The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-04-22

The constituency and proceedings of a
Methodist Episcopal conference are, in
many respects, unlike the doiEgs and COM
position of any other religious body. 1t is
made up of preachers only. Some of these
are novitiates undergoing probation for
the rights and immunities of the itinerant
ministry, and subject to the direction of
the church. Some are candidates for the
orders of deacon and of elder; others are
aged, infirm, and come up to conference as
to an annual feast, while others are the
bone and sinew of the body. In order to
reach these orders and become component
members of the body, they must pass
through four years course of study and
reading that comprises wide range in his
tory, Secular and sacred) general litera-
ture, theology, and criticism. No matter
what the previous attachments, if any, how
extensive or how limited, all must be alike
subject to this ordeal The design of it Is
to make tolerably sure that the ministers be
at least creditably versed in much that is
essential to pulpit and social usefulness,
and that in doctrine they be IN reasonable
harmony. Whatever dvcrsites may exist
with Independent thinkers, within the
range of speculative theology, it is a nota-
BILE fact that in the essentials of sound BIZ
blical knowledge and in Wesleyan Armeni-
anism there is among Methodist ministers,
the world over, beautiful and pliable har-
niony.
The presidency of Methodist confer
ence is with the Episcopacy-thc bishop
having no other authority or power, how
ever, than to preside, to decide questions
of law and order, and, in the intervals of
the daily sessions, to arrange the postorates
for the ensuing year. In this very delicate,
difficult and important work he is assisted
by the invited counsels of the presiding
elders and from such other sources as a
wise man will always try to find. And
yet, take the country over there will not be
found, in the general, greater freedom OF
action, greater harmony, nor greater unani-
nifty in the church, between the laity and
ministry than in this exactng system. No
| church, however feeble, is wit bout a
preacher. No preacher, however mex
| perienced, is without field of labor. Nc
churches are unsupplied. No ministers
are out Of employ.
In these conferences the character and
| efficiency of each and every preacher is
subject to an examination, so that he can.
not run wild more than one year without
being liable to scrutiny and possible ar
rest. In these gatherings are brought TO-
gelher all and the varied statistics of the
church, embracing every item that may
fairly represent the strength and power OF
the same. The fullness and accuracy Of
these several items often show the skill
and power of the minister as also his gener
al adaptation to his work in this b"anch OF
the universal church.
| Connected with the church are many
benevolent organizations which have theil
auxillaries in each conference. These
branch societies hold their anniversaries
during the session of conference, are Otter
addressed by strangers who make then
specialtles with them as general agents o.
secretaries. But to the religious publ,
the Sabbath during conference is usually
the great day. The preachers enjoy i
none the less. From morning to nigh
some service is accessible At the usua
hour of morning service the presiding
bishop breaches and then ordains the dea
cons. In the afternoon some visiting di
vine breaches, and then the elders are or
dained. Seldom does any house of wor
ship hold all who wish TO hear and SCI
these services. But in Glen's Fall
the accommodations will be ample. Thu
audience room of the M. f. church will
seat / 900 persons The Presbyterian will
be open and will seat 600, and the Baptis
will be at the service of the conference
and will seat 800. In case of necessity tn
Opera house, that will scat 1000, can b.
used.