The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-10-30
nre,i,odist Conference.

The Conference resumed its session at 81
o'clock yesterday morning. The meeting open
ed with brief season of religious experiences
At the close of these services Rev. Mr.. Hanna
burg of the Pine street Methodist church. offer
ed the following resolutions, which were adopt
ed:
In view of the urgent demand for earnest
Christian work in many places now destitute in
the Portland District, we as District Confer
'ence, wonld recommend as follows:
1st, That the presiding elder devote as much
time as possible organizing such mission work
and in assisting the feeble societies as can be
consistent with the least possible amount of
visiting quarterly conferences and larger
churches.
I'd, That joint meeting of the official boards
of the three NJ e. churches of Portland be call
ed to consider what can be done to advance the
cause of Christ and the church in the suburbs
of the city, believing that the combined talent
and zeal of the brethren would arrange suitable
plans.
Sd, That similar joint meeting of the off
cial boards of Biddeford and Saco be held.
4th, That in view of the restitution existing
in the suburbs of our city and village appoint
ments in this district, it is expedi ent to give
onc-haf of our Sabbath ministry to mission
work in those destitute places.
The subject Of having but one service on the
Sabbath was then discussed by Revs. Messrs.
Zimmerman, Munger, M ltchell and Fletcher.
The majority fully endorsed the idea. The
opinion was that on sermon was as much as
the people can well digest. Rev. Mr.. Fletcher
was of the opinion that the Holy Ghost could
back up two sermons as we'll as one.
Another very warm debate followed upon the
propriety of giving license to Sister Welcome
to preach. as it was thought by some that she
entertained Advent principles. Revs. Messrs.
Stevens, Munger, Ptblado and others, took
part in the discussion, which gave rise to the
topic of woman's rights. The above gentlemen
thought that if a woman has the taleu and is
anxious to advance the cause of Christ no obsta-
Gle should hinder her from preaching.
1t was shown that Mrs. Welcome had passed
a satisfactory examination before the committee
and was firm as a rock upon the faith of the
i,tethodist church, and so ardent was her desire
n nroa oh Christ hat she separated at one time
from bo- h ~sband because he was opposed to
her preaching, he being believer in the Ad-
vent doctrine One gentleman stated that she
would like to convert al to the faith of Jesus.
Mr. Morse reada paper upon the work of
the Woman's Foreign Missionary society, and
Mrs. Geo. Taylor of this city, read several very
interesting letters upon the missionary WORK
being accomplished by ladies working un'er
the auspices of the Methodist church in India.
The following resolutions were offered by
Rev. Mr.. Hamburg:
Whereas, The Foreign Missionary Society of
the Methodist Episcopal church has received
tho official recognition of the General Confer
ence as an efficient agency in the spread OF the
gospel, and
Whereas The Maine Annual Conference has,
by resolution, recommended the formation of
auxiliaries in as many of our societies as posi-
bic. therefore
ResoLued That we, members OF the Dis
trict Conference hearth Iy approve of the forma-
Hier of auxiliary societies in connection with
each one of our churches, and we will use our
influence TO bring about the result
The resolutions we're adopted. The following
preachers were licensed: Mary D. Welcome,
Woodbury. Merrill, Clarence Fl. Ward.
paper was read by Rev. s. +. Wesherbee
upon church benefciaries Rev. Mr. Ladd
acted as Secretary this forenoon