The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-30
Indiana NJ. f. Conference.

BLOOMINGTON, Aug 29.-Indiana Confer
ence of the N. L. Church assemble here to-
day, Bishop Bowman presiding The bust
ness transacted was mainly of a routine char
acter, consisting chiefly of presentation of
reports by presiding elders.
Rev. John Poucher, presiding elder of the
Indianapolis district, submitted his report,
the main points of which are as follows:
All the preachers who were appointed at
the last conference have remained in charge
of the work assigned to them, except J. w.
Webb transferred, whose place was filed by
W. R. Halstead, to the eminent satisfaction
OF all concerned. The pastors OF Center Point,
Gosport, Blackford-street, Martinsville, Mon
rovia, Quincy and Waverly, have been him
dered to some extent by their own sickness
or that OF their families, but all have been
diligent in the work of the church, which
has suffered no serious loss, except perhaps,
in Blackford-street and Waverly. Rev. J. Q,
Smith, a superannuated minister of long and
high standing, was removed by death, about
New Years. The following official members
have died during the year: William Payne,
Archibald Cramer, John NJ. Jenkins, Thomas
Mitchell, Aaron I. Wiley and Thomas Baker.
Two persons, James l. Hbbs and William S.
Biddle, have been licensed to preach.
The district embraces parts OF nine coun-
ties, and the labors of the presiding elder
have been confined almost exclusively
within his own territory, where he preached
217 sermons, conducted eighty-tive quarterly
conferences and attended DBL other meet
ines besides performing incidental work.
A new church was dedicated at Mooresville,
Feb. l, by Bishop Bowman, after subscrip-
tons sufficient to cover the cost OF the build
ing had been received. A frame church at
Saline City, to cost 81, 200, is approaching
completion, and 800 has been spent in pur
chasing Phnrpb q IOrRn0rt
Boards of trustees have been elected and
steps taken for the erection of churches in
| West Indianapolis, on West Newton circuit,
and in Jordan valley. Extensive improve
ments have been made on the Salem and
Stlesvlle churches, and similar work
| has been done on the Belleville church,
also at Brooklyn, Ames, Blackford-street,
Martinsville, Mt. Olive, Mahalaville, Nor
gantown, Mt Nebo, Mast Chapel, Bethel and
South Greencastle.
The most gratifying progress has been
| made in liquidating the debt of Meridian
street Chareh, and if the present excellent
management is maintained the work will be
accomplished within the specified time,
next New Years. There remains only 49,,
800 to be paid, with notes in bank for Sc, It's
| to meet the obligation. Over S, 200 were
paid last November on the California-street
| Indebtedness, and it is confidently hoped
that the remaining obligation of $1,000 and
accruing interest will be lifted during the
| coming year. ALI other accounts are settled
| in full. There is good reason for the statement
made by a gentleman of experience and
| judgment in such matters that the Method
ism of the Indiana conference in the capital
had not been in a better condition perhaps
for thirty years. This result has been
reached without much assistance from the
ordinary methods of newspaper advertising
and for this reason it is here mentioned
| because the modesty of the most efficient
workers and givers has prevented them
from using the public prinss to draw popu-
| lar attention.
By the payment of $1,000 this year the
! debt on Locust-street Church, Greencastle,
| has been reduced to 50 400 with valid sub
cription of about $500 still remaining. No
embarrassment will follow if the conference
continues to foster this important charge and
spirited and self-sacrifcing congregation.
Payments have been made on the indebted
ness of Cory parsonage, Gosport Church and
Lick Spring, on Morgantown circuit Clover
dale Church, on Putnamville circuit is at
last free and needed repairs are contem-
plated.
The estimates for the support of the pastor
ate were increased on Belleville, Brooklyn
Center Point, Monrova and Waverly circuits
and Blackford-street Meridian-street Cali
fornia-street, Martinsville and Moores vile
stations, aggregating S9OS.
Opening Sessions of the Northwest NJ. e.
Conference.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
TERRE HAUTE Aug 29.-The thirty seeond
session of the Northwest Conference of the NJ.
E. Church convened here this morning with
Bishop w. L. Harris in the chair. The con-
ference was opened last night by Rev. Dr.
Graham, of Lafayette, who preached the
conference sermon to a very large crowd.
To-day's session WAS occupied mainly by
routine business. Among other duties of
this conference is that of appointing dele
gates to the general conference, to be held in
Philadelphia in 1884. Tonight DR.. H. A.
Goblin. of Asbury University. preached to an
exceedingly large crowd DIR. A. H. Elliott
conducted the services of this afternoon.