Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-08-15


at the vestry of Trinity church on Monday
August 9th, at 10 O'Clock Am. Itwa
called 10 order by the president, and Rev
John Currier of the New Hampshire
conference conducted the devotiona
exercises.
There were nineteen preachers present
st. Johnsbury district was represented by
Rev. p. N. Granger, r. w. Culver and c
A. Smith.
Bro. d. Kilburn and R. l.. Bruce were
appointed committee to consider the
matter of an excursion to Mt. Mansfield
and were to report at the next meet, ing
After the transaction of some other pre-
llminary business, among which the
reception of five new members. the regular
topic was taken up and Rev. II. A.
Spencer presented paper, as announced,
discussing the question, as it expedient
to extend the limit of pastoral service in
the Methodist Episcopal church." The
paper was very thorough and able
showing for the negative. fortified by
facts and figures, many of which it would
be interesting to note if it were not for the
expectation that the entire paper will be
published.
After the reading of the paper the meet
ing adjourned and the people repaired
quite generally to the American House for
dinner.
The afternoon session opened at 1:3C
O'Clock and the subject was again taken
up for general discussion. The discussion
was animated and participated in by
nearly all, briefly.
Bro. Granger thought that so far from
he extension If the time limit rejecting
the general sentiment of the best minds OIL
The church. that if at The last general
conference the proposition had been to
contract it again 10 The old rule of two
Yeas, and if il had been well lead in the
debate. in his opinion, it would have been
carried.
Bro Johnson thought that provision
GU ht to be made for exceptional cases
Bro Spencer thought if such cases
existed they ought to be pr divided for by II
regular appointment from the genera
secretaries so rs not to come in confllc
with the general order Of our restrictive
rules.
Prof Bishop referred to large and
influential church in the New Jersey
conference which had made it rule with
them to change pastors every two years,
even though they changed in the very
m DIST of extensive revivals, n, they fire.
quently did, and they were of thriftier
growth and ospered above Of her churches
in the city in numbers and influence under
less favorable conditions.
o hers thought that to grant extension
of time limit, in exceptional localities, is
to build up great metropolitan churches
to the detriment of all, contrary TO our
system and polity. To concede to them
exceptional greatness is to concede also to
them of necessity exceptional power, rem
dering them constant elements of threat
ened disturbance or disintegration.
Bro. Sherburn thought that our people
ought TO be doctrinated into the distin
gushing characteristics of Methodist
polity. That our power lies largely in
our unique organic system. That it is not
our interest TO build up great churches
around representative men but to exhiler.
ate and work the system, for the health
and growth of all, the churches. And
many other sentiments of which thine
would fail us"
A vote was taken ut the close rs 10 the
removal of all limit and also rs to the
extension of time; the sentiment of the
meeting seemed to be decidedly against
either of the above mentioned innovations.
The session, from the beginning through.
out, was harmonious and enjoyable.
G. E. SMITH. Sec'y.