The Portland daily press., 1872-04-16
Maine Annual Conference.

Reported for the Press
--s-..sr "a GARDINER, April, 10, 1872.
The Law Electoral Conference met at two
o'clock to chose two delegates to attend the
General Conference. Various Committees were
appointed. Hon. VIM Deering of Portland,
and f. A. Plaisted of Gardiner, were elected
as delegates, and Chandler Beale of Augusta,
and j. NJ Heath of Portland, reserve delegates.
The Committee on Resolutions adopted by the
Lay Conference, renewing their expressions of
fealty to the church, endorsing lay representa-
ton, and declaring their belief in the itinerant
ministry and the principle of superintendent
by Presiding Elders; in favor of the union of
the various Methodist bodies, North and South.
In the evening special session of the Con-
ference was held for an interview with the
Electoral Conference. The Committee APP
pointed by that body was introduced to the
Bishop and he addressed them at length in a
very able manner, heartily endorsing this great
modification of the Methodist church govern
ment and predicting the most gratifying results
therefrom.
SATURDAY MORNING.
Rev. D b. Randall, chairman of the Com
mittee on the Presiding Eldership, presented
a report which elected a lengthy and animated
discussion. - e..rssrr
The following resolutions presented by that
Committee were adopted: e..
RESOLVED That our delegates to the General
Conference be instructed to use their efforts to
secure such a change in the discipline that the
Presiding Elder shall not serve more than four
successive years in that Office, and shall not be
again eligible to that office until the expiration
of eight years. -
Resolued- the Presiding Eldership should
be missionary in its character, we recommend
that provision be made in the arrangement of
the work so as to allow the Presiding Elders to
visit those places that most need his services.
and not feel himself obliged to visit quarterly
every station and circuit in his district.
The Sunday School Committee presented a
report, recommending that one-half day each
Sabbath be devoted to the Sunday School; sane
tioning State, county and town conventions;
advising the use of maps and charts in our
schools, &c. The report was adopted.
Various other Standing Committees reported.
In the evening an enthusiasts temperance
meeting was held, when Mr.. J. X. Osgood of
the Gardiner Reform Club, DR.. Haven of Bos-
ton, and others, spoke.
saa SUNDAY MORNING g39a5
The church was filed to its utmost capaoity
at 9 clock. The Conference Love Feast, I'M
der the direction of Geo. Weber, d. d., was a
season of great interest and scriptural power
The Bishop was unable to preach, owing to
WEAKNESS caused by his incessant labors. Rev.
G.. Haven, ID. D., preached powerful and eff
fective sermon founded upon the 9th chapter of
st. John, at the conclusion of which Peter E.
Norton, Chas. X. Evans and David Church
were ordained Deacons
In the afternoon Rev. j. Luce preached an
excellent sermon from Numbers, 11-29, after
which, j. M. Howes, j. III. PiIlsbury, G. j.
Clark, j. e. Budden, s. III. Maron, d. Hallison,
A Cook, j. A. Struut 8. ID. Brown, H. Crock
EFT, G. Lambert and L. b. Green were ordained
Elders. A39H e8ssa sTszessGi4
The pulpits of the various churches in the
city were acceptably filled by members of the
Conference.
In the evening the Missionary Anniversary
at the church was well attended and the con-
gregation manifested much interest in the ex-
ercises. Rev. E. Robinson presided The
. speakers were K. Atkinson, CD. Clark, -.
Hamilton AID DR. g. Haven. ss -
At johnson Hall large and enthusiastic
meeting was held under the auspices of the Re-
form Climb. A large number of the ministers
of the Conference were present Several per-
sons presented themselves as seekers of religion,
among whom were j. X. Gsgood and others,
who have been prominently identified with the
temperance reform 1t was a meeting of great
spiritual power that win be long remembered
by all who were present.
MONDAY MORNING.
7 The Conference assembled at 8 O clock. The
devotional exercises were conducted by Rev.
Noah Hobart.
The Committee ON Memoirs presented an
obituary of the late Samuel w. Russell, de-
ceased during the past year. As = A
Delegates were chosen to the various denomin-
ations that had sent their representatives to the
Conference, and resolution was passed ex
pressing its joy at the reports of prosperity from
other sects.
Rev. j. Luce was appointed to preach the an
nual missionary sermon at the next session
with Rev. K Atkinson. ei~ a@a@s
The following appointments of preachers
was announced: ~ + F&g YFFEF &
=-a E - PORTLAND DISTRICT %
Presiding Elder-Aaron Sanderson RI
Portland Chestnut street and Allen Mission-Israel
Luce. 6AE48a B1Sa IL
Portland Pine street-D. II. Hannabergh. Il
Ia Is % Congress street-To be supplied. GO