The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-09-24
McGREGOR, SEPT. "a, 80: 1862

Methodist Conference.
The 9TH session Of the Upper Iowa Con
ference was held at McGregor commenc.
ing Wednesday Sept. 10th, and adjourning
Monday evening, 10Th. Bishop James pre-
sided, and Rev's r. W. Keelsr, G. G. Trus-
dell, d. c. Works, and F. w. Paxton, off
ciated as Secretaries.
This body includes all the Methodist trav-
cling preachers in Iowa north of line
running from the Mississippi river at Da-
venport, west to the Missouri, and numbers
about $50 members. At these conferences
al the ministers receive their appointments
to fields Of labor for the ensuing year.
The list of appointments for the present
year was published in this paper last week. J
The morning Of each days session was
occupied by the general business Of the
Conference. The afternoon session was oc-
cupied by the various committees, and con-
sultations of the bishop with the presiding
elders with reference to the arrangement of
the stations for the preachers. The even
ings were devoted to religious services, and
the anniversaries Of the various societies
connected with the conference, such as
Missionary, Sunday School, etc. The re.
ports of the societies for the past year were
presented, and the exercises were found to
be very interesting. Thursday evening was
the Missionary anniversary, at which time
it was reported that there had been collect
ed during the past year about twenty y.three
hundred dollars.
On Sabbath religious exercises were held
in the grove, in the 'brick. yard coulee. -
Bishop James preached in the forenoon from
Romans XII, l:2, and We can only say in
brief that it was clear, concise, practical,
and earnest exhibition of truth, worthy of
the Office which the speaker held. Ocr cit
izens will not soon forget the impressions
made by that eloquent sermon. After this
service, thirteen young men, members of
the conference, were ordained to the office
Of deacon.
In the afternoon at o'clock, Rev. DR..
Harris, Missionary Secretary Of the church,
preached practical and eloquent sermon
after which twelve were ordained to the Of
fec of elder. These ordination services
were new to most Of our citizens and were
very impressive.
In the evening, r. w. Keeler preached
in the Congregational, and Rev. r. L. Col
lier in the Methodist churches.
On Monday the vote on lay representa-
ton was taken as follows: for lay repre-
sentation, 35; against same, 6s. The vote
Of the society Of the church, which had been
taken through the year, was reported as
follows for lay representation, 5o2 !;
against, 1852.
Seven young men were admitted to the
conference, this being all they could pro-
vide places for.
The following report on the state of tho
country was unanimously adopted: The
resolutions breathe the spirit Of earnestness
but are similar to the views Of the most rad
ical abolitionists:
Wheuas, We as ministers Of the gospel
of Christ have been taught from our child.
hood to regard civil government as great
blessing, and our support Of it solemn
duty, and believing that our fathers insti.
tuted and handed down to US the best form
Of government on earth, and that We would
be recreant to our highest and d. arest in,
tercsts should we withhold our active sup
port from it in this time Of its greatest per-
il, therefore,