The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-04-22
vi aine Conference.


Conference Sunday was day of much in
terest. In the morning Bishop Simpson
preached from Rom. 1, 16: 81 am not ashamed
Of the Gospel, &C." The theme presented was
"The power of the Gospel" No mere sketch
can do justice to the sermon. The large house
of the Congregationalists which was kindly of
fered for the occasion, was thronged and many
remained standing during the entire service.
After the sermon eight men were ordained as
deacGns.
In the afternoon DR.. Warren preached in
the Methodist church from text in Psalms
"a: lift up your heads, &c." The house was
so thronged that could only get a standing
place on the stairs, and could hear but little.
1t is spoken of as a sermon of great power. At
its close two were ordained as elders in the
church.
Most of the pulpits in the place, were by re-
quest filed during the day by members of the
conference.
The collections of the day for the sunerannu-
ated amounted to nearly one hundred dollars
IN both congregations.
MoNDAY-sIXTH DAY. ...#-
Conference opened this morning with relig-
ious services conducted by G. f. Allen.
The Preachers Aid Society and Conference
Steward made their reports and distributed
the money of the conference for the various
benevolent enterprises.
Resolutions of thanks were presented to the
people of Brunswick and to the railroads for
courtesies received by the conference
Adjourned to o'clock p. m.
This afternoon E. Robinson opened the con-
ference with religious services.
The Committee en- Temperance reported
The report recognized prohibition as the only
ground on which we can work with hope OF
success.
The report excited much interest and discus
sion. 1t was finally amended by striking out
a clause censuring Gov. Chamberlain for de-
clining to preside at the State Temperance
Convention held in Augusta last winter.
The report of the Committee on Law Dele
cations was taken up.
DR.. Vail took the lead in favor of a change
in the government of the church and spoke for
an hour and half in favor of lay delegation
Adjourned TO o'clock in the evening"
EVENING SESSION.
Religious services by C. Fuller.
The report on lay delegation was taken up
G. Munger moved q substitute for the resolu-
tions substantially as follows:
This conference has no evidence that our
people wish for lay delegation in the General
Conference, and we are opposed to the farther
agitation of this subject by our ministers
Should our General Conference to be held in
Chicago the first of May, find that such 4
change is demanded by our people, our dele
gates are hereby instructed to oppose the adop-
ton of any such plan change, till it shall
have been first approved bv constitutional
majority of all the annual conferences and OF
the membership.
G. Munger spoke in favor of the substitute
with much power, showing the dangerous ten
dency of innovation in this direction from the
history of the past.
The substitute was adopted by very large
majority, showing most clearly that we are not
ready yet for any such change.
At ten o'clock we were addressed in a most
impressive manner by the Bishop, and A. San
derson conducted the closing religious ser
vices. The Bishop then read from the Book
of Destiny" the appointments and the confer
ence concluded with the Doxology and bene-
dction. ....
1t has been most pleasant and harmonious
session and the most ample accommodation
has been provided by the people of all denomi-
nations in this place. May the blessing of God
rest upon them
The list of delegates to the General Confer
ence should be I'll. P Torsey, c. Munger, J.
Colby, c. f. Allen. P. Jacques and S. f.
Wetherbee, Reserves. SEW.