News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-05-06
The Vermont Conference.
From st. Adams Messenger.l

THURSDAY, Apr. %, 1886.
The session proper of the 42d Annual
Conference began in Chelsea to-day at
9 clock, Bishop John F. Hurst in the
chair. The Bishop conducted the devO-
tIonal services and with the assistance
of the Presiding Elders and senior
preachers, administered the sacrament
Of the Lords Supper. At ten o'clock,
after Introductory remarks by. the Bishop
proceeded to the organization of the
Conference. R. Morgan, the Secretary
of the last Is sessions, called the roll of
members, and IS preachers responded to
their names. Rev r. Morgan was re-
elected Secretary, and Geo. b. Smith and
Geo. l.. Story, assistants; Railroad Sec
rotary, F. 2. Frost; statistical Secre
taries, F. W. Lewis and r: l.. Bruce.
The hours of meeting and adjournment
were fixed respectively at $50 and II As
a. M, the first half hour to be devoted
TO religious exercises The standing
committees nominated last year were
revised and confirmed. Communications
from the New England Conference, con-
tanning resolutions passed by that body
endorsing the action of congress in rela-
ton to Indian affairs, was read by the
Secretary, and referred to special com
mlttee on the Indian question. DR.. w.
| A. Spencer, Chaplain McCabe's success
sOr In the work of Church Extension,
was introduced, and made brief ad-
dress in the interest of that society.
Rev. John d. Knox of the Kansas Con-
ference was also introduced.
A special session washeld at half-paSt
| one p. M, with J. E9Sherburne in the
chair. The several charges reported
| their statistics, and benevolent monies
Following this service came the ami
versary of the Woman's Home Mission
airy Society, Mrs. A. NJ Wheeler presid-
ing. Mrs I. p. Frost. Secretary of the
Vermont Auxiliary, submitted an en-
couraging report of the work for the
past year. Mrs. Jennie f. Willing, a
sister Of Bishop, 5s.as<andf Secretary
| ton of this society, was introduced, and
| for an hour edited and instructed to a
high degree by the remarkable ability OF
| the speaker as she portrayed the condl--
| ton of our country and the necessity OF
| the work of home missions and cOllec-
| ton amounting to $50 was taken at the
close of this address.
In the evening the house was filled to
listen to an address by DR.. W. A. Spen-
Ger ON the work of Church Extension So
ciety. The speaker was so interesting
and earnest that the indOmitable chap
| lain was forgotten by many, save in the
these aggressive workers. The speaker,
| like the chaplain, also favored the audi
ence with several songs which were
pleasing. Five hundred and fifty dollars
was pledged by the Conference to carry
on the work the coming year.
SECOND DAY.
The Conference met at half-past eight
o'clock and devoted half an hour to
1
in giving JUNCTION and power to feeble
| inStrumentalitieS
At O'Clock resumed business, Bishop
Hunt in the chair. Several preachers
responded to their names who were not
present yesterday. 1t was ordered that
| the roll call be dispensed with during
| the remainder Of the session. The min
utes of yesterdays proceedings were
| read by Assistant Secretary Story, and
approved. Took up the Goth question
was the character of the preacher eX-
amined? and the several districts were
called. X. Morgan read historical
sketch in connection with the report of
the work on his district
The committee on re-districting the
Conference, which was raised last year.
reported, through j. a. Sherburne,
chairman, the result of their investiga-
lions as follows:
1st.-Rad we adhered strictly to the action OF
the last conference which claimed that with three
districts each Presiding Elder would be able dur.
ing the year to give two Sunday services to each
pastoral charge in his district, we should have
been obliged to report adversely to the proposed
change, even had none of the charges more than
one preaching place; but as many of them have
more than one, when custom requires there
should be held by the Presiding Elder quarter
ly meeting session we find the matter still more
complicated.
2d.-We were confronted by the fact that such
action would involve the breaking up of district
lines and associations. which by many are held
dear.
3d.-And german to the above there would be
botting out of one district as such, its name its
prestige, its centre.
4th.-We found difficulty in equalizing the
districts and arranging them as to make them
workable.
On the other hand we
LIST, recognize the fact that this question of
three di5tricts is not neSs one andits agitation
2d,-As indicated in the action of the last confer
Jce, the present year is an opportune time to
effect such change.
3rt.-In comparing the Vermont Conference
with the other New England Conferences with
respect to number and expense of the 2. E's we
of efficient oversight in those Conferences be
cause of the fewness of P. ELS. We fiatter our
selves that the working power of the Vermont
Conference preachers will compare fayorably
with that of preachers CT other Conferences
4th.-And finally, by reducing the number of
Districts from four to three will be left us one
more efficient minister for other importent work
and less the expense. We therefore recommend
that the Conference in Conference assent l ed
request the presiding Bishop in the arran cement
of the work for the year to divide the Conference
into three Districts.