The Newtown bee., 1889-04-12
be vacant. Ansonia has been beforehand


 with the work and bought one of the fin- est parsonages in the district already built. The religious work of the district, 1 think, has been carried forward with corresponding success. There have been no great ingatherings or sweeping reviv- als; but the breath of revival has rested on goodly number of the charges and left it's evidence in many souls gracious ly quickened and converted. Woodbury has made considerable addition to it's already prosperous church. I hope it will stand to the district, as it does to the credit of the First church of Waterbury. that bequest of the late Miss Mary F. Peck has, during the year, conveyed to the general missionary treasury the handsome sum of 5000. To some of us, the year has been one of trial and troub- le and sickness and sorrow and death. No preacher has fallen at his work, but, in the families of several, death has left vacant place. In the home of Brother Range, it was son just coming iuto man. hood that went away to come not back In closing this paper, I wish to record my profound gratitude to my Heavenly Father for all his ways of grace and mer- cy during the year that has gone. have, too, a lively sense of the multitndinous ways in which, throughout the year, I have received the kind consideration and attention of preachers and people. I owe them many thanks and they shall have my lasting gratitude
 AFTERNOON.
 The anniversary of the Women's home missionary society was the order of bus mess. Rev R. s. Pardington presided. Mrs J. A. Langtry of Brooklyn reported that the society now has 67 conference organizations, 1910 auXiliaries with ST. 900 members, go missionaries, two mis- sion stations in Mexico, one at Castle Garden and three among the Indians. At Brooklyn, the Working Girls home sup plies a need long felt among girls who have learned in the excitement of shop work to love the street. A sewing school is connected with the home; suitable books are also furnished to the girls at their homes; nearly $20O0 received and disbursed, last year.
 Rev c. $. Williams of Seymour made
 a lengthy address on the work of the CO., ciety. ''I'hc rapidity with which woman has been raised from her position of ser
 vitude is marvellous. In 1915, woman
 was sold in Smithfield market, England,
 for two and six pence, with an addition
 al six pence for the rope. After the lapse
 of half century, English institutions
 are opening annexes in which women are
 educated for the highest positions oi
 church and state. With the women oi
 Methodism lies the great responsibility
 of the mission work of the church. They should let fashions alone till they get uI wonder and devote themselves moro
 wholly to this work
 , Mrs E. J. Matthews of the bureau o1 : immigration at Castle Garden and Mrs , J. Q. Maynard followed with interesting addresses.
 , IN THE EVENING,
 ) The church was filled to overhowing when Rev Dr George Lansing Taylor O New York preached eloquently upon tn, centennial of New England Methodism Saturday.
 l The words of admonition addressed tt i candidates for connection with the con. 1 ference by Bishop Foster were worthy the consideration of candidates or clergy of all denominations. He said ''It Ina! always been considered very importan , part of the conference, when it is GUS tomary each year for the bishop to ad |, dress not only the candidates, but eacf } member of the conference as well; ant l thus we have brought afresh to ou , minds the great responsibility of the Christian ministry. Our church make: it of great importance that fit persons b, chosen to instruct the flock of Chris and no man is fit to be a preacher who
 has not had thorough religious eXperi ence as an indispensable qualification We require candidates to remain on tria ; two years, in order that we may decide whether they are suitable to become pas tors and that we may not bring into oul , pulpits men who are not worthy of tho charge. On the whole, our preachers
 are a creditable lot of men; but, in { ministry of F, 1000 or 5000 and as many . licensed preachers, it is impossible but some hirelings must creep in, Every , year, our ministers have to pass an or
 deal, when the question is asked in open
 conference, Is there anything against ; this man?' The answer, in every case
 must be emphatically, 'No;' yet we dc not deny that we have many inefficient pastors and are not up to the standard which we desire. Ask yourselves what } sort of men you should be as pastors o1 the flock. l am sure thoughtful study of this question would be of benefit to . us all. I beseech you, consider what , sort of men we should be among the
 people where we go. There should be such fibre in our characters that the world would be compelled to recognize
 us as representative Christian men, foI l we stand before the public everywhere
 as the highest type of manhood. If we fall below that standard, the ministry sinks into disgrace. There is a widely prevailing fault; great failure among
 us to be manly, robust, godly men, that
 our parishioners may feel q proper pride
 and joy in us when we meet. It is a mis. E fortune to any people to have a pastor
 whom they are ashamed to introduce as
 such. By the terms of our covenant. wt are set apart from all secular occupa- , tions and surrender ourselves wholly tc the cause of building souls into the king
 dom of Christ. The church pays us for