The Portland daily press., 1877-05-01
Maine Methodist Conference.

=
Maine Methodist Conference.
Reported for the Press.]
GARDINER, April 30.
An excellent sermon was preached Saturday
afternoon by Rev. d. W. LeLacheur Of Hal
lowell, from Rev. 1920.
The Introductory services were conducted by
Rev. A. S. Ladd of Bath
The sermon was followed by stirring exhorta-
lions from Revs John Allen, A. S. Ladd,
W. S. Jones and J. Hawkes..
The meeting was under the direction of
A. r. Sylvester, and was both interesting and
profitable.
The general testimony is that the religions
interest is greater than at any previous confer
ence for several years.
At a meeting called for the purpose Saturday
afternoon the preachers of the Portland district
surprised Rev. /. Luce, to whom they pre-
sented sum of money as token of their
appreciation of the faithful service he has rem.
dered the church during the four years of his
administration as Presiding Elder. 1t was a
deserved tribute to worthy man.
SATURDAY EVENING.
The Conference met according to adjourn
ment, at clock, Rev. d. B. Randall in the
chair.
The devotional exercises were conducted by
Rev. A. Hatch.
The various committees presented their re-
ports, which were approved.
Rev. I. j. Lansing addressed the Conference
at length in the interest of the Freedman's Aid
Society.
The Committee on Public Worship was
authorized to make arrangements for the ami
versares at the next Conference.
The committee on the state of the country
presented the following preamble and resolu-
tons, which were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, God has made the wrath of man
to praise him in the delverance of more than
100000 of our citizens from legalIzed slavery;
and
Whereas, That which ought to be done to
ameliorats their condition and elevate them
| and
Whereas, The present condition of our coun-
| Try is such as to produce deep solcitude in
reference to its future:
Resolved, That We believe it to be the duty of
all Christians, both clergy and laity, to exert
| their influence in favor of all reforms which
| tend to purify the government and infuse into
| its administration honesty and an elevated
standard of Christian morality and patriotism,
which tend to secure to every citizen, without
regard to race or color, ample protection in the
Enjoyment of their constitutional rights and
privileges and to this end, irrespective of
political organization or party predictions, to
vote only for such persons for office as sustain
undoubted character for honesty, ability and
patriotism, and whose past record shall guar
antee the possession of these Indispensable
qualifications.
Res0lved, That the loyal men of the South,
who stood by the nation in the hour of its
extreme need, and who perled their lives in
defence OF the old flag, are justly entitled to
the protection of the government, and that any
policy which, IN its practical operations, shall
abridge any of their rights, is unjust and dan,
gerous to thu perpetuity of free government.
ReSolUed, That we learn with great satisfac
| ton that in the domestic arrangements at the
White House we are to have an Illustration Of
thoroughly temperance and Christian home.
SUNDAY MORNING.
A spirited love feast was held at o'clock,
led by Rev. E. Martin.
At 10s o'clock the Bishop preached from
Acts ii, 1 and 4, after which Geo. c. Andrews,
A. F. Chase, J. B. Fogg and Chessman Bat
terfield were ordained deacons
At2a p. m. Rev. I. J. Lansing preached from
Luke K, 2, after which Chas. E. Bsbee, j.
Nixon and Geo. R. Wilkins we're ordained
Elders.
The evening was devoted to the anniversary
of the Missionary Society. D. B. Randall
presided.
The Treasurer, Rev. A. B. Lovewell, pre-
scented report showing small decrease in
the amount contributed by the churches this
year, as compared with previous years.
The speakers were Revs. A. W. Pottle, S. F.
Wetherbee. and Mrs. Rev. A. c. Traitor.
MONDAY.
Conference met at o'clock.
The devotional exercises were conducted by
W. B. Bartlett.
The report of the Committee on Education
was presented, and DIR. Fl. P. Torsey addressed
the Conference.
The Bishop presented the propositions of the
General Conference with reference to the
amendments of the I'd and 81 restrictive rnles
The Conference voted not to concur by the
following votes: SO to in the first instance,
and 40 to in the latter.
FL. Crockett was located at his own request,
j. G. Perry was made effective, N. D. William
and S. M Emerson were granted super
numerary relation, and R. Fl. Ford was located
The relation of N. Andrews was changed from
effective to superannuated.
r. Vivian was located at his own request.
G. W. Averill was made supernumerary with
out appointment.
d. B. Randall was appointed to preach a
semi-centernial sermon at the next session of
the Conference.
Provision was made for the organ cation of
Domestic Missionary Society to provide for the
needs of the poorer charges in the Maine Con-
ference.
The matter was referred to a committee of
twelve, with instructions to report through
lions Herald.
The customary resolutions of thanks we're
adopted
j. M. Woodbury. was appointed r. r. Agent.
The 221st hymn was sung. A. Sanderson
offered fervent prayer; the Bishop delivered
an appropriate closing address, the appoint
ments were read, and the Conference ad-
journed.
1.-THE appointments will be found in our tele-
graphic columns
DEATH OF WARREN JOHNSON. - Wars n
johnson, superintendent of the public schools
of Newton, Mass, died at his residence in that
city Saturday evening. Mr.. johnson was a
graduate Of Bowdoin College, in the class or