The Press., 1897-04-22
N. E. southern M. E. Conference.

N. Es Southern M. E. COmforences
 The 57th annual session was held at South Manchester, opening Wednesday, April 14th, with Bishop John P. Newman, D. D., IL. D., in the chair.
 South Manchester, with it's broad lawns, beautiful trees, well kept streets, and 8 general air of neatness and prosperity, made an ideal place for the meeting of this impol tant Methodist body. The peo- pie of the town and vicinity hospitably threw open their homes and made well come all who were called to the seat of the conference.
 Bishop Newman made an excellent pre- siding officer, and the business of the ses- sion was done promptly, and with due re- gard to parliamentary procedure. The morning sessions were taken up with the routine business of the conference, and the afternoons and evenings were given to the reception of the official visitors, who representated the various societies and enterprises of the church.
 Among those present and addressing the conference were: Rev. R. Doherty, of the Epworth League, and the Sunday School Union; Rev. F. D. Blakeslee, principal of East Greenwich academy i; Rev. J. w. Hamilton, of the Freedmen's Aid society; Rev. Homer Eaton, of the Methodist Book Concern; Rev. C.. H.. PaIkhurst, editor of Zion's Herald. A voonp +b., od5rooooo rooc% npioUod xUora those of Prof. c. T. Winchester, of Wes- leyan University, on "The value of a study of literature to a ministers" Rev. C.. H. Mead on Temperance" and w. G.. Puddefoot, eastern field secretary of the Congregational Home Missionary society, on "Home Missions" On Friday, D. m. ., Rev. R. B. Schuh and R. F. Raymond ad- dressed the conference on "The relation of the Church to Social Problems" Both speakers urged the necessity of study Of these problems, and the importance of a right attitude of the church upon them.
 Upon the constitutional question of ad- hitting women to the lay and general conference, the vote was 90 in favor to 60 against.
 Sunday was beautiful day, and large crowd was present at the early conference love feast. At 1O.3O a. m. Cheney Hall was crowded, over thousand people be- ing present to listen to the sermon by Bishop Newman. He preached from the text, "To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." In the after noon the bishop consecrated three young ladies to the work of deaconesses, and two members of the conference were or dained as deacons and three as elders At the evening service Rev. w. T. Smith, missionary secretary, gave the missionary address.
 \ Monday evening, after a hard days work, the appointments were made and the conference adjourned.
 The following appointments have To- cal interest: Stafford Springs, J. I. Bar tholomew South Coventry, C. A. Purdy :; Holland, J. Q. Adams; Staffordville, O. H. Van Natter; Mashapaug and Willing Fton, F. B. Adams; Eastford, supplied by J. Richardson; East Woodstock, supplied by 0. E. Thayer; Gales Ferry, T. B. Ackley; Moodus and Haddam Neck, G. w. Elmer; Putnam, Jacob Betts; Quar- ryville, supplied by o. G. Terry; Rock vile, W. J, Yates; Sterling, supplied by S. ". B. Gross; Uncasville, W. c. New ell; Vernon, D. w. Adams Willimantic, E. C. Horton; Plymouth, E. F. Clark l; .Proyincetown, Centenary, c. E. Harris East Providence and Riverside, 0. E. Da- wis; Providence Tabernacle, w. F. Davis