Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-06-22
The New England Methodist Episco'
pal Convention.

The New England Methodist Episco-
pal Convention.
Messrs. Editors Please allow me
thro' your columns, to communicate
to the members of the NJ. E. Church,
and to all others interested in the glo-
rious work of the Lord, brief sketch
Of the New England Centenary Ami
versary of American Methodism.
For the first time in the history OF
our branch of Zion, the Methodists of
New England, met in convention at
Boston, last week on Tuesday, and
continued their session three days
The number of Methodist churches
within the bounds Of the convention,
New England is nine hundred and
ten; and the number of delegates en-
titled to represent them was eighteen
hundred and twenty; each church be-
ing represented by clergyman and a
lay delegate. The object of this great
gathering of Zion was not to occasion
any change in the long, cherished and
successful systems Of the church, nor
to alter any of its creeds or doctrines,
so tenaciously held and stoutly de-
Tended by the Fathers; but to begin
the first centenary year of American
Methodism; to promote more thor
ough acquaintance throughout this
portion of our church; to devise new
plans for future conquests; to intro
duce, if need be, new agencies for the
more successful prosecution of our
glorious work, and to give a mutual
conviction, and evince to all, that we
are enthusiastic to enter anew the
great arena of spiritual conflict, and
battle nobly for the triumph OF our
Redeemer on earth.
The convention met on Tuesday
morning at ten o'clock, in Grace
Church, on Temple ST., and the beauti
full and spacious edifice was filled il
every part, by delegates and visitors
The convention was called to order
by Mr.. Liverns Hull, of CharlestOwn
the chairman of the Committee O.
arrangements. The exercises began
by singing the 70S hymn, by the whole
congregation, and by prayer, after
which h e following officers were
chosen:
President, Hon. VIM. Clafin, o
Newton; Vice Presidents, His Excel
lency, Paul Dillingham;, of VT, Hon
Jacob Sleeper, of Boston, Lee Clahin
Esq, of Hopkinton, Isaac Rich, Esq.
of Boston, Hon. Benz. Pitmar, of New
Bedford, David Snow, Of Boston, j. }
Perry, of Oxford, Me-, DR.. W. Prescott
of Concord, n. H., D. E. Clark, o
Portland, Judge W. J. Hastings, o
Craftsbury, VT, Rev. DR.. James Pan
ker, of New York, Rev. Joseph Cum
mings, of Middletown, Conn, Pro-
Johson, L. L. D., of Middletown, Rev
J. W. Merrill, of Concord, n. H., Rev
DR.. Nelson Cobleigh, of Boston, Rev
P. Townsend of Mansfield, Rev Elish
Adams, of Concord, n. H., Rev. A. L
, Merrill, of Cambridge, Hon. Wn
McGilvray, of Searsport, Me-, Rev. I
Pratt, of Rockland, Rev. II. Eastman
Of Guiiford, Conn.
Secretaries. Rev. E. 2. Manning, {
: South Boston, Rev. NJ. J. Talbot, {
= Conn, Rev. J. w. Gurnsey, of n. Fl
t Rev. [. Luce, Of Vt, Rev. A. MorS,
of Me-, Rev. B. S. Avery, Of East Me.
all the present Secretaries of Confel
ences, and Revs. J. G. Cowly, c. {
, Mason and J. P. Magee.
There was a Committee chosen o
f Religious services, and one on bus
2 ness.
On Statistics, Revs. D. Dorcheste
S. W. Coggshall, Eleazer Smith, 4
G. Butler, E. A. Helmershansen, 4
Moore.
: Also there was Committee chose
2 on Finance. Following the complet
= organization Of the meeting, Rev. NJ
: Mcdonald, Pastor Of Grace churcl
/ delivered a most cordial, thrilling, an
: beautiful address ofwelcome, in whic
: were saidvery many fine and eloquer
: things. The Convention then at
/ journed to fremont Temple, at tw
o'clock, P. NJ. As the Convention II
, assembled in fremont Temple, it wa
: largely increased in numbers, man
2 more clergymen and delegates havin
: arrived in the city, on the early train;
< There was a session of the Conver
: ton on each forenoon, afternoon an
2 evening, till Thursday evening, whe
the Convention lad a grand festiva
/ its final meeting, in Music Hall.
| During the several sessions of tn
Convention at the Temple, the follow
ing Essays were read and discussed b
members of the Convention, and Wis
tors from various parts of the country
The first essay which came before th
/. Convention, was one read by Rev
5 George Weber, of the Maine Confel
/ ence, which was on "The importanc
D of more systematic efforts to strength
en- the weak places in our Zion, an
/ to extend the Gospel to new field
e among US. Would not areturn to th
t circuit system, in some portions of on
work, be beneficial to both the tempo
), raj and spiritual interests of th
|, church ?" The well written and abb
e paper was followed by several shor
=, but spirited speeches, all of whicl
u more or less favored a return to tn
usages of earlier days in regard t
). the weak places in our work. Th
second essay was by Rev. J. Thurstol
y of the N. FL. Conference, npon "Hom
e and Sunday-school instruction, in til
b doctrines and usages of the church
: This essay was short, but full {
+ thought, and valuable suggestions
) 1t was followed by spirited and abl
= speeches. The third essay was frol
s the able pen of S. M. Vail, DID,, o