The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-09-23
Detroit NJ. 2. Conference.

During this week the Detroit Conference
OF the Methodist Episcopal church has held
it annual session here. Over 800 dis
tinguished visitors have been in attend
ance at the morning. afternoon and evening
meetings, and the majority of them will re-
main until the wind up next Monday even
ing. The visitors come from all parts of
eastern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
1t Is the largest conference in the Metho-
dist Episcopal church. They are a fine
body of men. The figures of many are
bent and their heads whitened by the pass
age of many winters, but the clear eye and
keen intellect betokens fresh, sturdy spirits
still. Youthful faces are conspicuous for
| their absence. Yet the infusion of young
blood has not been found necessary to give
| the meetings the requisite push and snap.
They have all been interesting and we'll at
| tended.
Some very distinguished speakers have
addressed the meetings among whom were
Rev. o. w. Willis, returned missionary
from China who has given series of talks
every afternoon at o'clock in the parlOrs
of the Baptist church. G. III. Payne, secre-
| tary OF the board of education has over
flowed on several different occasions on his
favorite hobby. To TINES reporter he
| said:
in 1879 the idea of assisting young chris
tian men through college was received and
a sinking fund of $65000 was accordingly
placed in the hands of IL trustees by the gen.
eral conference, for this purpose. Since
then this work has progressed mar
velously and the good done to the
church is incalculable. This sum was Judi
ciOusly invested and the accured interest to-
gether with the collections have swelled the
fund to $226,000. We have paid all ex-
penses and given aid to over 1900 young
men. We assisted 1880 last year. The
money is loaned to them to be paid back
on the installment plan. We have over
$500,000 out in loans. This money is
gradually coming back. We received SIS, 800
last year. Its great work and am proud
of it. We have over 200 colleges, high
schools and academies"
The Conference began on Wednesday
morning at o'clock and the forenoon was
consumed by the routine of business. The
case of Rodney ID. Robinson, of Charleston,
Mich, came up for trial. 1t appears that
Robinson had charges preferred against him
this spring by several ladies in his cOngreg-
alton who thought they detected a tinge of
immortality about his sermons. A tempo
rary'hearing was held in March at Detroit
and his trial fixed for this session. A jury
of 15 with the Rev. John McEldowney as
foreman, was appointed and the trial took
place in the Diciples church. 1t was hotly
contested. No decision has been reached
yet, although the trial has been i'm progress
every evening.
On Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 O'clocl
occurred the meeting of the Detroit Confer.
ence Superannuated Preachers aid society
Addresses on the subject of worn ou
preachers were delivered by Rev. j. Benson
Hamilton ID. d., corresponding secretary o.
the Veteran Ministers Association and
Rev. G. III. Payne, secretary of the board
of education. Mr.. Hamilton is compare
lively young man who has a horror OF
growing old and has enlisted his services in
the cause of those already in their dotage
He is an energetic worker and fOrcefu
, speaker. His illustrations were sharp an(
! striking. Mr., Hamilton hopes to see tn,
time when the old veterans, who have wOr!
themselves out i'm the service of the church
shall be as well cared for as the states in
dgent soldiers. EVERY minister" he saiC
''can see the dread spector of proverty ap
preaching. To some it stares in the face
: Others can fight it off but we must all NEE
it sooner or later. One of the most dreadfn
moments i'm Methodist ministers life ]:
: that when he asks his conference for TIN
superannuated relation. Some plan SHOULD
be found which would provide for the com
fort of our old ministers no longer in activ,
: service"
In the evening at 7:30 O'clock, the educa
: tional anniversary was celebrated. Stirrin,
addresses were given by Rev. G. Ii. Payn
a ID. ID. education secretary and Rev. +. A
9 Smart agent of Alumni Professorship at Al
: bion College. DR.. l.. r.. Fiske ID. ID. l.. L
. ID. President of the College, was expect
q ed to speak but was detained on account o.
pressing duties at Albion. The church wa
, filled to over1owing. The education inter
!, ests of the denominations are in very pros
4 porous condition according to the speaker:
3 as is proved by the existence, work ant
y high standing of her 200 seminaries, col
!, leges and universities. Mr.. Smart spok,
I at some length in behalf of the alumni o
y Albion College to found various chairs an,
v to more perfectly equip the school. Th
9 meeting broke up at 1880 o'clock.
!. Bright and early on Thursday mornin,
|, the visiting brethren began to gather i'm TIN
= vicinity of the church. At $50 o'clock tb,
a conference was called to order by Bishop G
. ii. Fowler with the full number in attend
a ance. The entire morning was occupied
n with the business of the denomination
q After the reading of the minutes, DIR. L.. r
: Fiske, of Albion College, made his appear
q ance and stated that as the formal openinl
!, IF his institution takes place tomorrow
o morning ii would be impossible for him t
: remain. Hes submitted his annual report
. which showed that the college was in first
:. class condition. There are over 600 now OF
Q the rolls. A new library building and
> chemical laboratory are in process of con
! struction. The money was donated b.
. James Mcmillan. Mr.. Fiske asked eac
s pastor present to take up collection fron
: their various congregations, the proceeds o
. which will establish $4,000 professorsh
n at Albion for the study of the English bible
r. A resolution was passed, adopting the re
4 port embodying this request.
Reports were heard from the folowin
c districts: Flint district, Rev. Andrew Bigt
d low presiding elder; Port Huron district,
it K. Springer presiding elder; Lake Supero
le district, Rev. Bartlett presiding elder; Ba
Y. City district and the Saginaw district Rev
Of Seth Reed presiding elder. All were foun
Dr. to be i'm prosperous condition with the e,
ic ception of Bay City. The recent fire ther
er destroyed large amount of church propert,
es leaving some of the pastors destitute and tn
work at a stand still. The conference we
asked for help. The missionary report