The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-04-24
Vermont Methodist Conference.

The work of the forty-fifth annual ses-
sion of the Vermont Conference began in
the Morrisville Methodist Episcopal church
Wednesday, April Il. The conference con-
sists of four districts-St. Adams, Spring
field, Montpelier and st. Johnsbury dis
tricts-with Rev f. w. Culver Rev. r.
Morgan, Rev. A. B. Truax and Rev. S.
Donaldson, respectively, presiding elders.
These four districts have in all nearly two
hundred preachers. A large number of
clergymen arrived Tuesday evening and
were pleasantly located by Rev. w. X.
Puffer, pastor in charge, who, assisted by
Rev G., l.. Story arranged for the entertain
ment of preachers and their wives. Wednes-
day morning prayer-meeting was con-
Quoted by Rev. w. c. Robinson of West
Berkshire. AT the conclusion of the re-
ligious service, the work of examining the
classes by the regularly appointed COM
mittees was commenced. The class for adj
mission on trial in travelling connection
was as follows; Il. c. 7. Mckenzie, g. II.
Wright, W. E. Allen, r. c. Vail and the
examining committee were w. G. Robinson,
II. A. Bushnell and 7. Trevillian. Following
are the classes and examiners: First year,
+. E. Reynolds, d. G. Thatcher, A Greg
DRY. q. o. Howe, examined by w. S. Smith
ers, w. r. Davenport, l.. Dodd; second
year, c. NJ Carpenter, l.. T. Tucker, F. f.
Gurrier, examined by n. W; Wilder. a. J.
Hough, II. Webster: third year, w, f.
Douglas, j. f. Farrow, G.. A. Emery, ex-
amined by g. L. Story w. n. Roberts, W.
NJ. ellis; fourth year, c. f. Partridge and
S. l.. Hodges, examined by j. A. Sherburne,
c. A. Smith and A. b. Blake. j. Hamil-
ton, j. S. Upper and c. II. Sweat, exam
ined l., w. Brigham, w. f. Allen and G.. II.
Wright for deacon's orders. One local
preacher was examined for elders orders.
NJ. II. Ryan, by c. Taplin, W. |. TODD and
j. f. Knapp. The larger part of the day
was taken up by these examinations, and
at seven o'clock in the evening the annual
conference sermon was preached by Rev.
Il. l.. Bruce of Springfield
Thursday morning the session opened at
half-past eight o'clock with a prayer-meet-
ing, led by Rev. f. w. Culver. At nine
o'clock Bishop William y. Ninde made his
appearance and presided at the sacramental
service. The bishop then opened the bust
ness session with an impressive address upon
the importance of the work before the con-
ference. After the roll-call by the secre-
tary, which showed thirty-ive absentees,
the following officers were elected: Secre-
tary, Rev. Richard Morgan; assistant secre-
taries, Revs. George Smith and G.. l.. Story
treasurer, G.. H. Farnsworth; railroad Sec
rotary, f. N Roberts; statistical secretary,
f. W. Lewis The report of the nominating
committee, containing the list of standing
committees, was then made. After a
lengthy discussion in regard to the de-
ficiency of S4l5 for general conference ex-
ptnStS, III WAS leIJ To tHe preSlulnp elders 10
proportion the assessments necessary TO
raise the amount. Revs C. III. Parkhurst,
DID,, editor of ZiOn'S Herald, l.. III. Elliot,
agent Of the Vermont Bible Society, and w.
A. Spencer, ID, of the Church Extension
Society were introduced and made interest
ing addresses in regard to their departments
of work Rev. A. A. Smith, fraternal dele
gate from the Congregational church, also
made few remarks. In the afternoon the
annual missionary sermon was preached at
half-past one by Rev. w. S. Smithers who
took for his text Matthew XVI: s, To
what purpose is this waste?" The annual
service of the Woman's Foreign Missionary
Society Immediately followed, with Mrs.
Folsom presiding. Scripture was read by
Mrs. NJ. p. Bell, and prayer offered by Rev.
j. ID. Beeman. DR.. Spencer of Philadel-
phia was introduced as the speaker of the
| hour, Miss Knowles of India, who was eX-
pected TO address the meeting, not being
present. The statistical session of the con-
| ference followed. The evening was de-
voted to the subject of church extension,
the address being delivered by Rev. DIR.
| Spencer.
Friday morning brought an increased at
! tendance. A meeting of the Historical So
! ciety was held at eight o'clock TO make ar
rangements for printing historical sketches
| of members of the conference. A prayer
meeting was held at half-past eight, Pre-
siding Elder Donaldson of st. Johnsbury
leading. 1t was decided to change the
name of the Vermont Conference Seminary
and Female College to the Vermont Meth
odist Seminary, and w. S. Smithers j, o
Sherburn and G H. Smith were elected
trustees. The secretary announced the re-
ceipt of draft for 1856, which could be or.
dered on the New York Book Concern for the
benefit of the conference Encouraging re-
ports were made by the presiding elders and
by Professor Il. A. Bishop, principal of the
Vermont Methodist Seminary. DR.. Chad
wick made a strong address on behalf of the
Freedmen's Aid Society. DR.. Broadbeck
spoke briefly on behalf of the Young Peo
pies Christian League. At half-past one IN
the afternoon the anniversary of the
Woman's Home Missionary Society was OBJ
served, Mrs. p, n. Granger presiding. Rev