that city. Tuesday Jehn S. Cox, one of the dependents, turned states evidence. He testified that he, with Crowther, Irwin and Scott, planned the robbery, and that "en the night of 17th of March, while the St. Patrick's day ball was going en in the City hall, Crow ther and Scott entered tbe office of the city register and abstracted the bends from the vaults. Subsequently Scott and Irwin went te New Yerk and negotiated them." A Precocious Bey. Mrs. Eline, of Westbury, Leng Island, went out yesterday morning leaving her ten-year-old son te take care of his sisteis aged six and eight years. During her ab sence tbe boy get his father's gun, placed his eldest sister en a bench, said they "would have some fun," and fired at her, causing a fatal wound. When he saw what he had done he washed the wound and told her te say she bad cut herself with glass. He then get a doctor, who discov ered the serious nature of the wound. It is alleged that tbe boy "did net knew it was eaded." Miscellaneous Matters by JUail. The American baseball association, in session at St. Leuis, Tuesday, elected as regular umpires : Charles H. Daniels, Hartferd ; W. H. Becannen, New Yerk ; Benjamin Seramers, Cincinnati. Substi tutes, Jehn T. Wagner, St. Leuis, and Jehn E. Bass, Brooklyn. Walter Webb, master mechanic of the Reme, Watertown and Ogdeusburg'rail Ogdeusburg'rail read, was killed by a train at Watertown yesterday. m A MINISTKK DKFOSEU. Rev. Sir. Keyser Found Guilty of Breach of Premise and Bizpelled. The ministers of the Lebanon Reformed church classis trying the case of breach of premise against Rev. Alexander S. Keyser, of Pottsville, were in session until three o'clock Tuesday morning in St. Jehn's Reformed church at Hamburg. At that time the classis decided against Keyser and bis license te preach was at once re voked. He was much disheartened and left for Pottsville that morning. Miss Elizabeth K. Miller, the plaintiff, also de parted for her home. She said she was certain all along that classis would favor her after her full story had been heard. Rev. Keyser is a native of Maxatawny township and is about thirty-six years old. He is of medium height, sparely built, dark complexion, dark eyes and dark.curly hair. He was licensed and ordained in 1881 and the second Reformed church at Pottsville was his first charge. He is a graduate of Ursinus college. Montgomery county. Miss Miller formerly resided in the family of Rev, D. K. Humbert at Bewers, where she formed the acauaitft- anca of Mr. Kyser when she was about 17 years of age aud he was a.eung stu- uent preparing ier tne ministry, ane is below medium heights-,' with dark brown hair, dark eyes auA' fair complexion, and of prepessecia.vng' appearance. Her parents are d$a&T Miss Miller's son, Milten Pbatfiah Keyser, who is in the sixth year of his age, sat by her side in tbe church during the trial. Keyser, en being asked if he were guilty of the charges against him, answered, "Ne, no." Mr. Keyser was represented by Rev. L. D. Steckel, of Womelsderf: Rev. J. O. Jehnsen, of Schuylkill Haven, and Rev. H. Keyser, of .Lebanon ; the accused by Rev. Dr. 1 . W. Kremer, of Lebanon ; Kev. Dr. Bausman, of Reading, and Rev. Gee. Wolf, of Myerstown. The child of Miss Miller is the very image of Rev. Keyser. Witnesses were heard en both sides and then the testimony of Rev. Keyser was taken. A letter was then produced in which he made efforts te be released from the premises he bad made te marry Miss Miller. During the time of their courtship 425 love letteis were written by Keyser te Miss Miller, and all in the most endearing terms. These were all returned te Keyser at bis own request, except 25. The witnesses spoke highly of Miss Miller's geed char acter. Her sterv was all straight. PERSONA!.. Burnaud, editor of Pundi, jests inces santly, has been twice married and has fourteen children. Salmi Merse has been released from any criminal accountability for giving private rehearsals et bis "i'assien .Tlay." J. J. Hahbrigut, formerly of this city and a member of the 79th, has been help ing te organize a' Grand Army pest in Oakland, California. Senater Jehn I. Mitchell is charged by the Stalwart Washington Critic with having dismissed the messenger of the committee en pensions, of which he is chairman, in order te make plaea for his hfteen year ela son. Frederick N. Crouch, the composer of "Kathleen Maveurneen, ' is a gray-haired