Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-04-14
THE METHODISTS
Resume Sessions Of Annual
Conference at Westbrook.
Bishop Ninde Arrives and Presides---
Reports Of Presiding Elders
Show Their Districts 10 b In splendid Shape
The Days uerk.

WgsraRooK, April 49, - The Maine
Methods, Conference resumed its session
Thursday morning. Bishop Ninde pre-
| sided
The first half hour was devoted to devo-
tional exercises which were conducted by
Rev. G. F. Cobb
Rev. George X. Palmer opened the bus
mess session. but was soon relieved of his
duties as chairman by the arrival of Bishop
Ninde of Kansas, who arrived soon after 8
o'clock. Bishop Ninde is sixty-one years
of age, il a man of fine intellectual appear
anee, and Possesses a strong and resonant
voice, and made an excellent impression.
The reading of the minutes of the last
meeting was the frs, business. On motion
of Re-. Mr.. Aiien, it was voted To adjourn
at 0.45.
A resolution was introduced by Rev. W.
s. McIntire providing that the committee
on examinations report TO the conference
the rank of each student in the conference
school. The resolution was adopted.
Rev Mr. McIntirc reported plan for
the distribution of money in hands of the
conference stewards for the benefit of su-
perannuated preachers.
The plan is as follows:
One Sunday in each year shall be set
apart by the annual conference to be
known as Veterans Day On this day
subscriptions and collections shall be made
for conference claimants aside from other
interests. The money shall be distributed
on the following plan: The amount raised
shall be divided into sums. The first sum,
80 per cent of the amount, is to be called
the annuity fund; 30 per cent of the
amount is to be designated as the necessi-
tous fund. All superannuated ministers,
the widows, aud children under 10 years of
age of deceased ministers shall be confer
ence claimants. unless the claim be volun-
tarily relinquished.
The annuity fund shall be divided among
claimants upon the following basis; Each
minister shall receive annually $40 for
each year of his effective service; each
widow one-half of her husbands claim;
each child one-fifth the fathers claim.
The necessitots fund shall be divided
among claimants, whether superannuates,
widows or children, whose annuities are in
sufficient for their needs, in such proper
tons as the committee may deem equitable.
This plan is essentially the same as that
adopted by other conferences.
Presiding Elder Palmer of the Portland
district, followed with a gratifying report
of this district. Special work in the line of
revivals is reported but it states that
evsngelsts have been less employed than
heretofore. Special mention is made of the
great revival at Berwick.
Presiding Elder A. S. Ladd read an in
tensely interesting report from the Augusta
district He informed the conference that
the year in this district had been one of
great harmony and prosperity. of the 80
charges in this district q have preachers
from the conference, eight have had the
service of local preachers during the entire
year. three for portions of the year.
1t has been good year, spiritually, there
having been many genuine revivals, and
the membership of the churches has been a
gratifying increase.
In the several places, notably Park
street, Lewiston, and Bowdoinham, the
Sunday schools have removed from the
vesteries into the audience rooms, greatly
to their advantage. In Auburn, Brunswick
and Lisbon, the vestries have been much
improved. Several large Sunday schools
have had a healthy growth and all are
thriving well.
The following Improvements in church
property were reported; The church at
Bethel has been completed at cost of
$4,000. The property is valued at $500.
At Chebeague the church has been recon-
structed and enlarged at an expense of
$1,000.
The church at Naples was reopened in
the early summer after undergoing extern
sive repairs at a cost of 1920. No debt
The church vestry at Auburn has been
repainted at an expense of $500 and the
church debt met through generosity of
lady member.
At Bowdoinham $500 was expended in
much needed repairs. A similar sum ex-
pended at Brunswick for repairs on the
vestry. At Hammond street. Lewiston, the
church edifice has been repaired at an e1-
pense of 500. Other less expensive re-
pairs is at Bridgton, Mason, Gorham, n.
H.. Buckiield, Naples, West Cumberland,
Baldwin, Falmouth, East Poland and Dur
BAN. Salaries have been increased at Au-
burn. Bowdoinham, Fryeburg and Stowe,
East Poland and Mlnot.