St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-10-05
MINNESOTA METAODISTS.
The Church Parts With Rev. S. G. Smith
With Regret.
KIND WORDS SPOKEN OF HIM
Feeling Reference to His Recent Be-
reavement---0ther Doings of the
Conference.
Special to the Globe.

Special to the Globe.
WINoNA, Oct. 4.-The second days
session of the Minnesota Methodist con-
ference opened with devotional exer-
cises at o'clock, Rev. Aaron Turner,
of Red Wing, preaching the morning
sermon. The business meeting was
then opened by Bishop Hurst. Cases
for recognition of orders from other
denominations were referred to the
committee on admission on trial. 1t
was decided that all supplies be pre-
scented by the presiding elders and re-
ferred to the committee on admission.
Presiding Elder F. j. Wagner, of the
Minneapolis district, read his report.
Elders from other districts passed in
character and presented statistics. The
interesting moment of the session was
when the name of DR.. A. G. Smith, of
ST. Paul, was brought before the confer
ence by Presiding Elder S. B. Warnech,
who said that Mr.. Smith wished to with
draw. He moved that his withdrawal
be accepted. DIR. Smith was present,
and, being called for, said that for many
years he had labored in the Methodist
church and had done the best he could.
He had only the kindeSt feelings for the
Methodist church now, but he belived
he could do better work elsewhere, and
asked to have his withdrawal
passed on by the conference. The
genercl feeling towards DIR. Smith was
of the kindliest nature by all who eX-
pressed themselves. Bishop Hurst
said there existed throughout the con-
ference the tenderest feeling for DR..
Smith on account of the work he had
done in the church, and on account of
his late bereavement. The bishop had
received letters from prominent men,
bers of the church expressing the hope
that DR.. Smith might retain his men,
bership with the Methodists. He had
acted honorably. Rev. John Pember-
ton, of Lake City, expressed his high
regard for Mr.. Smith, and thought the
conference ought to extend sympathy
in the loss of his beloved wife. Elder
MeCleary, of Fergus Falls, said many
of the frontier ministers owed their
warm clothes
TO MRS. SMITH
and would always revere her memory.
Dr Levi Gilbert believed every one felt
the same kind feeling. towards DR.
Smith, and hoped he might abundantly
prosper in his new field in ST. Paul.
Presiding Elder Showers spoke feelingly
in memory of Mrs. Smith. Rev. Mr..
Lathrop wished that even now Dr..
Smith might reconsider his determine
ton to withdraw and remain where he
belongs, among us. A discussion
arising as to whether DIR.
Smith withdrew from the min
istry or from the church.
DIR. Smith arose and stated that he
wished to withdraw both from the min
istry and from the church. His parch-
ment had already been handed in. A
motion to record the withdrawal was
then adopted unanimously and the COM
mittee on memoirs ordered to prepare
memoir of Mrs. Smith and present it
to the conference Rev. j. r. Smith
presented the credentials of Edwin
Beel, of st. Paul, who withdrew from
the ministry and the church. The re-
ports of elders were then continued.
Presiding elder, &. r. Hair, of Mankato
district, made his report. DR.. William
Butler, founder of Methodist missions
in Mexico and India, and Rev. j. D.
Peck, missionary secretary, were pre-
scented to the conference. Rev. j. II.
Crum, of the First Congregational
church, Winona, made a brief address
of greeting. Rev. DR.. Gray, of the
Freedman's Aid society, was also pre-
scented. The conference then adjourned.
This afternoon the Freedman's Aid and
Southern. Educational society was
handled by Rev. George w. Gray, d.
ID. The audience being so large, the
First Congregational church kindly ten
dered their church for the evening
services and the anniversary of the
Missionary society was held there to-
night. Interesting addresses were
made by Rev. William Butler, D. D.,
Rev. Bishop j. II. Hurst, d. D., and
Rev. ]. O. Peck,