Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1894-04-27
METHODIST CONFERENCE,
The Annual Session at Bradford,
Ending Monday.

A high standard of spiritual life charac-
terized the Vermont Methodist conference,
which was in session at Bradford, begin
ming the 10th inst and ending the 23d
The visitors were handsomely entertained
by the people of Bradford. The first day
was devoted to the conference eNamina-
tions. Rev. y. w. Wilder was president
of the examining board, and Rev. w. r.
Davenport secretary Among the other
members were Revs. a. IL. Webb, w. 5.
Smithers, L. p. Tucker and c. f. Part
ridge. Adelbert A. Estabrook of West
Dover was one of the candidates for admis-
sion, and among those examined who had
been preaching two years was George II.
Rogers of Wardsboro.
The Epworth league anniversary was
held Tuesday evening. The principal adj
dress was by DR.. f. a. Smith of the CON
ference seminary. He spoke of the rapid
growth of the league, which now numbers
1900 chapters and 1000 junior leagues.
Miss Fannie Martin gave an address of
welcome, and Bishop Warren of Colorado,
the presiding officer of the conference re-
sponded. lie reioced in The 100000
names enrolled in five years. Rev. w. 5.
Smithers in his remarks plead for the help
of the young people to settle the question
pline and the old doctrines of Methodism.
The regular session of the conference
was opened Wednesday morning by Bishop
Warren. Rev. George l.. Story was chosen
secretary, Rev. w. 5. Smithers statistical
secretary and Rev. c. f. Partridge treas
urer. Rev. j. f. Dverty, formerly of
New Jersey, who has preached at Bellows
Falls the past year, was transferred to this
conference. Rev. Joseph Hamilton gave
! his report as presiding elder of the st.
| JOhnsbury district. \ new church has
been organized at South Albany and
new church edifice built at West Danville.
Jay reports 20 conversions and Barre has
received 30 pGobatiOners. In the whole
district $50 probationers have been receiv-
| ed. Twelve hundred dollars has been
| added to preachers salaries and benevolent
| contributions have been increased There
| are now IS leagues in the district, About
| 800 conversions and $50 received in full
| connection were reported. \ layman' 5
working and praying band has been organ
| lied for revival work.
The 10th anniversary of the Vermont
| conference was celebrated Wednesday aft
ernoon. Rev Alonzo Hitchcock, the only
member of the original conference who was
| present, offered the opening prayer Rev.
] II. a. = lltllCtl gave All ulStbl lNil ShtlNll'
Presiding Elder L. O. Sherbune made
the report for the st. Adams district Thurs
day morning. This district comprises 30
charges, all but two of which have been
pastorally cared for. The Epworth league
of this district is prospering, BIB CONVEX
sions being reported.
Rev. l.. l.. Beeman reported for the
Montpelier district, which contains IS
charges, mentioning those who had died
the past year. He spoke of Rev. O. K.
Edwards, former member of the confer
ence who died at Athens, where he preach
ed for II years of Rev. X. Morgan, for 10
years presiding elder and % years Secre-
tary of the conference, who was killed in a
carriage accident at Cobbleskill, y. y. of
Mrs. A. II. Webb of Montpelier; and of
Mrs. W. A. Bryant of Ludlow. Windsor
has received by legacies $4,000 for a new
church edfice There are in the district
80 Epworth leagues with over 200 mem
bers. Nearly 800 conversions have occurred
and about $50 have been received on pro
baton. Evangelist w. II. Jackson has
labored successfully at several places.
The anniversary of the conference mis-
siOnary society was observed Thursday
evening, the principal address being by
DR.. j. o. Peck, a native of Vermont The
W /
anniversary Friday afternoon.
At the meeting Saturday it was statet
that the book concern has made dividend
of 100000 this year, of which 1904 come,
to this conference in support of cOnferenc,
claimants.
EX-Gov. Dillingham;, president of The
board of trustees of the Vermont Methods
seminary, spoke on their report. TIL,
whole debt of the seminary amounts L
over SOL 900. A burden of nearly S4OOO
is upon it for interest alone. The endow
ment fund yields only $500 He mad,
an eloquent plea for the cause. DR.. f
NJ. Smith, the principal of the seminary
also spoke of its interests, and said it nov
had lS5 students. Rev. ii. a. Spence
,, spoke of the plan for raising this deb
and collection was taken, which, witt
pledges, amounted to over $500, seyera
ministers agreeing to raise 500.
The anniversary of the Woman's FoI
eign Missionary society was held Saturda
afternoon. Mrs l.. l.. Beeman, presiden
= of the society, presided. Mrs. \. i
: TruaX conducted the opening exercise,
The society reports S20l2 raised last veal
the largest amount in the history OF tn
y society. There are $50 auxiliary sOcietie,
/, with 1856 members. Miss Mary A. Dan
lollll, RETURNED missionary from J"pdl
t was the speaker.
e The memorial session of the conferenC
came Saturday afternoon Rev. \. ,
e Hough read the Psalm beginning "Lor
+ Thou hast been our dwelling place throug
It all generations" and offered prayer. Rev
c II. A. Spencer read paper upon Re-
+ Richard Morgan, and Rev. A. j. Hong
9 one upon Mrs. \. IL. Webb, Mrs. Webb W;
= born in New Brunswick in 1888. She vi
daughter OF a Methodist preacher OF I'll
II church in Canada. For 20 years she was
y help to her husband,
G At the conference love feast Sunda
}, morning 1860 testimonials We're giyel
a Bishop Warren delivered the sermon at II
II regular service. Rev. A. j. Hough WI
r. the preacher Of the evening. His te,