The Portland daily press., 1893-04-14
In THE CONFERENCE.
What The Methodists at Westbrook
Did Yesterday.

Reports from the Districts-The Centen-
NAL of Methodism in aLaine-Interest-
ing Statistics of Money Offerings Pre-
pared by Father RandaII-Rev. DIR.
Aliens Recollections of Half Cen
fury as Clergymen-The Epworth
Leaguers
President Palmer called the business
meeting of the Methodist Conference
to order yesterday and stated that he had
not received any communication from
Bishop Ninde since Wednesday, but was
of the opinion that the bishop would ar
rive at some hour during the forenoon.
Secretary Berry read the records of
yesterdays meeting and they were ap-
proved.
Rev. Mr.. Randall and Rev. Mr.. Allen
made some remarks in reference to the
centennial of Maine methodism.
A motion was passed setting the time
of adjournment at 1916. 8e
A resolve was adopted requiring that
the rank of each student in each class in
the Itinerants' institute be reported to
the conference. 80
Rev. Mr.. McIntire reported plan for
the distribution of money in the hands
of the conference stewards for the bene-
fit of superannuated 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, go per cent of the
amount is to be called the annuity fund;
80 per cent of the amount is to be desig-
mated as the necessitous fund. All super
animated ministers, the widows, and
children under fifteen years of age of
deceased ministers shall be conference
claimants, unless the claim be volunta-
rily relinquished.
The annuity fund shall be divided
among claimants upon the following
basis: Each minister shall receive an
nually $40 for each year Of his effective
service; each widow one-half of her hus-
bands claim; each child one-fifth of the
fathers claim.
The necessitous fund shall be divided
among claimants, whether superannu-
ates, widows or children, whose annui-
ties are insufficient for their needs, in
such proportions as the committee may
deem equitable.
This plan is essentially the same as
that adopted by other conferences.
At9.05 Bishop Ninde arrived, and the
congregation arose as this distinguished
man of the Methodist church passed
down the main aisle. After introducing
the bishop, President Palmer resigned
the Craftsmanship.
The committee on Itinerants made its
report, and reported sos. II on hand, and
gave full account of receipts and ex-
penditures. 1t was voted that two-thirds
of the surplus fund be appro priated to
meet the expense of the Itinerants insoi-
tute.
Communications were read from presi-
dent and secretary of the National Tenn
perance society requesting appointment
of delegates to National conference of
temperance workers. Referred to proper
committee. Other communications were
read and referred to proper committee.
Presiding Elder A.. S. Ladd read an in
teresting report from the Augusta dis
trict.' He informed the conference that
the year in this district had been one of
great harmony and prosperity. OF the
3S charges in this district ~ have preach
ers from the conference. eight have had
the service of local preachers during the
entire year; three for portions of the
year.
In Auburn, Brunswick, and Lisbon,
the vestries have been much improved.
Several large Sunday schools have had
healthy growth and all are thriving we'll.
AT Chebeague the church has been re-
constructed and enlarged at an expense
of 1000.
The church at Naples was re-opened
in the early summer after undergoing ex-
tensive repairs at a cost of 1920. No
debt
" Other repairs are at Bridgton, Mason.
Gorham, N. H., Buckfield. Naples, West
Cumberland, Baldwin, Falmouth, East
Poland and Durham. Salaries have been
Increased at Auburn. Bowdoinham,
Fryeburg and Stowe, East Poland and
Minot, and in number of other church
es.
Presiding Elder Palmer, of the Port
land district, followed with a gratifying
report of this district. Special work in
the line of REVEALS is reported, but it
states that evangelists have been less en-
ployed than. heretofore. Sps cial men
ton is made of the great revival at Ber-
wick. The following is the reception of
members: Berwick, on probation, a.;
Biddeford, on probation, %, in full, %;
Old Orchard in full, 10; Pleasantdale,
on probation, 10, in full, "A; Chestnut
street, on probation, 40, in full, 60;Wood-
fords, on probation, 13, in full, Is; Con
gress street, on probation, 90 in full. n;
Saco, on probation, "a, in full, IL; Bux-
ton, on probation, TO-
In connection with church buildings,
the report in brief states that the stage
of building has passed, and improvements
are now the order of the day.
The church at Westbrook, the seat of
the conference, has paid on debt 81, 4S5
and expended $3.50, purchasing a bell