The Portland daily press., 1886-04-30
THE METHoDlsTs.
Sixty-Second Session of the Maine
Conference at Bridgton.
Especial to the Press.

BRIDGToN, April 29.-The Maine Conference Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church commenced its
sixty-second annual session in the Methodist
Episcopal church here yesterday, Bishop Henry
w. Warren, d. d. presiding The preliminary
meeting in the evening was of a social character,
conducted by Z. Martin.
This morning at O'Clock Rev. G. w. Bradlee
preached the annual missionary sermon, selecting
as his text Matt xiii So: "The field is the world"
The sermon was an able effort, full of thought,
and listened to with much interest.
Mr. Bradlee is to be transferred to the New
Hampshire Conference and stationed at Roches-
ter and Mr.. Bass from that place is to be trans
ferred to Maine and take Mr.. Bradlee's place in
Augusta.
AT 10 O'Clock the Bishop opened the regular
session with a brief but inspiring address, and
the congregation raised the song, "And are we
yet alive" etc.
The conference roll was then called by the
Secretary of last year, and 10 members respond
ed. When the names of A. Sanderson, /. Lord,
E. simons, A. B. Lovswell and S. W. Hutchinson
were called there was silence, for these workers
have ssentered into their rest"
officers were elected as follows:
Secretary-Geo. c. Andrews.
y Assistant Secretary-Herbert S. Foss.
Financial Secretary-F. Q. Rogers
Assistant Secretarfes-W. F. Marshall and c..
t. Parsons.
The Conference ordered the usual committees,
and the following is the list of chairmen:
Public Worship-C. F. Allen.
Tducation-E NJ Smith.
Methodist Literature-J. W Bashford.
Admission to Conference-Charles Munger
Conference Relations-E Martin;
Fraternal Relati0nS-W M Sterling.
Temperance-G. ID. Lindsay.
Marriage and Divorce-E. i. Adams.
Observance of the Sabbath-G. d. Holmes
Bible Cause-G. It. Cobb.
Sunday Schools and Tracts-W; F. Berry.
Church ExtensiOn-C. w. Bradlee.
Freedmen's Adv +. Holmes
Domestic Missions-R. Sanderson.
Church Add Luce.
Memoirs-C. j. Clarke.
The trustees reported S472.73 in their hands,
for conference claimants.
The Bishop announced a dividend from the
charter fund of $50 and from the Book Concern
$161, for the same purpose.
The Bishop reported the claim on the conference
for the Episcopal fund, 1858. Referred to special
committee.
General Conference claims on the conference
were $631 for expenses of next General CONFER
ence. Referred to special committee.
Question Xxx was taken up. Augusta District
reported by Presiding Elder Pottle. The names
of the pastors were called, and their characters
and administrations passed favorable review.
The Portland District was then called, and rep
resented by Presiding Elder Jones as in very
fourishing condition, spiritually and temporarily.
Tie work and character of each preacher passed
without criticism.
After reading the Journal, the Conference ad-
journed to meet on Friday, at a. nl
ITO the Associated Press.]
BRIDGToN, April 29.-Yesterday's preliminary
proceedings of the Methodist Conference In
this place comprised the examination of classes.
In the evening a prayer meeting was led by Rev.
e. Martin. This meeting attracted multitude Oh
worshippers, and was good meeting. ON the
| platform were two aged and veteran elergymen,
Rev. w. f. Harrington, who made some good talk,
and Campmeetins John Allen, who was introduc-
ed by Chairman Martin, as youthful friend, a
hero of 81 years, who had attended $50 camp
meetings.; cam 1 right as to the number?' he
asked, turning to the aged minister
"Yes," replied the veteran, that's just the
number; only $780,"
quaint manner he amused and delighted the audi
ence, creating laughter and applause. He prayed
with great feTvor, and that the brethren III their
PRAYERS would stop when they got through.
There were beside large number of prayers
and exhortations and singing by the congrega-
ti0n.
This morning at O'Clock, an excellent mis-
sionary sermon was preached by Rev. q ".
Bradlee. His SuDJecL was; lHc i.eSpon nsiDiiisy
of the Church for the Conversion OF the World
text: Matthew xiv:38.
All $50 O'Clock the conference was organiZed
and called to order by Bishop Warren. The
hymn Are We Yet Aliye?" was sung by the
congregation. The roll was called by Secretary
George G. Andrews, and was responded 10 by
seventy-two. There were absent thirty-seven.
Those deceased during the past year are: Aaron
Sanderson, AlpheuS B. L0veWell, Isaac LORD,
Eleazer w. Hutchinson, E. w. Simons.
George G. Andrews was reelected correspond
ing secretary, with permission to appoint his as
were appointed Il. F. Jones was elected statls-
tical secretary, with w. f. Marshall and @. f.
Parsons as assistants.
The sacrament was administered to one hundred
and thirty-Seven.
DR. Allen, chairman of the committee on ap-
pointments, reported lstof standing committees,
the same as last year, who were elected The re
port OF the treasurer was received and the CONFER
ence then proceeded to the twentieth question,
'Has the character of each preacher been exam
ned?"
The Augusta district was reported by Rev. DIR.
Pottle; Portland district by Rev. w. 5. Jones;
Lewiston district to be reported tomorrow.
In the afternoon occurred the anniversaries OF
the Freedman'S Aid Society and Home Missionary
Society, with a very fine address by Bishop War
rem. who reviewed the cause which led to the for
nation of these two societies; gave statement OF
their present condition, much OF which was from
personal observation, and gave pathetic pictures.
Then the meeting of the Preachers Aid Society
was held. officers were elected as follows:
President-E Martin.
Vice President--C E. Bisbee.
Secretary-l. Luce.
Treasurer--C. j. Clarke.
Managers-Geo. W. Davis, Samuel Patterson,
j. B. Donnell.
Auditor-J. b. Donnell.
Tonight an interesting and graphic lecture was
delivered by Rev. j, GerrSh on 1.-The war as a