Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-03-26

The METHoDIsT CoNFERENCE.-The seventy
third session of the New England annual confer
ence will be held in this city at Trinity church,
corner of Main and Chandler streets, beginning
on Wednesday morning at nine O'Clock, and
continuing through the greater part of n week.
These meetings Of the conference are found to
be of growing importance as the numbers and
influence of the denomination increase. For
merry they were mostly devoted to the
consideration of matters strictly religious,
and having special reference TO the ex-
tension of work of the church, but now atten-
ton is given to all the vital questions of the
day. The New England conference has been
especially noted as having occupied advanced
ground with regard to the agitation of the anti
Slavery reform, the temperance cause the lay
delegation question, the cause of higher denOm-
national education anda variety of minor issues
Of less Importance to the general public. The
morning meetings are usually devoted to the
routine business Of the conference, while the af-
ternoon and evenings are given up to the
anniversary exercises connected with the several
enterprises in which the church is interested
Occasional sermons are preached during the
week upon leading topics by the prominent men
of the conference, who are appointed year be-
iorehand Among Others who will render this
service this year, are Rev. G. Haven, editor of
the lions Herald of Boston, Rev. Mark Trafton
and Others. The present session is of more
than usual interest, from the fact that four Of its
members complete half century of ministerial
service, and an afternoon Thursday has been
set apart for their rehearsal OF the experiences
through which they have passed in this pro-
tracted labor These men are still splendid
specimens Of genuine New England stock, and
with one exception enjoying a vigorous old age.
IN the carly period of their ministry they were
itneranls sc of the word, and
in the pursuit o. sSPu oc Travelled on
horseback over the larger is thfde entire six
eastern States preaching from six to ten times
per week, in school houses, private dwell.
ings, barns and in the open air.
Many are anticipating that considerable
excitement will arise il, as is now expected
Mrs. Van Colt shall make application to be re-
ceived into the conference and elected to dea-
cons orders This woman is somewhat noted
"revyalist," peculiar, and perhaps eccentric,
who has been permitted by the regular author
ties to preach, and now has desire to receive or.
dlnation, so that she may be qualified to baptize
and perform other functions pertaining to the
ministerial office. This session will also be
memorable from the fact that il is the first
IN which lay delegates have been present. They
do not now really form part of the conference,
but are rather an independent convention of lay
men made up of single representative from
each society of viii oh the conference is com.
posed, in all very nearly two hundred. They
Will hold their meeting at two O'Clock Friday
afternoon, when, after organization and other
preliminary business, they will proceed TO elect
by ballot two men who shall represent them in
the general conference of the whole church
to be held in Brooklyn, N. Y, in NAV.
These lay delegates will be regular members If
this general conference, which is the highest
legislative authority of the church, and the FIRST
in the history OF the NJ. +. Church, in which law.
men have regularly and officially participated.
Bishop Ames, who will preside at the present