man, who lives en peer fare in Baltimore. A tattered coat of Confederate gray keeps some of the cold out. He is new out of employment and tee old te help himself. He has a wife and five children. He tries te smile cheerily at fate, but admits that he needs help. Dr. Ferbes, of the Jeffersen medical faculty, Philadelphia, was found " net guilty" yesterday of the violation of se pulture. This was "owing te the con tinued absence of the most important witness for the commonwealth." A new jury was then impanelled te try Dr.Ferbes en another bill, in which he is charged with ethers with conspiracy te rob the graves of Lebanon cemetery. Mrs, Augusta J. Evans Wilsen, auth oress of " Beulah " and " St. Elme," lives happily with her husband near Mobile in a beautiful home of the real Southern type. She has refined and delicate fea tures, set in a frame of soft brown nnrln ' tailing te the .shoulders ; dark, -pleasant, -K--ferf irfjS'wvSfe tfejv.ias-. "a. Jz expressive eye ; a .figure hardly p te medium size for a lady, and a delicate ap pearance, as if the mental structure rather overbalanced the physical. She is net young and dresses k perfect harmony. Sethekn gave a dinner party at which all the guests arrived promptly en time but one. Sothern proposed as a joke that when this comer was announced everybody should get under the table. This proposi preposi tion was agreed te, and Sothern, when the rest bad crawled under the table slyly resumed his Beat. The late comer entered, stared and exclaimed, " Helle 1 where are all the fellows ?" Sothern shook his head in a lugubrious fashion, and in melancholy tones replied, " 1 can't explain it, my dear teilew ; but the moment they beard your name, they all get under the table." The guests emerged one by one looking very foolish. ST. JO If MATTEBM. Ueeeut Intelligence Frem tbe Nertb West "Yes sir, my busy sir, my busy season is almost ever," a.d Uapt. u. V. Gallagher, tbe veteran auctioneer, of Mt. Jey, as he puffed vigorously at a cigar, in answer te a question from an Intelligencer rep resentative. "It's been a very busy sea son, tee ;" and continuing be said, " why sir, since the 30th day of January, in about six weekb' time, I have sold in round numbers $80,500 worth, of . personal property.. Mind, new it's personal, net real estate," and a triumphant smile lit up his weather worn countenance. " On the average I talked six hours a day, have been out in rain, snow and sunshine, and traveled hundreds of miles, and I don't mind it a bit." " I guess you get geed prices for per sonal property?" "Yes, it's been an excellent season. But talk about prices. I have an item for you that'll beat anything I ever heard of about these parts. I had a sale en Mon day .of household property, belonging te the estate of Catharine Snyder, deceased, who was the widow of Jehn Snyder, sr. Well, sir, it was wonderful hew they went. An eight day clock, a long, old fashioned one, brought $225. I never sold any for mere than $75. Emma Snyder, a daughter of the deceased, bought it, after some very lively bidding. Her nephew was bidding against her, and would have run it up higher but his mother persuaded him te step. A yellow pitcher brought $12, two sugar bowls $6 apiece, a little cream jug $3, a small pewter tray $9. These are only a part of the articles that went se high, but they are all I can think of new," and the captain himself went off te call a sale at Landisville. The exorbitant prices realized at the sale, which was a singular occurrence for that neighborhood, created a geed deal of comment. On last Saturday Eli M. Engle, farmer, a young married man, of near Newtown, Raphe township, was kicked en the fore head by a herse. He was seriously in jured, but he will recover. Katie, a three-year old daughter of Jacob Mumma, of Denegal Springs, East Done Dene gal township, fell from the ierebay of their bain, en Saturday. She sustained injuries about her head and both wrists. Dr. James P. Zieglcr attended her. suicide in the station-house. A Well-Known Man Hangs Himself Tbe End of An Old soldier. Jacob Leibley, aged between 55 and GO years, committed suicide sometime during last uight by hanging himself in the station-house. He resided with his family at Ne. 422 East Strawberry street. Yes terday he had been drinking and one of his folks made complaint against him be fore Alderman A. F. Dennelly. He. was arrested by