The Portland daily press., 1885-04-28
MAINE METHoDIsTs.
Their Sixty-frst Annual Confer
ence at Biddeford.
Detailed Report Of Sundays Services
Fifth Days PrOceedings-The Appoint
nents 10 be Made This Forenoon.
Special to the Press.)

Special to the Press.)
BIDDEFoRD, April q.
Last weeks services closed with a temper
ance meeting Saturday evening, conducted by
Bro. Sanderson, and SO far as the chairman
was concerned, it was we'll conducted, but
there were many men of many minds, and
without calling names, we can only say pious-
ly, "Good Lord deliver u.s." There was great
deal of prohibition, anti-license and temper
ance sentiments expressed in very jealous
if not Incorporate manner, with much denun-
citation of political parties and professed tenn
perance workers. 1t seemed to us that "pro-
hibition is advancing backward" as an Irish
orator remarked.
Fourth Day.
At 8 o'clock yesterday, the church was well
filled at the Conference Love Feast which is
always an occasion of deep interest.
Rev. j. @. Clark, presiding elder of the dis
trict conducted the service. Nearly hun
dred testimonies were given, interspersed with
singing, and the meeting was a very joyful
one. At 1890 the public service was opened
by voluntary by the choir-"Praise Wsiteth
for Thee" rendered very finely, and the service
of song by the choir, through the day was be-
yond any thing we have ever heard at an an
nual conference.
The opening service was conducted by Rev.
]. R. Day of New York. The Bishop select
ed his text from Rev. 7th chapter. "These
are they who have come up out of great tribu-
lation, &c." He then presented with great
vividness and beauty the contrast of the earth
ly and heavenly condition of the child of God,
and the union of divine and human sequences
by which sinful man can thus be made pure
and holy, and come at last to walk with God
in white, were very clearly presented.
AT the close of the sermon, Alexander Ham.
presented by @. j. Clark and ordained Dea-
cons.
Before the close of the service the rain COM
menced pouring down on us in floods and q
large congregation did not leave the church,
but remained during the intermission.
AT 2.30 the church was crowded to hear
preaching by Rev. j. r. Day, former pas
tor, much beloved. He was assisted in the
opening services by W. S. Jones and R. San
derson. DR.. Day selected his text from Rom.
s, ii. ''The law of the spirit of life in Christ
DEATH" 1t was sermon of great force and
power, and the line of thought presented was
sustained to the close, showing that the Divine
Christ life inspired in regeneration, originates
all the elevation that is seen or can be realized
in the Christian life and progress. Ringing
shouts and loud amens filed the house in
old time Methodist STYLE
Following the sermon, W. f. Holmes, /. r.
Jones, j. M. Frost, j. H. Snow and G. T. Par
SONS, we're examined and ordained Elders by
conservation and imposition of hands.
The conference collections for the widows
and supersnnuated preachers, during the day,
amounted to $72.
In the evening the Woman's Foreign Mis-
sionary anniversary was held, and was an oc-
casion of much interest. Miss Cushman, a
returned missionary from China, made the
leading address. Mr.. Bashford presided at the
meeting, giving brief opening speech. The
collection amounted to $75.
Fifth Day.
AT o'clock a social service was held instead
of the usual morning sermon. The meeting
was conducted by D. B. Randall.
AT O'Clock the Bishop took the chair.
After singing and prayer by Rev. S. Allen, the
journal was read and approved. The Bishop
explained why the day of beginning confer
ence has been changed from Wednesday to
Thursday.
The Conference voted that when we adjourn
this noon, it shall be to $50 a. M, Tuesday.
The final report of the Steward was made by
S. f. Wetherbee, as follows:
Cash received from all sources
amounted to........'., $2,6Oo.SS
Paid Paid to suPerannustes. tes............s1l, ,s25.oo
Paid to widows. ws.................... 1,46000
Left in the treasury of the Preach
ers' Aid Society. 1858
s2,9OO.88
The claims of effective men who have not
received their full estimated claims on the
charges, amounted to $1,040O0. They gener-
ally remitted their claims in favor OF those
who have no income.
The report was adopted and the money was
presented to the claimants in open conference,
and many hearts were made glad. The high
est claims were $500 each.
The Committee on Education reported by
Rev. Il. s. Stackpole. 1t was discussed BY
President Smith OF Maine Wesleyan Seminary,
j. M. Williams and others, and after some
amendments in relation TO visitors, the report
was adopted.
By vote, the Conference requested the re-
appointment of Rev. e. M Smith as President
of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary; also voted
to request the re-appointment of DR.. 81. P.
Torsey as financial agent of the Seminary.
By vote the Conference requested the reap
pointment of N. G. Clifford as Conference
tract agent
R. Sanderson reported for the committee on
temperance. The report fully endorsed the
enforcement OF legal prohibition. The report
was accepted.
Committees on marriage and divorce, Freed
mems aid, Bible cause, Methodist literature,
Sunday schools and tracts, Domestic Mission
ary Society, and sanctifcation of the Sab
bath reported, and their reports were adopted
The following fraternal delegates were sp-
pointed:
To the General Conference of the Congregational
Church-Rev. c, j. Clark
To the Maine Baptist General Convention-Rev.
s. Allen.
To the Maine Central Free Baptist Yearly Meet
ing-Rev. j. M. Frost.
10 the Maine Western Free Baptist Yearly Meet
ing-Rev. +. G. Rogers
Berry.
The minutes were read and approved, and
the conference adjourned to Tuesday at $50
q. m.
AT 2 o'clock Campmeetng John eAllen
preached to large audience. Though ninety
years old there is q good deal of vim in him
still. Many "reminiscences of his life as re-
lated by him were very amusing and interested
his hearers greatly.
1he temperance and missionary women are
to hold some informal meetings this evening.
The conference will undoubtedly be ready to
adjourn by Tuesday noon, the business, except