The Portland daily press., 1898-04-22

Annual Meeting Conference Epworth
League.
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.l
Norway, April 21.-The third days ses-
sion of the annual conference of Maine
Methodist churches assembled at 8. &c this
morning. The weather threatened rain
and the attendance was not quite SO large
as yesterday. The exercises opened with
devotional services led by Rev. John W.
Lewis of Scarboro,
The roll call showed 81 present. Rev.
D. B. Randall of Portland, the oldest
member of this conference, who was adj
mitted in 1898, has not arrived and his
familiar figure is missed.
The consideration of import ant nonsti-
tutional changes which have been pro-
posed was postponed till Saturday.
Reports were presented from the larger
part Of the $50 churches of the conference.
These reports showed that the collections
for missions, conference claimants and
similar matter, have been promptly made
and are larger than last year.
The thanks of the conference were
extended to Portland Chestnut street
church for their kind treatment of their
sick pastor. DIR. M. G. B. Mason sec
rotary of the Freeman's Aid Socisty, was
introduced to the conference and made an
able address.
DR.. Charles Parkhurst, editor of Zion g
Herald, was presented and made q five
minute speech. The two doctors did not
quite agree concerning the best treat
msnt for the Freemans' Aid Society.
The class of six pastors who have been
on trial one year were examined. F. c..
Norcross averaged " on studies and was
advanced into next class. Charles E.
Jones was discontinued. Charles H.
Young averaged IS, advanced. ,.asF. H..
Billington's case was passed over till
later.
Rev. T. j. Ramsdell, pastor of South
Paris Baptist church was introduced to
statement that no class of men were SO
thoroughly hated by the rumsellers of
Maine as the Methodist, elected applause.
REV. B. S. Rideout, pastor of Norway
Congregational church, was introduced
and spoke briefly.
Presiding Bishop Cranston made hap
py response to the expressions of welcome
from these local pastors of the churches of
other denominations.
The examining board on the fourth
year class of pastors on trial presented
their report and the discussion which en-
sued developed the peculiar situation of
Rev William Cashmere of Gorham
School street church. He came to Gorham
with credentials showing he had passed
all examinations in Montreal conference
and was fit subject for ordination. On
presenting these credentials to this con-
ference last year the presiding bishop de-
cided he should remain on trial one year
before being ordained, and the conference
| passed a vote which the present officers
think means he should be- re.examined.
Mr. Cashmere did not SO understand il
and did not go in with the class Tuesday.
His charge at Gorham is an important
one He is said to have done most eff
Gent work. In conseq uence the matter
OF his ordination at this conference is an
| important one. 95isgsg
| His case was put over to tomorrow
during the interval he will probably be
examined and the affair satisfactorily
| settled.
The annual business meeting of the
conference Epworth League assembled
at 1870 in the afternoon, Rev. A. A.
Lewis OF Gardiner presiding. The reports
of the secretary and treasurer showed
little change during the year. The fol
lowing officers were reelected:
Presidential. A. Lewis.
Vice Presidents-I. A. Bean and W.
B. Dukeshire.
Secretary and Treasurer III, L.
| Nichols.
Executive Committee-Augusta dis.
trict, G. F. Parsons, Il. r. Drummond
| Lewiston district, O. p Baker and
! Harry Manser; Portland district, William
Cashmere and III. T. Strout
The anniversary exercises of the Preach.
ers' Aid Society followed under the
charge of Rev. Israel Luce of South Der.
wick, president of the society.
The addresses werc made by Rev. e. S.
Stackpole of Auburn and Rev. G. E.
Bradlee of Biddeford. The former criti.
cized some of the present methods of the
conference and suggested changes. Rev.
| C. A. Southland of Lewiston, commander
of the Grand Army of Maine made a ring.
ing speech in which he com pared the
superanuated preachers with the United
States pensioners.
At the annual business meeting of the
Preachers Aid Society these officers were
elected: Rev. Israel Luce of South Der.
wick, president; Rev. e. T. Adams oil