Officer Merringer aud placed in tbe station house between 7 and 8 o'clock. At that time he was but slightly under the influence of liquor. At 10 o'clock he was placed in cell Ne. 5, having been taken from another, which was near a drunken tramp who was making a great deal of noise. He was seen alive than for the last time. This morning Geerge Yeager, grandson of Turnkey Nagle, went te the cell te give Leibley seme breakfast ; he found him dead, hanging in the eastern end of the cell. He had used the strap which he were te held his pantaloons up, one end of which he tied te the swinging grate en th'e window. The ether he tied areuud his neck, and in that manner he was strangled. When found his feet worc werc worc teuching the fleer. It was evident that he had been dead fevx ume time. Corener Shiffer was notified and he held an in questy Vae ' jury rendering a verdict of suicide by hanging. The deceased was a butcher by trade, and worked for years at Kiljinger's, en East King street. He suffered greatly from a bone felon, which he had had for a long time and recently he had te have a hand amputated. He was a soldier during the war and drew a. pension. He leaves a wife and family of children. Several times before he has threatened te commit suicide. Other Attempts. Tbere have been a number of attempts at suicide in the station house since its erection. Nan Butler, a colored woman of this city, has been cut down no less than three times. B. F. Davis, the tramp, had his life saved by the timely arrival of a policeman and an Arab and a German, each of whom cheese the same mode of leaving this world, were prevented from doing se in that building. AT ST. MAKY'S. Closing of tbe Forty Hours Devotion. St. Mary's church was packed te reple tion last night with one of the largest assemblages ever gathered within its four walls, the cause of the immense gathering being tbe closing ceremonies of the forty hours devotion. Leng before 7:30 o'clock, the time when tbe services were announced te commence, the rear portion of the church was filled with an expeetant throng who were unable te obtain seats, and later en it was well nigh impossible te get a nearer view of the ceremonies than that afforded by the vestibules of the building. After the singing of a hymn by the choir Rev. Father McDermott, of West Chester, ascended the pulpit and delivered an eloquent and'profeundly logical discourse en the Catholic doctrine of the "Real Pres ence." His exposition of this artiele of faith, difficult te believe, because contrary te the testimony of the senses and ap parently equally contradictory of reason, was masterly in style and enchained the attention of his hearers throughout. After the sermon the litany of the saints was recited, following which a precession of the Blessed Sacrament took place in which upwards of 120 young ladies and little eir Is participated. Tbe solemn ex ercises of the evening terminated with tbe bsnedictien of the Blessed Sacrament, the singing of the choir at this portion of the services deserving special commendation. Police cases. By the mayor this morning one drunk was given 5 days and three ethers 15. Lizzie Culp get drunk last night and amused herself by breaking the windows of Barney Breeht's saloon. Officer Elias arrested her and she get 30 days. Alderman McConemy sent a train rider, who was arrested by Railroad Officer Rey, te jail for 10 days. Sllgbt Accident. Yesterday Mr. Jehn Keller, the con tractor, was standing near a derrick, at the Reckville bridge, above Harrisburg, where some repairs are being made. An iron guy broke and struck Mr. Keller, knocking him down upon the railroad track. He had a wrist sprained and was badly "bruised. :.mM.MS&KJi THE CONEEBENCE. ITS MINKTI-SIXm AM4UAE. SKsSlOA. Tbe Historical Society celebration Or ganizatien et the Confereaee Tbe Werk of tbe Week. The Philadelphia conference of the Methodist church, of which the 96th annual session is new being held in tbe Lancaster court house, is net the eldest of the 101 conferences in the United States where Methodism has its greatest strength. That proud distinction belongs te the Baltimore con ference by several years. Fer though te Barbara Heck and Philip Embury is due the credit of the first church organization in New Yerk, whose centennary was cele brated in 1868, it was upon that memor able Christmas eve of 1784 that the great conference was begun