Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-04-26
MAINE CONFERENCE, AT GARDINER


The ffly-thiId session of the Mai C Annual
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
begun in the Methodist church in Gardiner, yes
terdsy forenoon, Bishop Levi w. Scott Of Gin
cinnati, Ohio, presiding. The bright and beauti-
full weather brought out al unusually large mum.
her ofthe clergy and laymcn, every part of the
Conference field being well represented. These
laborers in the vineyard delight to come up to
their anuual feast, to compare notes and gain a
new and fresh impetus for future work.
At $50 the Holy Sacrament was adm nistered,
after which the Conference was formally opened
by the Bishop. c. j. Clark was elected Secre-
tary, and G. c. Andrews, Assistant Secretary.
The roll of the Conference was called, and sew
enty five ministers answered to their names.
The usual committee were appointed. We
give the names of the chairmen of the principal
committees:
On Public Worshp-E. Martin.
On Stewasds-S. +. Wetherbee.
On Education-A. II. Sylvester.
On State of the Country-J. J. Perry.
On Tract cause-E. Il. Adams.
On Temperament. w. Bolton.
On Use of Tobacco-C. w. Bsckman.
1t was voted that srason of religious worship
precede each day 5 session.
A committee Apo inted on Conference
claimants, to whom names Of certain members
should be submitted for their consideration. ID.
b. Randall said there we're preachers who bore
the supernumerary or superannuated relation who
were really engaged in secular EN- ployments. en-
tirely abandoning the ministry. lie thought their
cases ought to be investigated and tine Confer
ence was the proper body to investigate. We
want to know whether these brethren are to con-
tinue in the ministry.
The eighth question was taken up-Who are
the supernumerary preachers The following
persons were continued 10 that relation for the
ensuing year: G. c. Cone, G. X. Evans, i. p.
French, Jonathan Fairbanks, Noah Hobart, y. q.
Clifford. T. ii i'll. The following names were re-
ferred to the committee II. +. French (now in
Florila) Henry Crockett, c. II. Simmons
The ninth question came up-Who are the SUI
perannuated preachers The following preachers
were placed on that list John Allen, (CAmpmeet-
ing john, Chas. W. Morse, j. S. Rice, 5. Z.
Blake, n. d. Wtham, David Copeland, (n,w in
Cnicago,) Henry l.. Llnscot, Abner +. lIllman,
Francis Masseure (now in Massachusetts, Benz
Lufkin, A. b. Lovewell, (who had been able 10
preach some twenty Sabbaths during the year !;
suffering with trouble at the heart,) c. c. Cope
laod, Jesse Stone, Richard III. Ford, +. ii. Me-
kenney, Jas. Armstrong Ezekiel Robinson, j.
Gerry (now in lllinois) j. II. Masterman.
Rev. Mr.. Gilbert, agent of the American Bible
Society, being present, invited to address the
conference. lie said he would present few facts,
showing how God had pro.pered his Word. LeaT-
ing out of view the important foreign field, he
would consider the more immediate nome field.
This is assuming great proportions at the present
time. One-half OF the people OF New England
never visit the sanctuary. Here in this country
we have been stlaining every nerve to get honest
rulers. We never can get honest rulers unless
the people themselves are lmoued with honest
principles, and this eficctually be done by the
Bible. This is shown by the countries not BILE sed
with the Bible, as Turkey, where the Sultan en-
tiers into a conspiracy to eXtort taxes from the
people. We seek TO reach the outyn multtudcs
and TO evangelizc the foreign popula-
ton now flowing into the country. a
distributor is now canvassing York County,
going everywhere scattering and preaching the
Word. and gathering valuable statistics for future
10. e tI.,a .s0l L.
have never been inside of a christian sanctuary.
There are most gratifyi ing results from the work
among the Roman Catholic population. In re-
cent canvass Of the city of Portland it found
that of l0l4 Roman Catholic families in the place,
493 were supplied with Doray's scriptures and
that was infinitely better than no Bible. The can
vasser sold 63 copies Of the Bible to Catholic fam
lies. Bibles are now generally sold 10 Catholic
bookstores. He asked the continued co-opcra .
tion OF the Conference 10 the tfors of the Bible
Society.
After singing praise God from whom all bless
ings flow, adjourned to afternoon.
AFTERNOON.
AT $50 the church was fairly filed to listen to
the missionary sermon by Rev. Isaac Lord.
Prayer was offered by Rev. VIM. Harrington of
Providence conference. From Ezekiel NLNII,
9th, the preacher delivered an interesting dis.
course. The river which the prophet saw in a
vision was type of the grace of God for the sal
walton of lost world. There was no beyond, SO
the grace of God is boundless. The source was
considered. 1t was supernatural river. This
was proper type. The preacher then spoke OF
the antitype, represented as cut out without
hands. lie passed to the TRANSPORTATION scene
this is My beloved Son. hear we Him, would
that all the world would hear Him. Christ gave
to mankind a simple form of worship adapted to
all. whatever their circumstances and conditions.
The benefits of the gospel were considered. II
revolutionzes man. A blessing wherever it has
been carried. Those who support preaching and
aid missions thrive. Shall the heather have the
gospel! Shall VIC, enjoying its benefits. forget or
neglect them: Shall a worldly policy govern the
church
The Pentocostal preparation is necessary for the
success of christian effort, louder call for which
is heard than ever before. The work may seem
TO go on slowlv-lsrge bodies move slowly; but
the work ,sure. lie shall have the heather for
His Inheritance: The river shall spread until il
floods the world.
EVENING.
At 80 anniversaries of the Wcman's Foreign
Mission Society and Pastors and Ladies Chris
tan Union.
The speakers welc DIR. Frost and Mrs. Steele.
Programme of exercises for Thursday 8 \.
NJ, Conference business 2 7. NJ, S. 5. Annivcr-
sary. L. NJ, Temperance Anniversary.