The Portland daily press., 1866-05-17
Methodist Conference at Lewiston.
Reported for the Daily Press.
TIJESnAY CONTINIrFn


The Committee on the State of the Coun
try, reported the following preamble and reso
lutions:
Whereas, One Of the most desolating bloody war;
known in the worlds history was inaugurated an.
prosecuted by Southern rebels, aided by Northern
treason and Northern sympathy, and Whereas, tn,
loyal people of the country immense sacrifice hav
subdued the rebellion by the strong of the mill
tary power, ani Whereas, 1t is the duty Of all good
and loyal citizens 10 give expression to their senti
ments and opinions when great and vital question.
affecting the interests the country are before thu
American ne )ple, therefore,
ReSOtUed, That we render 10 Almighty God our de.
vout gratitude and thanksgiving for his divine inter.
position in behalf OF beloved country in leading
our armies through The terrible pers of gigantic
bellion, and finally bringing them off victorious
o traltorous foe. M tt.-.
Resotred, That rejoice over the great fact that
the of the rebellion, under God and through the
instrumentality OF Abraham Lincoln, abolished
throughout our entire country that sum of all vii
lanies"-Amercan slavery, and gave liberty to four
millions of human beings hitherto held in cruel bond
age deprived Of every right secured by the Constitu
ton to American citizens.
Resoired, That we cherish with the most profound
respect and undying affection the memory If tina,
great and good man, Abraham Lincoln--that VIC more
than ever deplore his sudden tragic death by the
hand of Confederate assassin, and irreparable
less of him as Chief Magistrate of the nation.
Resotced That in the judgment of this Conference
the people of the revoted States should be
instated in their political rights or taken back into
the Union States until they honorably and in good
tath repudate their treason to all the people
equal civil and poiticai rights and furnish ample and
sufficient guarantees for their future LOYALTY to the
Government of the United States.
ResoIved That the noble, patriotic stand taken by
the American Congress to shut out treason and re-
bellion from Its legislative halls, and to to all
persons their just and lawful rights under the Con-
stituton, meets our entire appreciation, and we
thank its members for triumphantly passing the
Civil Rights Bill the veto of a President
whose restoration policy receives support and sympa-
thy from the men who rejOiced at the defeat of the
federal arms and mourned and lamented when victo-
Aesotced, That as evidence Of the loyalty and pat
riotism of our own beloved Church, we can proudly
point to the great historical fact that the Methodist
Episcopal Church furnished more men for the Union
armies than any other religious denomination in the
Union, while upon every battle-teld sleep the fallen
heroes who left their church, their homes and their
all to de for God and their country. T'7F'
Iesot0ed, That we believe in tho Andrew johnson
OF 1861 and 1862 and still honor the patriotic stand
assumed ard maintained in the United States Senate
at the commencement of the rebelion-that we still
respect his able and efficient services in behalf OF our
country during the perls of the war-but never can
endorse the reconstruction policy shadowed forth in
his veto messages and speeches, for We believe its
adoption would be disastrous to the best interests
the country, and dsgraceiul surrender to enemy
we fought iour years to conquer
The report was accepted, and the resolu-
tons We're adopted. The Conference then
adjourned till 2 p. m.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
The Conference opened with religious SER
vices by Rev. III. b. Abbott. The session was
occupied mainly in considering the report of
the committees. The report upon Lay repre-
CATION was taken up and motion was made
and adopted to indefinitely postpone the whole
subject. The Conference at three or four
previous sessions has resolved that 1--WE are in
favor OF Lay representation whenever our peo-
pie desire it." The General Conference pres
ented the subject to our people and requested
them to vote upon it and by large majority
the Laity voted against it, thereby indicating
that they did not desire any more representa-
ton in the business Of the church than they
already have, feeling that they have already as
much voice in the affairs of the church as in
sister churches of other denominations and in
some instances more. The Conference felt
and indicated by their action that it was not
necessary to agtate the subject further. When
the people ask for change they are more than
ready to grant it.
Some incidents ia the afternoon session
were of peculiar interest. Rev. II. Nickerson
who has been for forty years in the active
work OF the ministry, was obliged by failing
health to retire and take a superannuated re-
lation. He has failed to secure for himself
anything to fall back upon in old age. The
Conference and brethren present 1et that
they ought to give him some token of their af-
fection, to aid him in his infirmity and the
sum OF $35O.00 was collected and pledged in
avery few moments. A collection was also
taken for the Sexton of the church, and col
lection for the incidental expenses of the Sec
retary.
Thanks were voted to the good people of
Lewiston and Auburn for our entertainment; !;
to the several religious denominations for
their catholicity in inviting us to their pulpits
to the railroad superintendents for reduction
in fare, &c.
After very interesting addresses by Bishops
James and Ames, the appointments were read
by the latter, and the Conference adjourned.
APPOINTMENTS.
DO n L