which or ganized tbe Methodists of America as a separate fold into the one " fleck of Christ." Of the eighty-one American preachers, nearly sixty were present, most of them young. Here Coke took his seat as superintendent ; and here, taking te himself presbyters, he consecrated Francis Asbury as a superintendent for America : here eleven or mere persons were elected elders, and all of them who were present were consecrated ; here Asbury, who re fused te receive the office of superintend ent at the will of Wesley alone, was unanimously " elected bishop or superin tendent by the suffrages of the whole body of Methodist ministers through the continent, assembled in general confer ence ;" and here Coke, obeying the direc tions of Wesley, took te' himself at least the canonical number of presbyters, and ordained him, Franeis Asbury, as " a superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal church in America." In the ordination sermon delivered en that day and publish ed at the time, Coke asserts his own " right te exercise the episcepal office," and defines the title of superintendent as the equivalent of " bishop." Tbe PMladelpbla Conference. As claimed by the speakers at the cele bration last evening, however, in many respects the Philadelphia conference is preeminent. Within its bounds as early as 1767 was held a Methodist service by Capt. Webb, and even before that an audience had been bespoken for him by Dr. Wrangle, a Swedish mis sionary, who being acquainted with Wes ley's writings, had left word upon his departure that if any of Wesley's preach ers visited the city the people should go te hear him. This conference is one of the original six and the mother of many of the later ones. In wealth, influence, the character of its charges, tbe amount of its missionary collections, the learning and might of its ministry, it commands tbe respect and admiration of the whole church. The reverend bishop resident within its limits is the senior of his rank and tbe pride of Methodism iu this country and abroad. Seme idea of its territorial extent and divisions,, and of its work and influence may be gathered from the follow ing abstract of the Werk of the Past Year. The work in the past year has been ar ranged in four districts, viz., the north, northwest, west and south Philadelphia. The North Philadelphia Rev. Jacob M. Hinsen, presiding elder. The district is bounded en the south by Race street ; en the west by Fifth Btreet, North Penn sylvania railroad, Lehigh and Nesquohon Nesquehon Nesquohen ing valleys ; en the north by the north lines of Carben and Menree counties ; en the east by the Delaware river. There are 64 charges in the district ; 107 preach ing places, 95 of which are churches. Value of church property March, 1882 Churches, value, $773,620; parsonages, 24; value, $73,300 ; aggregate, $846,920 ; Sun day schools, 103; officers and teachers, 2,163 ; scholars, 19,057. Northwest Rev. W. Swindells, presid ing elder. The district embraces 24 charges in Philadelphia, 15 in Montgomery county, 12 in Schuylkill county, 5 in Berks county, 5 in Chester, 1 in Bucks county in all 62 charges in the district; 78 preaching places, 76 of which are churches. Value of church property Churches, $916,788 ; parsonages, 25; value, $105,200 ; total, $1,021,933. Sunday schools, 85. Officers and teachersv I a,i88. scholars, ie,783. r, - West Rev. Jacob DickAcwn,presiding elder, includes that portion of the city of Philadp-Vciia lying en the west side of feixth street, from Girard avenue en the north, te Race street en the south, includ ing Western church, excepting Trinity ; all of West Philadelphia, except Pasohall Pasehall ville, and the churches along the line of the Pennsylvania railroad te Mt. Jey ; the churches en the Northern Central rail road te the northern boundary of our con ference ; the Lebanon Valley railroad from Reading te Harrisburg ; the ap pointments of the S. & T. read in Tre Tre ment, Pine Greve, etc., and also the ap pointments en the Waynesburg R. R. There are 54 charges en the district ; 80 preaching places, 73 of which are churches. Value of church property churches value, $870,014 ; parsonages, 29 ; value, $99,950 ; aggregate Sunday-schools, 79 ; officers and teachers, 1,695 ; scholars, 13, 525. Seuth Rev. Jehn S. J. McConnell, presiding elder. The district embraces all that part of the city of Philadelphia south of Race