Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-09-24
N. E. Conference.

The annual Nj. 4. conference of the M.
L. churches of eastern Michigan commenc-
ed In this city last Thursday morning and
ended last night. The sessions
were held in the society's church on
Chisholm street. Bishop Andrews of
New York presided. The ministers In
attendance numbered about 800.
The conference was not a revival meet
ing but was the annual business session
Of all the churches comprised in the dis
trict. There is transacted great amount
Of business In regard to the various
churches, such as their standing, finances,
membership, the gospel work done, i'm
provements, and the appointment of min
listers to the various churches. New ap-
plicants for ministerial positions are ex-
amined, and II found worthy are author
lied to preach. Charges against men,
bers are investigated and If found true,
the guilty ones are either reprimanded
or expelled. The greater part Of the
work Is OF routine nature, OF but little
interest to the public generally, but
sometimes the discussion of questions
before the conference would get lively.
In fact the conference is Legislative
body which makes the laws and which
governs the M. f. churches, and 1t Is al
so court Of justice to administer those
laws and punish tho ones who transgress
them.
On Saturday morning the younger min
listers were being examined in regard to
their proficiency, and during the session
an instance came up which illustrates
how the conference takes it's members
to task for violation Of its precepts. A
candidates name would be called and the
question put Is there anything against
him. II there was it would be stated.
The chairman Of the committee would
then read his examination per centage.
For instance one was sermon g. ancient
history 0, christian science 8, and so on
for the entire list after which the chair
man would say the candidate had read
the books. The presiding elder Of the
district to which the candidate belonged,
would then give his opinion of the quail
flcations and ability of the applicant.
II the reports were favorable the confer
ence then voted to allow the candidate
to remain on trial for the coming year.
One candidate was charged with smoking.
He was called before the bishop, pleaded
mi nj al 30 -
the habit, and promised to do his best to
conquer his appetite for tobacco. One
member said that tobacco must be wiped
out Of conference. The bishop caution
ed the tobacco user, and said he would
be retained one year on trial. but that II
he did not succeed in getting over the
habit Of using tobacco he would be ex-
PEELED from the conference.
The visiting ministers are fine and
intelligent body Of men. They commenc-
ed to arrive here on Tuesday night Of
last week, and every train and boat for
two or three days after brought large
numbers OF delegates, over one hundred
arriving Wednesday night. The minis
tiers were taken in charge by the citizens
and furnished comfortable places to stop,
free OF charge, during their weeks stay.
Many citizens who could not accommodate
them at their homes paid their board and
lodging at the hotels.
At the Golling "a ministers and 4
ladies were provided for, and large
number were similarly entertained at the
Churchill.
Our citizens were pleased to see the
ministers here, they did their best to
make their stay pleasant one, and the
only regret was that the conference could
not have been held at more agreeable
time than during the prevalence Of the
stormy and boisterous equinoctial gales
which always prevail at this season Of
the year.
Every evening there were religious
services at which some eminent divine
charmed his many hearers with his elo-
quence. On Sunday morning and evening,
at the Methodist, Congregational and
Baptist churches, the sermons were by
members Of the conference, and those
churches were unable to hold all who de-
sired to hear the eloquent speakers.
We trust that every member Of the
conference will leave Alpena with pleas
ant feelings and with agreeable remem-
brances Of his visit here.