The Portland daily press., 1877-04-28
Maine Methodist Conference.

Baldwin.
His text was Ezekiel Az 2, and the theme
was "Christianity-its source and triumphs.'
1t was an earnest presentation of the truth,
elciting the attention and sympathy of his
hearers.
The anniversary of the Womans' Foreign
Missionary Society occurred in the evening.
The church was thronged at an early hour.
Rev. A. S. Ladd, of Bath, presided. The
opening religious exercises were conducted by
Rev. W. S. Jones, of Brunswick. Mrs. Rev.
DR.. Steele, of Lynn, Mass, Mrs. Rev. A. c.
Trafton, of Strong, and Rev. G. B. Foss, DID,,
President Of the Wesleyan University, Middle
town, Conn, delivered eloquent and effective
addresses.
THURSDAY MORNING.
The conference was called to order by the
Bishop at 0 o'clock.
Communications were received from the
book agents, and read to the conference.
The third question was taken up-"Who re-
main ON tral?"
John T. Blades, who has surrendered his
ordination papers, was discontinued.
The characters of the following passed, and
their relations were continued:
o. s. Pillsbury, Merritt c. Baldwin, W. s.
McIntire. W. j. Murphy, r. L. Greene, J.
Eugene Clark, W. f. Marshall.
The sixth question was taken up--"Who are
the Deacons of the second class?"
The characters of the following passed
G. R. Wilkins, G. w. Averill, B. f. Pease,
A. Cook, d. Pratt, Jr., III. G. Sheldon, A. F.
Chase, G. D. Lindsay.
The following were elected to Elders orders:
Charles E. Bisbee, j. Nixon, G. R. Wilkins.
Rev. G. D. Foss, President of Wesleyan Uni
dressed the conference in the interest of that
institution.
Rev. Mr.. Park, fraternal delegate from the
Congregational church, offered the greetings of
that body.
Rev. j. M. freeman, D. D., presented the
claims and advocated the interests of the Sun
day School Union and Tract Society.
Rev. Mr.. Alstou, colored preacher, and pre-.
siding elder in the North Carolina conference,
was introduced, and solicited the sympathy of
the conference in his effort to found a college
for his people A collection was taken to aid
him.
The fixing of the seat of the next conference
was made the order of the day for Friday at 10
O'Clock.
G. Munger, S. Allen. and j. Colby, were ap-
pointed committee to solicit subscriptions for
Wesleyan University.
The following was presented by W. S.
Jones
Resoloed, That we most respectfully ask the
Bishop to reduce the districts Of this confer
ence to two, instead of three, in order to bet
ter arrangement OF the work.
The resolution was carried by vote of so
to IA. Adjourned.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
The afternoon was devoted to the Sunday
school anniversary, and the exercises were un.
usually interesting and profitable.
Rev. G. F. Cobb, of Biddeford, presided.
The opening religious services were conducted
by Rev. b. w. Bolton, of Lewiston.
Earnest and effective addresses were deiv-
cred by Revs. 1. G. Sprague, j. M. Freeman,
d. D., and B. X. Pierce, D. D., editor of Zion's
Herald.
In the evening occurred the anniversary of
the Freedman's Aid Society, Rev. Francis
Grovener, of Richmond, presiding. The rel-
gious services were conducted by Revs. G. D.
Lindsay and W. 81. Foster.
Rev. DR.. Stevenson of the New Hampshire
conference, spoke from personal observation of
the teachableness of that portion of the South.
ern population which has recently been made
free, and appropriately introduced Rev. Mr..
Alston, colored presiding elder of the North
Carolina conference, who delivered the address
of the evening" forcibly urging the claims of the
college which he is seeking to establish. His
speaking and singing were greatly enjoyed by
the congregation, and about $1OO were contrib.
uted to the work he has iI hand,
A pleasant incident of the evening meeting
was the presentation, by Capt Sturdivant, of
Portland, of $100 to the Preachers Aid Society
of the Maine conference, the same being do
Datioa of a friend of the society, whose name
is withheld from the conference and the public
at his own request.
FRIDAY MORNING.
The devotional exercises were conducted by
Rev. j. Colby, of Gorham.
The stewards reported, through D. B. Ran
dali, the basis of claims for conference claim
ants.
A communication from Mrs. A. A. Hobart
respecting the condition of Noah Hobart, her
husband, who is member of this conference,
was read, and committee was appointed to
visit him. He is at present confined in the In.
ssna Asylum at Augusta, and fears are enter
tanned that he may not recover his health.
Rev. r. L. Hoard, delegate from the Maine
Central Free Baptist Yearly Meeting, was in
troduced, and presented the fraterna greetings
of that body.
Rev. DR.. B. K. Pierce addressed the confer
ence in the interest of the lions Herald, and
plead earnestly and eloquently the cause of
conference claimants
Resolutions, offered. by A. S. Ladd, compli-
mentary to the zion's Herald and its editor,
were unanimously adopted.
1t was ordered that money collected and re-
ported to the conference for s'education," be
divided equally between Maine Wesleyan Sem
mary and and the New England Education
Society.
The question, where shall the next Confer
ence be held?" was then taken up.
Invitations were received from Portland,
Auburn, Waterville, Pennington and Angus
ia. Pennington was selected as the seat of
Conference for 1878.
The 10th question of the minutes was taken
up. The Presiding Elders presented interest
ing reports of the work on their respective dis
tricts, which indicated general prosperity. The
characters of the Elders were examined and
passed.
Francis A. Robinson was made supernumer-
ary without appointment. The health of this
grand man is broken, we hope temporarily. He
has the sympathy OF host of the old students
of kentS Hill, whose prayers are for his
speedy recovery.
The candidates for admission to full connec.
ton were called forward and faithfully and
feelingly addressed by the Bishop.
Geo. G. Andrews and Chas. W. Bradlee.
were admitted into full connection and the lat
ter elected to Deacons orders.
SACRED CoNcERT.-The Sheppard Jubilee
Singers give sacred concert at Miss Marshs
theatre tomorrow evening. This is one of the
best jubilee troupes travelling, and the New
York Tribune speaks thus of their concerts:
Steinway Hall was crowded in every part last
night, when sacred concert was given bv the