street, between the Dela ware and Schuylkill rivers (except West ern church), and the territory of our con ference along the line of the following railroads : The Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore, the Baltimore Central, the Philadelphia & West Chester, the Pome Peme Pome rey & state line, the Peach Bettem, the Columbia & Pert Deposit, the Lancaster & Quarryville and that part of the Penn sylvania railroad along the Susquehanna river between Columbia and Steelton. It includes 54 pastoral charges, representing 87 churches. Value of church property churches' value, $1,084,000 ; parsonages' (26) value, $100,200 ; aggregate, $1,184, 200. Sunday schools, 91 ; officers and teachers, 1,864, and scholars, 14,004. THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Tbe Anniversary of the Organization Cele brated Last Evening1. The anniversary of tbe Historical society of the ME. chureh took place in the Duke street church last evening. The body of the church was entirely filled and large numbers occupied seats in the galleries. In .the audience were many distinguished members of the annual conference, whose sessions commenced this morning in the court beuse. The chair was occupied by the president of the society, Rev. J. S. J. McConnell, and Bishop Bewman and sev eral ether clergymen occupied seats en the pulpit platform. The exercises opened with the singing of hymn 679, commencing "Hew Firm a Foundation, ye Saints of the Lord," and was followed by a brief but earnest prayer offered by Rev. S. T. Themas. After a voluntary by tbe choir, the librarian, Rev. J. S. Hughes, presented his annual report : Librarian's Hepert. "We take pleasure in reporting that the society has been favored with an unpre cedented share of success during the past year. The additions te the library com prises about 200 volumes, including several important biographical works. The principal donations were from Rev. T. R. Petersen, about 40 vels. ; Professer William L. Boswell, 24 vels. ; Jeseph Thompson, esq., 20 vels. ; Dr. Matthew Serin's family, 22 vels. ; Miss Jane Mo Me Clintock, 9 vels. We are also indebted te Benjamin C. Hepper, esq., for the dona tion of a handsome mrakcate. The room has been beautifully fitted up during the year, making it the most attractive in tbe 'entire building. Since our last report we have received a few in teresting and earefully prepared QOtrUm Vi. tieas te ear local history. The growing custom among-the eharekfls of celebrating various anniversaries premises te furnisli the society eventually with the history of many, if net most of the eharches within the bounds of the conference : but we beg 1 te suggest that the uniform experience of tbese who bave attempteu tne tasKis, that the earlier such historical sketch is commenced the better and mere easily it will be accomplished. We again append the resolution unanimously passed at the session of the conference in 1877 : 1 Reselted, That each member of the Philadelphia annual confereneo, and each preacher hereafter admitted te full mem bership in the conference, be requested te prepare a brief sketch of his life, especial ly of his early religious experience and call te the ministry, and that such sketch be sent te the Historical society, Ne. 1,018 Arch street, Philadelphia.' " Bishop Bewman's Address. Rev. Bishop Bewman, president of the conference, was then introduced, by the president, and made the opening address He said that some weeks age a report had reached him in his home in the West that he was expected te deliver an address en " Methodism Then and New," but tbe pregramme was changed, and this morn ing he learned that he wan te open the ex ercises with a short address and ethers were te fellow with longer speeches. He had intended te run bick ever tbe history of Methodism in central Pennsylvania as it was in the early days of the church and compare these days with these, but the length of time allotted him will net per mit of his giving mere than a few hurried items. He remembers very well when he was but five or six years old that he thought it "awful," as the ladies new say, that his father and mother should go off te camp meeting and leave him at home, and he remem bers hew bitterly he cried te go along with them. He remembers when the church had no foreign missions, and hew interested he was in them when they were first opened in 1823 and hew the words of