The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-04-24
THE nIETHODIsTs.
Fifty-fifth Session of the Maine Confer
ence.

dist Episcopal Church, commenced its annual
session in the Pine st. church in this city, yes
terday at O'Clock a. M, Bishop r S. Foster
presiding. The opening religious services were
conducted in very impressive manner by Rev
G. W. Morse. The Bishop then proceeded te
the administration of the Lords Supper, in
which he was assisted by nearly all the Elders
in the Conference. The Conference roll was
then called by G. j. Clark, the secretary of last
year. When the names of D. Copeland, F,
Masseur, e Robinson and j. Fairbanks were
called there was no response. They have passed
away and their earthly work is done.
j. G. Clarke was appointed Secretary, and
appointed as assistants, viz: G. c. Andrews,
Recorder; A. W. Pottle, Financier; W. s.
Jones, Statistcian.
The following are the chairmen of the con-.
mittees:
Public Misunderstanding Elders.
Stewards--S. f Wetherbee.
Education-H P. Jersey.
Temperance-D W. LeLacheur.
Church ExteHsion-J. Nixon.
Freedmen-D. B. Randall.
Memoirs-D. B. Randall.
Conference RelatiOns-S. Allep
Bible Cause-R. g. Kimbau
Admission to Copference-W 81. Foster.
lions Herald-J. r. Day.
Minutes-Secretaries.
Voted, that Conference meet at s 40 a. M.
devotiug the first half hour to religious service
and to adjourn at noon.
The bar of the conference was fixed at line
with the secondiwindows from the front
1t was voted to refer the ssubiecs of Tobac 20
to the committee on Temperance
The Bishop then addressed the Conference
in very feeling and fraternal manner, it being
his first official visit.
Voted, that the entire roll of Conference be
referred to the com mittee on Conferenc. Rela.
tions.
A report from the Wesleyan University was
read, showing that institution to be in flour
ishing condition.
Voted, that the report. with all other papers
addressed to the Conference be referred to tie
appropriate committees.
The Roll of Effective Elders was called and
the character of each passed review with Cd.
proval
Rev. P. jacques Presiding Elder reported fav-
orably for Portland District, as prospecting in
It's religious and financial aspects.
Y. Z. Mason, Presiding Elder, gave glowing
description OF the beauties and glories of Lew
iston District, of its preachers, living and dead,
aooundIng in poetic gems, complimentary
notices and Indian names more curious than
poetic. The list of Effective Elders for the
Lewiston District was called and each name
passed favorable review
Mr.. Whitaker of the New England Com.
florence was introduced and addressed the CON.
ference In behalf of the interests of the New
England Educational Society.
Chaplin McCabe was introduced,
y. ). Piilsbury passed a good examination
and was advanced
W. s. Mc[ntye and c. Bradlee also passed
and were advanced.
Adj ned.
AFTERNOON.
At2.30 the anniversary of the Preachers Aid
Society was held, Rev. ]. R. Day presiding.
After reading Of the scriptures BY Mr..
Hawkes., singing, and prayer by Rev. c F.
Allen, the president stated the object of the
meeting to be the awakening of deeper inter-
est in the condition and wants of the superan-
mated preachers and widows of the Maine Con.
ference an interest 10 trust especially of the
Preachers Aid Society.
Rev. A. W. Pottle was the next speaker. who
showed that this claim is not charity but a
debt we owe honestly to those who have work
ed out their foil day at the call of the Master
and at night are honestly entitled to their
wages.
Rev. S. f. Wetherbee was the next speaker,
and dwelt upon the way this claim has been ig-
nored, till, in this conference, less than one
cent mem Der has been paid for few years.
Rev. Mr.. LIE Lacheur was the next, and urged
the claims of this society with great elcqaence
and power.
DR.. G. f. Allen was called upon, and adyo.
,ated its claims on the two-fold ground of
Justice and charity.
After some suggestions from DR.. S Allen, a
collection of annual Memberships was tasen.
Rev. j. Colby made a donation in behalf of
bis deceased wife, of one hundred dollars, to
The invested funds of the society, for which az
was made by the president.
At the close of the services the society pro.
,eeded to the election of officers for the ensuing
year. The following were choseu:. J. Colby,
President; c. Munger, Vice President; f.
Luce, Secretary; j. @. Clarke, Treasurer; the
pastors of Pine St., Congress St. ard Wood.
lords Corner, Managers.
Voted to adjourn