Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-02
AUGUSTA DIsrRIcT.
Presiding Elder q. Al,.,.. D..

|
: fresiding Elder S. Allen. of the Aupus,a
district, in his report report read at the
Nethodist Conference. says that district en-
braces thir'y-two charges, served by twenty.
one preachers of the Conference, ten local
preachers and one minister of another church
me salaries received vary from $50 to sl0ro
Inc large number of the charges ser-ed bv
preachers not connected with the conference
suggests to the Presiding Elder the inouirv
"hat has become of that class of heroic
ministers who in former wears answered the
roll call and were ready for the rough service
and small pay of frontier circuits: The youn.
men, says the Presiding Elder, who now
enter the ranks, to greater extent than for
merry are inclined to avoid the invigorating
service OF the circuit. They are usually with
"uf means of conveyance. and with no suita-
bic outfit for housekeeping. and in some cases
have families upon their hands whose delicate
health renders active itinerant service impos-
sible This old time training school for the
ministry has gone out of fashion. The col
ieges and schools of theology, while great
blessings to the church at large afford scantv
supplies for the rural charges, and that por-
ton Of the work in the Conference. largely
through lack of liberalty in the people. is
steadily declining. After diigent inquiry at
the Conferences institutions of learning for
young men to supply the depleted ranks
favorable responses have been received from
only two young ministers, one of them
young lady. Within a few days young man
at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary has been
engaged for work. Quarterly meeting have
been held upon each charge every quarter,
and with four exceptions by the Presiding FL
der in person. All but two charges have had
Sabbath quarterly meetings. The preachers
are generally in good health and faithful the
doctrines of the church have been faithfully
preached, and the Wesleyan doctrine of
Christian Perfection, with few exceptions.
emphatically endorsed. The Presiding Ell
der laments the growth of the practice of
reading sermons. No extensive REVEALS have
occurred. The churches with slight excep-
tons, are out of debt. A chapel has been
dedicated at Dead River, and one is in con-
temptation at Madison Bridge. Mr. Allen
laments the scarcity of Methodist books and
periodicals and the abundance of cheap and
often demoralizing literature, and thinks
some remedy is needed for this state of things
BLAINE AT HIS DESK.
How the Secretary Of State Looks and
Acts I'm his New Once.
A correspondent of the Philadelphia Times
sat for an hour in Secretary Blaine's Office at
Washington and watched him in the dis
charge of official business. He did not, the
writer says. tell lies as the vulgar people in
authority do and his heartiness was not as
sumed for he has the love of mankind in his
heart. 1t was treat to watch the great pre-
mier getting rid of a crowd. His room was
packed. and the hall outside swarmed with
people. The good nature of the man, under
severe provocation to anger, was noteworthy.
He was self-possessed, elusive in politeness,
and obliging in his manners. He remained
standing nearly all the time | was in his room
and watched him closely. for did not hob
self whether or not Mr.. Blaine was a dying
man? Well found very lively corpse.
He certainly has as much life as anybody in
the room, including myself. As have said,
he stood the most of the time and about his
face there was not even the ''tired look that
we have heard so much about. He got along
with the crowd admirably, and, when an Of
| ficer or clerk of the department came in to
ask about anything, it was surprising to see
! the vigor quickness and clearness of his
mind. My turn finally came. and Mr.. Blaine
! sat down beside me. Then saw how much
printers ink had been wasted on his health.
| If my word is worth anything, let me say to
them that Mr.. Blaine is not sick man. He
looks as well as he did 10 years ago, except
that his hair and beard are now white; and
he laughs at the sensational reports that he
had rheumatism. yes in the knees. and he
has suffered a good deal from it. otherwise
he looks and feels like bridegroom. Blaine
has always been careful of his eatings
and drinkings He goes to more dinners
than anv one in Washington. but he eats
less and drinks less than any one. He con-
fines himself to the oysters, soup, fish and
roast. always avoiding the terrapin and other
rich and injurious dishes. He never took
glass of whiskey or brandy in his life. If
YOU are talking about sick men. you had bet
ter look at Conkling and Don Cameron
Blaine will outlive both of them. and don
YOU forget it,
| WANTED. Woman to do general house
work. Apply to Joseph Arch. Halloweii
uopse Hallowen. mayltlw