Rev. Knox thrilled him when he spoke of the duty of the church te carry the gospel into Africa, and hew he felt that it was his duty te be one of the mis sienaries. He remembers hew in 1833 he became the agent of the Colonization society, and in that capacity traveled ever a very large portion of the country, and hew he visited this county and was shel tered' from a great storm by a pious Presbyterian minister, Mr. Barr and his family, and bow a tew years aiterwarus be preached here in Lancaster from the very same text that Bishop Janes had preached from en the day before and hew he wouldn't have done se, had he known it. Laughter. The bishop then read a statis tical summary showing the wonderful growth of the M. E. church in Sunday schools, churches, preachers, membership, and wealth. Lancaster city was first or ganized as a station in 1828 with a mem bershipef72. New it has 722. Columbia was net organized as a station uutil 1835, and te day there are mere Metbe lists in Lancaster county than there were in the whole of Pennsylvania portion of the Phil adelphia conference at that time. The bishop then compared the Methodism of te day with that of the olden times, and confessed that had he forty years age dropped into the Duke street church as it is new, he would net have acknowledged it te be a Methodist church. The beauti ful organ which new furnishes such fine music would have then been regarded as the devil's music box. Instead of the handsome church edifice we new oceupy, the only Methodist church in Lancaster when he first visited it was a rickety old frame that waspieppedup by legs and was nearly blown down one stormy night when he was in it frightening im almost te death. All this is new changed ; commo dious aud comfortable churches, with pealing organs, have taken the place of the old ones ; tbe simplicity of hospitality extended by the fatheis has given place te mere sumptuous entertainment by the sons. Whda in Philadelphia re cently he saw a sign which read, " Friends' Boek Stere," and in th -windows he saw pretty ptatvatrs and music. He went insula te see if his eyes deceived him, for Vie bad been brought up among Quakers and Methodists and he knew that both in elden times abjured pictures and music. Te his inquiry in regard te the innovation the Quaker bookseller merely said " the- world moves and we move with it," and se it is with the Meth odist church. The organ is no longer the devil's music box, but a noble instrument en which te sound the praises of Ged. Bishop Bewman told a number of amusing anecdotes about himself and ether preach ers, and concluded his discourse by say ing that he had long age made up his mind te eare nothing of what people said about "him ; te prepare himself for his work as well as he could, te perform it zealously and leave the result with Ged. 1 Tbe Preaching of tbe Fathers." This was the subject of an address by Rev. A.Johnsen, an impulsive, enthusiastic speaker, of Irish appearance, and who pre faced his remarks with the bull, that " he wanted te say one or two things before beginning." His address was an eloquent tribute te the fathers of the church from Wesley down. Their courage, their zeal, their sanetity, their fidelity, their un bounded faith and the ability with which they enforced the doctrines of the church, were highly eulogized. They were men of bright intellect, with knowledge of both men and books, who car ried the truth te every deer that was opened te them, and they opened doers that were closed against them. The overwhelming conviction of their hearts was that they bad nothing te de but te save souls. They climbed moun tains, forded rivers, penetrated canebreak?, preached in leg cabins, in by ways and highways everywhere their voices were heard like the blare of trumpets. They may have lacked training, but se did 'the apostles. Their enemies denounced them as ignorant ; the Phatisees said the Bame of the disciples. They are charged with having been ever-zealous ranters ; but Bishop Ames has said that " while angels whisper redeemed men must shout." They preached hi Ged's daylight, and their theme was the " Light of the world." They made no compromise with sin, but, as is said of a distinguished Laucas ter politician, they regarded "com promise as the American devil." Tiny understood theology and preached with manly grace, with cool heads and warm hearts, the doctrines of the