The Portland daily press., 1874-05-07
BY TELEGRAPH.
MATTERS In MAINE.
East Maine Methodist Conference,

East Maine Methodist Conference.
BELFAST, May 6.-The East Maine Method
list Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
church commenced in this city to-day. Bsbon
E. S. Jane of New York, presided, and large
number OF ministers are In attendance.
The Lowell Murder Case.
LEWISTON, May6-This afternoon in the case
NJ James ~: Lowell, convicted of wife murder
at the Japaary term, the ccnnsel for the respon-
dent Withdrew the exceptions then made to the
verdict The prisoner was brought into court
and Judge Walton sentenced him to he he hanged.
Maine Conference.
BIDDEFoRD, May 6.-The fifth session of the
Maine Conference was opened in the Method-
list church in this city this morning at o'clock
by Bishop Simpson.
The oopferenoe was opened by the Bishop
who read the sd chapter of Isaiah and the
7o7th hymn, commencing care we yet alive,
&c Prayer was then offered by S. Allen aud
Z. Robinson. After some very impressive re-
Tarks by the Bishop he proceeded with the ad-
minstratlon of the Lords Supper. assisted by
the presiding elder and Others
AT the close of the Sacrament service,9P
Jaques, the Secretary of last year, called the
Conference roll and about one hundred answer
ed to their names. Two, r. j. Aver and VIM.
Wyman, have died during the year. Rev P.
Jaques was, on nomination, reelected Seere-
tary and Rev. G. ]. Clark Assistant Secretary
Rev. K. Atkinson was appointed Statistical
Secretary and Rev. A. w. Pottle Financial
Secretary.
s. f. Wetherbee, l. Lord and w. H. Foster
were elected Stewards and the presiding elder
nominated the usual committees.
The Conference voted to meet at eight O clock
in the morning and adjourn at IL m.
An invitation was received from the Boston
and Maine Railroad to accept the free excur-
sion to Old Orchard and return Friday after.
noon. The Conference voted to accept the in
vitation and celebrate the occasion as Oenten-
NAL, and Committee was appointed to ar
range programme and secure speakers for the
occasion. Revs. !. Luce, A. S. Ladd, S. f.
Wetherbee, were appointed committee on
public worship. Rev. David Copeland, one of
the early presiding elders of the Maine Confer
ence, for many years absent in the West, was
warmly welcomed once more in our conference,
and w. f. Harrington of the Providence Con-
ference, appeared in the Conference. Under
the 10th questions, the character of effective
elders on Portland district was examined and
all were favorably reported by 1. Luce, the pre-
siding elder.
The various reports from the charges shew
that the past year has been one of more than
usual prosperity, and the monies collected for
benevolent enterprises are much in excess of
last year.
DR. Weber, presiding elder, represented the
Gardiner district as in growing, prosperous
condition and the preachers in his district were
favorably represented.
This afternoon was devoted to the Sunday
School anniversary. Rev. S. Jaques of Hallow-
ell, Pierce of Boston editor of Zion's Herald),
Jones of Gardiner, and others speaking, with
singing by the children.
This evening was devoted to church extern
sion.
The attendance for the first day is large, the
church being well filled.