The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-04-12
Maine Annual Conference,
Reported for the Press
GARDINER, April, II, 1S7.

GARDINER, April, IL, 1872.
Yesterday afternoon and evening were devoted
to the exercises of the Sunday School anniver-
sary.
The speakers In the afternoon were Rev. p.
Jaques of Skowhegan, the chairman of the
meeting, Revs. c. Munger, ID. H. Hannabergh,
w. S. Jones and E. R.fDrummondsEsq.,o of Wa
terville.
The speakers of the evening were Revs o.
NJ Cousens, s. F. Wetherbee, John Allen and
A. S. Ladd. 1883
Not little disappointment was expressed by
the people at the failure of DIR. Vincent to put
in an appearance.
One of the enjoyable features of the after
noon meeting was the admirable singing by the
children. sf snaza
THURSDAY MORNING.
The religious exercises of the first hour were
led by Rev. E. Robinson and were very inter-
esting in their character. -.
. At 8 o'clock the roll was called by the Secre-
tary. e. 8 Bss@ a'eu
The 18th question of the minutes was resum-
ed. Rev. J. Colby reported favorably concern
the elders passed M
Took up the 4th question: Who are the Dea-
cons? The characters of Chas j. Clark, Dan
iel Halleron, o. H. Stevens, S. D. Brown, E.
Gerry, Jr., I. G. Sprague, J. H. Pillsbury,
Henry Crockett and D H. Hannabergh were
passed.
Took up 5th question: "Who have been
elected and ordained Elders this year?" j. A.
Strout, J. 81. Pillsbury, j. NJ Halves, j. E.
Budden, c. j. Clark and d. Halleron were
elected.
Took up the Sd question: ssWho are admit
ted into full connecticut" James Fl. Mason,
David Church, Chas. X. Evans, John P. Cole
and Henry Crockett were called forward
The Bishop propounded the usual disciplin-
airy questions and then addressed the class and
conference concerning the Christian Passionate.
We regret that we cannot give the Bishops ad-
dress in full as our very brief report will by no
means convey a correct idea of its worth.
He remarked that a cherished doctrine of our
church is that men do not take upon themselves
the ministerial Office but are moved to it by the
Holy Ghost, and called of God as distinctly as
was Aaron. This doctrine formerly had prom
inence in our preaching and was often referred
to in our prayer meetings. The speaker feared
that less importance was attached to his doc
trine now than formerly. The work of select
ing ministers is now largely turned over to our
institutions of learning. The time was when
mothers consecrated their children to the work
and prayed God to call them into the ministry,
and trained them with this end In view. 4
Too much stress is laid upon an educated
ministry. Our presiding elders and preachers
do not give the attention that they ought
to this matter. He called to mind 1.-THE shock
that passed through him when his pastor first
asked him if he did not feel that the Lord had
work for him to do.
If we would go back to the old method there
would be less lack of ministers and fewer neg
lected places in the Maine Conference. This
Conference is fruitful of ornamental exports
but the work within its own bounds suffers
from lack of preachers. IT Maine is good
enough to be born In, it is good enough to die
in IT It Is good enough to be converted and
receive call in it is good enough to continue
our ministry in. 80.
He would have exhorters sent out to the
people to live among them. If they could not
get an adequate support let them work part
of the time. If they needed clothing let them
stop preaching and make tents to earn it and
then preach again. That is the apostolic meth
cd, and we want men with this stuff in them.
God will bless such men In their work and in
their preaching. f
He would not depreciate education when it
comes in the order of God. Education does
not necessarily elevate man above the work
to which he is called, but 1t is very apt to-
Wesley could work among the colliers and
make them feel that he sympathized with
them. Education should not lead us to neglect
the poor to whom the Gospel is to be preached.
He wants the rich to be saved but not in such a
way as to exclude the poor 1t the churches in
their present condition will not accommodate
the poor then We should build galleries for
them. There is to much of that spirit in the
church which leads man to say mo sinner
can come to Jesus through my pew.-its mine. !"
He would not have camp meetings located at
fashionable watering places, but I'M poor neg
lected localities.
Addressing the class more particularly he
hoped they had literary culture He was more
anxious that their hearts should be cultured.
He exhOrted them to be careful in their man
ners and to study human nature that it might
be effective. Cultivate sympathy for the peo-
pie so that it may be exhibited in book and eye,
in gesture and in tones of voice.
He exhorted them to take care of their ply
steal health. Industry won't hurt it. If you
have a little strength keep going, observing the
laws OF health in the meantime. More minis
tiers die of laziness than of hard work-they
die not because they are active, but because
they violate the laws of health. Be monarchs
over yourselves, govern your habits OF eating,
sleeping and study. Take care of your health
and keep your hearts with all diligence
The Bishop concluded his most earnest and
effective address, by invoking the blessing of
Heaven upon the class. 1915
1t was voted that the preachers present the
substance of the Bishops address to the peO-
pie of their charges on the first Sabbath of the
Conference year.
The first question was taken up: "Who are
admitted on trial? Richard Vivian, James
Nixon, Jr, Alden f. Chase, James w. Smith,
Peter E. Norton and Charles w. Averill were
admitted. -4
Mr.. GREELEY IN A NEW CHARAcrER-The