Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-04-19

number OF members had not arrived.
Rev. r. Morgn was chosen secretary.
Bishop Wiley Aok the chair and very
gracefully INTRODUCED himself to the
Conference. He Rmarked, that though
stranger to nearly every member, he
was one well acquainted with the work
in which the brethren were engaged, and
knowing the labors, the trials, the sue
cesses and the duties of the Methodist
ministers he felt that he was personally
acquainted with each one. He alluded
to the recent discourses in some of the
Conferences, and in the leading papers
Of the denomination, relative to the pro-
priety of putting the appointing Of pre-
siding elders into the hands of the mem
bers of the Conference and his remarks
indicated that he had read that Bishops
were supposed by some to have little
knowledge of the capacity, fitness and
general qualifications of the many mem
bers to be assigned to different work,
and different fields. He said that the
Bishop had better understanding of
the qualifications Of the members than
they were aware of, and, though not de-
string an intimate acquaintance, which
might create some sympathy or preju-
dice for or against the brother he had
such knowledge Of each, as to be able
to make him effective for good. He re-
marked, that whether he met the breth-
ren in Conference Assembly Oh the hills
of Vermont, where nature struggled al
most the year round to rid the earth of
ice and snow, or in the SUMMER climes
amid the almost perpetual bloom of the
flowers, he found the Methodist minis
ters, and the work of Methodism the
same He spoke of somewhat noted
| lay brother, who had better faculty
for business thanIfor speech making, that
| in talk to Western Conference ex-
pressed his pleasure and surprise that
he should there meet the same Bishop,
sing the same songs, hear the same pray
ers and listen to the same sermons, he
had seen and heard in his eastern home.
The Bishop hoped harmony would pre-
vail, great good would result to all the
members, and to the citizens of the vii
lage who had SO largely taxed their gen.
erosity in inviting the Conference.
After little time spent in business
routine the reports of the Presiding Ell
ders were submitted. Rev. Church Ia
Dor of the Montpelier District reported
a very successful year. In several towns
large revivals had occurred. Many
church debts had been cancelled in
creased collections had been taken; bet
ter quarterly meetings had beeu held;
extra work had been done in classes, and
marked improvements had been made in
many charges. He paid high compli-
ment to Prof. Southworth of the Mont
pelier Seminary, and urged upon the
brethren the advantage and propriety of
sustaining the scheme. At this time
seveal brethren in the ministry from 9th
er churches and other Conferences we're
introc iced to the Bishops and to the
brethren.
Rev. W. D. Malcom of the st. Jhons-
bury District reported successful year.
In the matter of church debts there had
been great improvement. One church,
that at West Concord, worse than bank
rupt year ago, had been rescued by the
efforts of members, the liberality of
friends and the finatcial skill of the pas
tor, Rev. John Morse. Two new churches
had been erected and paid for; revivals
had occurred on certain charges, and
degree of prosperity had been enjoyed
by nearly all. On the Barton charge
Rev. M. B. Cummings had left his ap-
pointment, and at the request of Mr..
Malcom, a committee was chosen to in
vestigate the matter.
Rev. ?. N. Granger, of the st. Albans
District, reported favorably of his dis
trict. Great revivals have occurred in
in several places, with large additions to
the churches. The financial condition
of affairs in his district have been an
embarrassment to church as we'll as 9TH
er interests, and though some church
debts had been paid, and many improve
ments had been made, the condition
would have been greatly improved in
a year of general prosperity. He criti-
cised the method, or want of method,
adopted by many churches for raising
the necessary funds.
Presiding Elder H. A. Spencer, of the
Springfield District, stated that his dis
trict embraced an area of $500 square
miles, covering all the southeastern part
of the state. The labors of the Presid-
ing Elder are very severe. When he
took the work his health was poor and
he almost despaired of being able to do
his duty, but his health had improved
and the affairs of his district had gener-
ally been very satisfactory. Like the
other brethren reporting, considerable
Improvement had been made in church
property, debts had been paid, new
church edifces had been begun and pro-