atonement, remission of sin, justification, sanetifica tien, and eventual glorification. Their preaching had saved our frontiers from savages, had saved the nation from de struction ; their labors had leavened the American pulpit, had founded the Metho dist book concern, had started foreign missions and planted them from Green land te Patagonia, and their spirits are with us te greater victories. At the conclusion of Rev. Jehnsen's address, the hymn 1,078 was sung by the choir and congregation. The Philadelphia Conference" Rev. J. A Reche, D. D., of Brooklyn, was next introduced and delivered au ad dress. His theme was " The Philadelphia conference the classic ground of Ameri can Methodism." He said that it was with pleasure he accepted the invitation te be here en this interesting occasion ; he came as an humble son of tbe Philadelphia conference te render a grateful tribute te an honored father. As tbe traveler, while enjoying the beauties and attrac tions of foreign lands, cherishes the mem ory and delights of his native land, and even at the end of life's journey cherishes a desire te mingle bis ashes with the dust of his an cestors, se he feels bow that he is at feme in the midst of his brothers. The -v. i ' . p- Pkiladelphia oeaftreaee is the elassie groead of Amerieau Methodism ; it is dis tinguished as eee of tbe earliest aad the most fruitralnelds of labor ia the eaass ? as having beea the home aad honored by the confidence and co operation of the most distinguished citizens ; asoeataiaisg within its territory the meeting groans and council chamber of the most illustri ous men ever known iu American history ; as having been the arena of the most an cient exhibition of the zeal of the fathers of the church ; as being the field wherein have labored the most remarkable preachers and rulers of the Methedist church. The first of its great preachers, Themas Webb, who caught the first gleam of religious light from tbe apostle of Methodism, Jehn Wesley, was engaged with Gen. Wolfe at the battle of Quebec where he lest the right eye of his body, but the right eye of his soul re mained forever undimmed. Rebert Strawbridge,a naming herald of the truth, began his- labors within the limits of the Philadelphia conference. It was here that Themas Asbury and Whitney thrilled the multitude with their powerful preach ing ; the most illustrious, intelligent aad refined yielded te their influence and ral lied round tbe standard of Jesus with aa intensity of thought and feeling unknown before. The Philadelphia oenferenoewas the parent source from which New Yerk, New Jersey, Baltimore, Norfolk and Petersburg were supplied with preachers. Such being the origin of the Philadelphia conference it might well be termed elaaaie ground. It' was here that was exhibited and developed the full fruition of our re ligion. Here the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was first observed. Here Franeis Asbury, Richard Watts, Benjamin Adams, Jeseph Henry, Benj. Abbett, Wm. Penn Chandler, Thes. Webb and a host of ethers stupendous as giants labored and triumphed. Here is located the venerable St. Geerge's church, which for 113 years has steed as a monument of Methodism, from whose pulpit the most eminent ora tors have proclaimed tbe truth and be neath whose floors and altar sleep the ashes of the most blessed saints of the chureh. When he had sat en the platform of the confereneo room of St. Geerge's he had said within . himself " O holy spot I hew can I honor the place in which I have been honored by being allowed te preach;" where have lived and labored webb.ana Asbury, Eziekel Cooper, Solemon Sharpe, Bishop Scott and a host of ethers scarcely less eminent. Dr. Reche closed his ad . dress with a fervid peroration calling upon these living te show equal zeal in tbe cause left in their hands by the illustrious dead. election of Managers. The managers whose terms expire were then re elected, making the beard consist of the following persons, the first five of each class, clerical and lay, being these whose terms expired and who were re e!eeted last evening : Ministers J. B. McCulleugb, J. 8. Hughes. S. W. Themas, D. W. Gorden, T. B. Neely, G. W. Maclaugbin, W. M. Ridgway, M. D. Kurtz, J. S. J. McCon nell, T. S. Fernley, T. S. Themas, W. Swindells. G. W. Lybrand, T. C. Pearson, J. R. Tayler Gray. Laymen B. C. Hepper, B. Sohefleld, jr., J. Simmons, Themas