Daily Kennebec journal., 1883-04-28
BY TElE GRAPH.
LEWISTON.
Proceedings of the Maine Methodist
Conference.
LEWISTON, April q.

| ed by Rev. +. w. Simons. The opening of
the morning business of the conference was
attended by large congregation. The work
OF the session began at o'clock.
! Papers on Indian affairs, Bible cause and
temperance were read and referred to their re-
! spsctive committees.
The roll was called and the opening busi-
ness discussed. The committee appointed
| for Indian affairs reported in favor Of the
adoption of the platform as adopted by the
| Philadelphia conference. The chairman
read set of resolutions pledging the faith of
the nation to adopt pacific relations towards
the Indians.
Resolutions regarding land. civilization.
education, Indian agencies, regulating pow
ers and duties of agents. abolition of privi-
legged traders, no tariff in liquors, non inter
course between soldiers and Indians, remove
no more Indians from reservations, educate
the Indians where they are, make work com
pulsory. The resolutions were quite lengthy.
They were passed as offered
Alexander Hamilton and Samuel B. Rec
ord were admitted to the conference on trial.
The chairman of the committee on mar
rage and divorce, Rev. Mr.. Lindsey, made
a report. The annuling of marriage should
be done for cause. Much marriage lnfelicity
would be prevented if many marriages were
not contaminated The law NAV establish
barriers-the church must sanction these re-
strictons. The alarmingI frequency of di-
vorces challenges the labor of the church
against them. The laws of Maine now per-
mt divorce for enumerated causes. The
law of Christian morals lays the rights of
divorce in the sacred scriptures.
Resolved, lst, That the influence of the
church must be made to bear upon the State
until statute law in regard to divorce shall
conform TO Christian morals.
| End That in sOlemni:ing marriage care
must be exercised lest the church pronounce
its benedictions upon unions that are adul-
| ferrous.
3rd, That the church must instruct the
consciences of the people until their habits
shall conform to its teachings.
ith, That divorce except for adultery is an
offence against morals that should debar
| from church membership.
| The resolutions were adopted with the sub
stitute of the resolution No. . of the last
years minutes.
The committee on temperance made re-
port and offered set resolutions.
At 10 o'clock the incoming class took
their seats in front of the body of the church.
The services of the reception of the class into
the full orders Of the church are among the
| most solemn of the conferences
The bishop then addressed them. The
names of the class are as follows: Joseph
| II. Snow, Thomas F. Jones, Wilbur F,
Holmes, Joshua NJ. Frost.
In the case of Thomas +. Jones the com
mittee on examination reported that the com
mittec desired to recommend Mr.. Jones to
the conference. 1t was explained in addition
| that Mr.. Jones not settled in the doctrine
of the resurrection. He says The scriptures
do not warrant me in believing that any part
of the material body placed in the grave will
ever be raised again"
A lengthy debate ensued upon the admis-
sion of Mr.. Jones.
|
not settled at present, and that it be referred
to a committee for consideration and to re-
port Saturday at IL. The committee was ap-
pointed as follows: C. Munger, g. II. Cobb
and II. Z. Torsey.
Rev. A. S. Ladd was excused from the
committee on literature.
The trustees reported 1891 SIS of funds in
possession. A division had been effected
where Sss should be paid the East Maine
| Conference and the balance, S303 SO be paid
the Maine Conference. Proper authority to
draw and use this was granted the stewards
| and trustees.
Mellen +. Holmes was elected to deacons
orders.
| Voted that J. W. Fellows be added to the
committee in the case of I. +. Jones.
| The afternoon was devoted to the ami.
versary of the Woman's Foreign Missionary
| Society. The services were conducted by
Rev. DIR. Hartzell of New Orleans, assisted
by Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Clifford.
Mrs. Leavitt reported auxillaries formed
at Brighton, Waterville, kent's Hill and
Woodfords. There has been an additional
interest and an increase in the numbers OF
the society.
During the year 81, ,l9S9S was raised.
| The total contributions of the seven branches
| of the society was 1860 %. DIR. Hartzell
made an earnest address.
| Mrs. Mclaughlin made an eloquent adj
lress She said whoever undertakes to be a
| faithful historian of the i9.h century must
| record that somewhere in the century there
| was an active movement in the organization
of benevolent and pbilantropic work.
A contribution of $50 was taken at tue
close.
In the evening temperance meeting was
| held in City Hall, addressed by Rev. A.
| McKeown, NJ. c. Pendexter, Hon. Nelson
| Dingley, Jr., Mr.. Brakeman and others.