The Portland daily press., 1890-04-25
THE METH0DISTS IN SESSION AT BATH.
Points of Interest In the Proceedings
Of the Maine Conference.
Days Recalled When Salaries Were
Less than a Dollar Day.
Reports From the Districts Show the
Churches To Be Prosperous.
Especial to the Press.1

ltnueu tut anniversary Ol tuo OUnlcIonCo
Missionary Society. The sermon was
preached by Rev. w. S. McIntlre of Lewis
ton. The text was from Cor. xv., 25. The
preacher presented the contest between
Christ and the enemies to Christ. He pre-
sented four great systems of religion as op-
posed to Christ. Buddhism, Confucianism,
Mohammedism and Brahminism. He gave a
view Of these several systems of religion,
and showed where the Christian religion was
superior. He showed that Of the estimated
population of the world, the population en-
bracing Christianity was very much larger
than either Of the other systems of re ligion
That they were waning, while Christianity
was constantly increasing.
Following this was the anniversary OF the
Woman's Home Missionary. Society, Mrs.
DIR. G. r. Allen presiding. A very able ad-
dress was delivered by Rev. Mr.. Thayer,
who has spent several years as principal of
South. His presentation Of the needs of the
South, especially of the poor whites, was
very vivid and impressive.
At o'clock there was held the annual
meeting of the Preachers Aid Society. The
reports of the officers we've presented and
adopted. There was appropriated to the
needy preachers from the income from the
funds 5000. This is but small amount to
each when divided among the needy claim
ants.
The officers of the society for the ensuing
year are:
President-Rev. E. Bisbee.
Treasurer-J. b. Donnell.
Secretary-Rev. j. Luce
Vice President-Rev. A. S. Ladd.
ManagerS-W. s. Mclntire, j. Ii. Lapham, A.
W. Pottle, P. Chandler.
The amount Of invested funds is about
$4,000.
The evening was devoted to the Freed
mans Aid and Southern Educational So
ciety. A very able and stirring address was
secretary Of the society. This society is do
ing great work in the education Of the
freedmen of the South, as also among the
poor whites. They have several fiourishing
schools and higher seminaries, as well as one
or two theological seminaries for the educa-
tion of the ministers among the freedmen.
Yesterdays Session.
The conference met for social meeting at
$50 today. The meeting was led by Rev. A.
S. Ladd Of Auburn. The members Of the
goodly number of visitors and citizens, at
tend with interest the social meetings.
At O'Clock the conference was called to
order by the Bishop, when the business of
the conference was resumed. A committee
was appointed, of which G. +. Allen, ID. d.,
forming state or conference Methodist his
torical society. The conference then took
up the examination Of the character Of the
elders.
The Augusta district was called and the
presiding elder, Rev. G. G. Andrews, read
very interesting report of his district 1t has
been year Of general prosperity in the
district. The work was hindered by the
prevailing influenza, but upon the whole 1t
has been a year OF prosperity. A new camp
fitted up, which will be of great service to
the church In that section. Eleven chapters
of The Epworth League consisting of several
hundred members have been formed.
Church edifces have been built and improv-
ed during the year. The salaries OF the
nrUeechaeeTs a have S been p improved So So that they
lyan Seminary and Female College was re-
ported in a very prosperous condition. all
the preachers on the district passed an ex-
cellent record as to character and reputation.
The Lewiston District was called and Rev.
Il L. Adams, the presiding elder, presented
a very able report Of the state of the work in
his district. The church property has been
improved and general prosperity is reported.
All the preachers OF his district were report
ed as being without reproach.
The Portland District was called and Rev.
W. S. Jones, presiding elder, presented his
trict. Large sums had been.expended in lm-
proving the church property. Chestnut
street society had expended over nine thou
sand dollars for this purpose. There had
been an interesting revival in this church
and quite number had been received to the
fellowship of the church.
Other removals were reported in the dis
trict. The churches were generally reported
in a prosperous state. The preachers on
this district were all reported as being blame
less in life and conversation.
Rev: DR.. Raymond, president of the Wes-
leyan University, was introduced and gave a
very able address upon the subject of educa-
tion in the church. The university under
his charge was reported in very prosperous
condition. 1t stands now only the third in
New England. A very spirited temperance
discussion incidentally sprang up. in which
Jamaica ginger was handled without gloves.
At the close of the conference all assem-
bled in front of the church to be photo
graphed.
This afternoon was taken up with talk
on the Preachers Aid Fund. 1t was an in
teresting session. Rev. G. S. Inge was the
first speaker He said the preachers dion't
go into the work for what they could make
men that they would be superannuated some
time and to remember the golden rule.
Mr.. McIntire said minister was man
Of enc work and on an average salary could
save very little. He gave figures showing
rhe salaries Pa66 a. weeh eid tnose aeN new
claims of pastors in Maine was $27.29o. and
the amount collected was S22, ,498. The aver
age pastors salary was $237 In 1851 the to-
tai claims were $25, ,0O0, and the amount col
lected was $4,000 The average salary was
$2S7. The preacher then received on the av-
erage 81 cents per day; the woodturner and
shoemaker 81. But 40 per cent Of the
amount awarded the pastors was secured
last year.
j. M. Frost spoke earnestly. These old
l. IA Al ErNn
l3 who averaged service of % years 1t was
learned that their averge salary was 1886.
An old lady, daughter of Methodist clergy
man, had been sent to poor house. Mr.
Frost asked aid for her and collections Of
S3S was taken. The session then adjourned
At o'clock the annual meeting OF the
Maine Conference Missionary Society was
held. when these officers were elected:
President-Bishop Andrews.
Vice President-M. c. Pendexter.
Secretary-W. y. MeIutire.
Treasurer-W. 4. Holmes.
Audtors-T. +. Jones, j. M. Frost.
Managers-A. S. Ladd, J. A. Corey,W. +. Berry,
G. E. Bisbee.
At the same hour large and enthusiastic
meeting of the Woman's Foreign Missionary
Society was held in the vestry. Mrs. L. Luce
presiding.
In the evening was held the public mis-
SiOnary meeting.
During the morning session Of the confer
ence Rev. John Cobb, after a service OF AZ
years in the active ministry. was granted, at
his own request, superannuated relation.
Mr.. Cobb is 50 years old and has been very
faithful minister. He was stationed the last
two years at Gorham.
Fire at Old Orchard.
The light of fire was seen in the direc-
tion of Old Orchard, last evening, and later
it was learned that the house of Mr.. Phillips
at that place was burned. No particulars
were obtained.
Ice Crop Diminished.
BANGOR, April A.-Fire broke out at iO