The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-03
Work Of the MethOdiStS at
Fall River.
Presiding Elders of Several
Districts Report.
Bishop Fosters Compliment---The
Constitutional Changes.
The PROVIDENCE NEWS BUREAU,
NEw ENGLAND SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Fall River. Mass, April 2, Iss,.

The secretary, 3. o. Benton, read the
journal OF yesterday, and the conference
was open for the second days proceed
ings. Memorials on various topics were
referred to committees for further consid-
Grafton.
The absentees of yesterday were here
given an opportunity to answer to the roll
call.
The secretary read the report of the
trustees OF the East Greenwich, r. l.,
Academy. 1t was referred to the commit
tee on edcuation.
Robert Treat and J. II. Carpenter were
added TO the board of trustees of this
academy.
The following were made committee
on conference relations: Revs. Davis,
Taber, Bartholomew, Grant, Allen, Poyey,
stennouse, Hunt and Pierce.
BY vote OF the conference all the names
OF superannuated and supernumerary
preacbers, probationers and any persons
applying for entry into the conference.
Rev. q. II. Bates, presiding elder of
Norwich district, reported his work.
General prosperity has marked that
WORT Many In the families OF the minis
ters have been seriously i'll and some have
died, among them Rev. j. Pepper, sup
ply at one place while student at Middle
town University. Several Leading lay
men have joined the redeemed host In
heaven. The churches which have i'm
proved their property are numerous, the
money thus raised counting many thou
sands Of dollars. A new parsonage Is fin-
ished at East Blackstone. Some gifts and
beqnests nave been given to aid churches
and benevolences. Hazardvllle is now the
banner charge, having raised Sl100 for
missions. The consolidated church In
Norwich, three uniting In one, has been
q marked success. The Epworth League
is a grand agency In orr work in the dis
trict. We expect to be a power In Con-
necticut.
Rev. s. O. Benton gave his report.
Sixty-six preachers have been at work on
the Providence district. Rev. II. Buck
ley's wife has died during the year at
Centerville, X. l. Rev. j. B. Hustled
who died, In the 92nd year of his life,
was always In his place among MS and we
miss him all the more. Pontiac, q
Swedish Church, has succeeded in erect
ing a chapel at cost of some $2500.N
Stoughtop has new parsonage. Two
new churches will soon be completed in
Providence, one the Mathews son street,
and the other at Edgewood. some
churches. have spent money well in i'm
snGins oesss IN psy ss
given to the Thames Street Church $240O,
and some other smaller legacies have been
received. East year showed a gain in be-
nevolences but local causes this year may
lessen that gain. Our work among
the Swedes is at Camppello,
Pontiac, Newport, Providence
Our French Mission has been given up.
The Providence Evangelization Union,
organized last spring is In fine operation.
A Deaconess home at last is opened on
Cortland street, Providence, under the
la5ors Of Mr.. II. r. Fifield. Epworth
Leagues have increased by some 1000 new
members in the district. Annual camp
meeting was held at Cottage City and was
etectual for good. Revivals have occur
red at several places and considerable
conversions.
Bishop Foster gave the presiding cl-
ders compliment by saying he scarcely
ever heard more correct reports.
The order of the day at 10 a. m. was
taken up, action on General Conference
questions in regard TO constitutional
changes.
First proposition was In respect to
making women eligible to election to
General Conference. BY almost a unani-
nous vote this proposition was laid on
the table and this was substantially re-
lection of the proposition. The seven
who voted against laying 1t on the table
are not, In fact, the only members OF the
Conference In favor of women In the Gen.
eral Conference. But the rest think this
what Is called the Hamilton Amend
ment"-is an effort.to get women In the
General Conference by the back door.
They think It best TO walt till they can
come in by the front door. Much of a
merry time occurred by few OF the men