Arizona republican., 1897-10-09
SECOND DAY OF CONFERENCE
Promotion of Rev. G. F. Bovard and the Appointment of His Successor.

The second day of the sixteenth ses- sion of the annual conference of the Arizona mission opened at the First M. B. church yesterday, Bishop John P. Newman presiding
 At the morning session the devo- tiomal exercises, conducted by the Rev. s. A. Thompson, D. D., were fol- lowed by the reading and approval of the journal of the previous day.
 The roll was then called, to which all members of the conference re- sponded.
 Commendatory remarks were then made by Bishop Newman and retiring Superintendent Bovard on the work of former members of the mission, G. L. Pearson, now of the First M B. church, Honolulu; A. A. Waters, now professor at Hedding college, and Brother G. w. Bates, who died Feb ruary 12. Hearty praise was also ac- corded Rev. c. J. Chase, D. D., who has been transferred to the California conference, and warm commendation given to the new members of the mis- sion, Reys. s. L. Guthrie, Genmess and Bartlett.
 Upon motion of G. F. Bovard, s. L. Guthrie was appointed to report this conference session to the California Christian Advocate, and N. H. Bart lett elected to report for local papers 1 D. Roberts was appointed to repre- sent the book concern.
 At the opening services Thursday evening formal announcement was made by Bishop Newman of the pro- motion of superintendent of missions, 1 the Rev. G. F. Bovard, D. D., to the i presiding eldership of the Los An geles district, and the appointing of
 Rev. S. A. Thomson, D. D., as his sue. 1 cessor.
 Accordingly the character of Dr. Bovard was passed and his report sub- mitted and accepted.
 For seven years Dr. Bovard has been
 superintendent of the Arizona mis-
 sion. In that time, with the exception
 of two months illness, he has never failed in the duties of his position. A
 resume was given by the doctor oi
 each charge in the mission. From a financial and spiritual viewpoint
 every charge is steadily progressing
 Numerically, some have decreased. i Words of praise were spoken to the
 various retiring pastors, while kindly
 admonition and advice were given
 their successors. Dr. Bovard's report
 in full will be found in the minutes o
 the conference.
 On every hand expressions of deep est regret were heard. Not only ha: Dr. Bovard endeared himself to ever! member of his clerical staff in tht
 mission, but the laity throughout tn, territory has ever found in him th' thorough, courteous Christian gentle man in whom was perfectly blended dignity and cordiality, authority ant kindness.
 At the close of Dr. Bovard's repor Bishop Newman, after dwelling upol the power of the retiring superin l intendent's work in the mission, pre-
 scented the Rev. s. A. Thomson, D. D 7 who is to be his successor. D1 t Thomson is peculiarly qualified to fl ] the distinguished position to whic, s he has been called. He is a man c : strong executive ability, impressiv t personality, great breadth of though = and a thorough disciplinarian. Dl q Thomson is a member of the genera e missionary society, which fact alon e makes him especially fitted for hi
 new field.
 After recess of ten minutes, tn
 character of each preacher was e2
 amined and all were found worth l. servants in the Lords vineyard.
 Financial and statistical report
 were then given of the different chars y es by their respective pastors, tc e gether with a sketch of the prOgres t of the church
 y The Rev. Preston Mckinney, D. I l. pastor of the Presbyterian church 9f Phoenix, was then introduced an e greeted the meeting with entertainin J. remarks.
 n Adjournment was then taken to 2:3 1T after which the doxology was sur IT and the benediction pronounced IT Dr. Mckinney.
 !e The afternoon session was an il D. formal conference of the various con IS mittees.
 C. Evening session, programme: Vo le untary, Gloria Patri, choir; invoc
 ton, Dr. Chase; singing, 197th hym 1- scriptural reading, c. K. Jennes