The Portland daily press., 1895-05-04
A BUSY DAY.
Methodists Discuss Reducing the
Number of Elders.
REPORTS OF WHAT HAS BEEN
DONE IN THE DISTRICTS.

annuated List-Many Delegates Are In
Attendance.
Saco, May 3.-An interesting business
session of the Maine M. E. Conference
was held Friday forenoon. The session
was preceded by devotional exercises
led by Rev. T. P. Adams of Boston. Sew
eral visiting delegates from other con-
ferences were introduced. Rev MT.
Whitaker of the New England conference
made brief address.
The secretary read the report OF the
committee appointed at the last confer
enee to consider the question OF redis-
trictipg the conference SO as to reduce
the number of presiding elders from
three to two. The report showed that
of the church boards voting on the
matter, 43 favored and 40 opposed the
change.
The discussion over the change was
one of the liveliest features Of the con
vention. One of the brethren suggested
giving it a special assignment for Sat
urday, but Bishop Bow man thought that
an unwise move, as Saturdays pro-
gramme is replete with business matters.
Rev. M. G. Pendexter OF Bath moved an
acceptance of the committees report,
and followed it with this resolution:
"In the interest of economy and effic-
iency it is hereby resolved that this
conference be Iediyided into two dis
tricts."
Rev W. S. Jones of Pleasantdale spoke
against the resolution. He said he was
primo mover IN just such movement
years ago, and be had regretted it. He
believed that TO superintend the work
of the $50 churches in the district is too
much for two men; he believed the pas
sage OF the resolution would be in the
line OF neither economy nor efficiency.
Rev. H. e. Frohock of Biddeford,
brought his eloquence to bear in ia vor
of the proposed change, Hand said he
represented the desire of the official
| board OF his parish.
Rev. Hosea Hewitt of Woodfords and
| Father Randall of Portland believe the
question in hand was not one for the
clergy to settle; it should be left to the
| bishops and to the laity whose contri-
buttons pay the gsalaries of the presiding
elders.
Rev G. S. Cummings of Augusta
moved to substitute motion referring
| the matter to the presiding bishop. A
hand vote showed the adoption of the
substitute, the Bath minister who made
the original motion being the only one
to vote in the negative.
Bishop Bowman said he would look
thoroughly into the merits of the ques-
tion before he rendered his decision.
The bishop suggested thnt it might
1, Ill lAfar Al
matter till next session, when the lay
men will be present and tvote upon it..
He added that movements for such
changes are sometimes favored by the
brethren who have failed in their at
tempts to get appointed as presiding
elders.
Rev. DR.. J: M.Buckley, editor of the
in behalf of that publication.
Rev. DR.. ST.. Baldwin of New York,
missionary secretary, addressed the con-
| ference. lie said the receipts from the
conferences here showed but slight
shrinkage in spite of the times of busi-
ness depression. The April receipts ex-
ceeded s300,000.
REPORTS OF PRESIDING ELDERS.
Rev. John B. Lapham. presiding elder
of the Augusta district, reported 33
stations in that district. All have been
supplied with pastors. During the year
5000 were admitted on probation, ITO in
full; 600 conversions were reported dur
ing the year. A roll call of the various
churches of that district followed, brief
reports being made by the pastors.
For the Lewiston district, Rev. j. A.
Corey, the presiding elder, reportd 40
charges. He has preached 1875 sermons
during the year. Reference was made
to the rebuilding and extensive repairs
of the several church buildings in that
district. Rev. CIR. Palmer, presiding
36 charges, all with pastors except one.
which suspended services during the
winter, SO elders and 6 - deacons in
charge. Three Portland churches have
received $50 memb bers on probation and
40 mem bership in full during the year,
Work throughout the district hes been
harmonious. large percentage of the
| their present parishes.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON
the anniversary of the Woman's Home
Missionary Society was held, Mrs. Harri-
ct Hughes, presiding, and an address be-
ing given by Mrs. Kennard Chandler of
New York city. This was followed By
an evangelistic service.
| The ltinerant Institute elected these
officers at its annual meeting: Presi-
dent, Rev. =. 0. Thayer, ]; vice President,
Rev. M. 9. Pendexter; treasurer, Rev. j.
Fl. Roberts; secretary, Rev. D. b. Holt.
The Following were transferred from
the active to the superannuated list:
Rev. Hezekiah Choat, Fairfield; Geo. W,
Barber. Naples; Henry Crockett, Rum
| ford Centre.
Friday evening was devoted to the
| Freednien's Aid and South Educational
Society, with an address by Rev..J &,
| Hartzel, D., of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Telephone Exhibition.