May Peine, Jes. 11. Thornley. Jehn T. Scott, H. C. Shurt leff, H. M. Reading, H. Q. Nichelson, W. N. West, E. P. Smithers, James MoCan MeCan ley, T. O. Ncsbitt, Jehn Shalcress, L. S. Heins, R. A. Miller, J. A. Thompson, W. L. Bosnell. Providing the Funds. Brether Fernley then took the fleer and spoke humorously and pointedly in be half of a generous Methodist collection for the society. It was taken up. Alse St. Geerge's chureh, through its minister, subscribed $10 te make Dr. Reche a life member of the society ; and a like sum was made upbjrqdellar subscriptions te make Bishop .Bewman a life member. Beth gratefmlly' acknowledged the compli ment, the bishep-TCn.VA.t.hahe had supposed. Viimself te be a life 'membefer ttt the societies in the Methodist church. Reminiscences. Rev. Jas.Neill, a retired minister and new a member of the Pennsylvania Legislutuie, closed the exercises by a most entertaining address en " Forty Years Recollections of the Philadelphia Conference." He bas been a member of the chureh 52 years and knew a great deal about it, but the preced ing speakers had covered a great deal of the ground. Times have changed and the presiding elder new makes bis rounds at the lightning speed of 40 miles an hour, but the earlier days were net without their advantages. The preacher gen erally then bad tbe best horse. After a vivid contrast of the dimensions of Methodism fifty vears age, as contrasted with te day, the speaker indulged in a series of reminiscences of the old days, the old ways and the old preachers te which ' nothing but literal reproduction wenld de justice. His own first circuit was 200 miles around ; and his entertainment con sisted one. evening Jef sour buckwheat cakes and sage tea, and the next of saffron tea and buckwheat cakes. Mission collections were net a cent where they are new dol lars. After an address which greatly inter ested and oftentimes amused bis audience, Mr. Neill concluded with an avowal of his utter inability te de justice te the Phila delphia conference, like the Kentucky preacher who, in tryiug te picture Heaven te his Southwestern audience, summed it all up with the exclamation : "Well, it's a second Kentucky ! " One of Mr. Ne ill's best stories was that ence, when Bishop Bewman was young; and heard Brether Neill pieacb, he threw bis arms about his neck and said : " Oh ! Brether Neill, I wonder if I shall ever be able te preach a sermon like that." Bretl er Neil watched his turn, and when Brether Bewman was made ' a bishop he waited for ,bim in the vestibule of the church ; threw his arms about him and said : " Oh ! Brether Bewman, I wonder if I shall ever be a bishop like you." And then he felt ready te quit even With the doxology and benediction the audience was dismissed. OPJSMIMU OF CONFSKKNCE. a Organization Appointment or Committee Her. Clereland aad Unrrersaltesa. The 96th session of the Philadelphia conference commenced at 9 o'clock in the court house of this city, Bishop Bewman in the chair. Rev. J. A. Reche, D. D., of Brooklyn read a portion of the genpel of St. Jehn. The conferecea saag.the 785th hymn, and Dr. Reche led in prayer. Bishop Bewman made a brief address te conference, calling upenthe members toge te the work before them" in the fear and trust of .Ged, and called upon any members of this or ether conferences who have been forty years or mere in the ministry te come forward and partake of tbe sac rament of the Lord's supper from tbe Lord's table. Quite a number earns for ward and received from the bishop's hands the bread and wine, after which the . elements were carried by the elders, both e'ergy and laymeD, te these who knelt outside the bar, during which the hymn ''Forever here my rest shall be," and ether familiar hymns were sung, and brief addresses made by several of the elders. OrzaaJxlagv The roll of members was called by J. R. Tayler Gray, the secretary of last confer ence ; 151 members answered te their names. J. R. Tayler Gray was ea motion unani mously re elected secretary. Geetge W. Lybrand, assistant secretary for the past thirty years, was aemiaatsd for re-election, bat in a brief speesh ha resigned the position, aad was given a unanimous vale of taaaks for leaf faithfalssrvisss. - v Tas foDewiaf W k'j yi -,.ri;:?SK33?Se3eS2K;3 Jfege &mMsM,&iSm " g ' -a-i..,.,5 T i if if i jBtiNTlmsmsssmlmmlmsalll
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers