Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-04-23
VERMONT CONFERENCE.
Fifly-Fourth Annual Session at Springfield
Opened Wednesday H. A, Spencer
for St. Johnsbury Dstrlct-Ministers 10
Leave-Olher Business.


for St. Johnsbury Observation-Disclosures ta
Leave-Olher Business.
1t is quite % years since Springfield has
enjoyed the honor of welcoming the Yer
mont conference. Rev. H. A. Spencer
has been quite busy Tor several weeks ID
making the necessary preparations ano
many homes have been made ready to
entertain one or more guests, and even
Springfield has enjoyed making the town as
attractive as possible, taking real pride IN
having the street cleaning finished early in
the week. Thus privately end publicly
has our village in the valley signifed inter-
est and pleasure in the 54th annual session
of the Vermont conference of the Methc-
dist Episcopal church with Bishop John II.
Vincent presiding.
The Vermont conference has about 125
ministers and $50 churches and does not
include the whole state, Bennington and
Rutland counties being included in the
Troy conference. The work of the churches
included in the state conference has been
attended with prosperity, large revivals
adding many to the membership. while III
spite OF the apparent depression in business
the benevolences have maintained the stan
dard of former years and church building,
likewise repairs, have been considerable,
and the work accomplished by the Ep-
worth Leagues has been most commend.
atory.
The announcement of the appointments
will be reserved until Monday, though it is
anticipated the changes of pastors will be
few.
The presiding elders of the St. Johns
bury and Montpelier districts, having
served their full term of six years, will re-
tire and resume pastoral duties unless
named for other districts. Many OF the
pastors and prominent laymen, as well as
not few quarterly conferences have mani
tested an earnest desire that Rev. H. A.
Spencer of Springfield shall be appointed
presiding elder of the St. Johnsbury
district.
Tuesday, April 10, at P. NJ, there
was an unusual number Of candidates ex-
amined for the ministry. The first address
of the conference occurred Tuesday even
ing when good-sized audience listened
with rapt attention to Rev. E. A. Schel,
D. D., of Chicago, who delivered as inter-
esting discourse as itseldom is the pleah
ure Of Springfield gathering to enjoy.
Tuesday at midnight special electric
met Bishop Vincent, the president of the
conference, at Charlestown and conveyed
him to Springfield. Bishop John H. Vim
cent is most widely known as founder Of
the famous Chautauqua University and as
one Of the leading divires Of this country.
Twice has he been elected as preacher at
Harvard University. Wednesday morning
at the conference opened with Holy Com
munlon under the direction Of Bishop Vim
cent, followed by organization for business.
An excellent missionary sermon was de-
livered at 2 P NJ. by Rev. w. E. Douglass
of Barton, followed by charming address
by Miss Mary E. Lunn, superintendent of
New England deaconess's home, training
school and hospital, giving a graphic &C
count Of the society, its various depart
ments and methods OF reaching and saving
the sick and the sinful IN the large cities Of
our broad land.
Rev. George X. Morris, S. T. D., pro-
fessor Of practical theology of Boston Uni
versity, when nearing Springfield was re-
called by telegraph announcing the ne
cessity Of his immediate return home, and
the lectures to be delivered each day at 4
p M. by Rev. Mr.. Morris have been can
celled and other speakers have generously
contributed their services. The conference
has been most fortunate in securing excel
lent talent for the meetings, which are in
deed an education, deepening and broaden
ing thought, expanding 1t into a higher
spiritual life. The attendance at each and
all the gatherings has been good.
Each morning at $50 the devotional
hour has been in charge Of Bishop Vincent
who conducted study of Paul's letters to
Timothy and large and delighted audi
ence have gladly availed themselves of the
opportunity to enjoy the spiritual break
fast provided by the bishop. Yesterday
afternoon Miss Ruth Sites Of China deliv.
cred an interesting address. Miss Sites
was mobbed and had an arm broken at the
time Of the vegetarian mob in China. !,
Among other business during the weeks
committee has been appointed to consider
the dividing of the state into four district:
instead of the three as it is now arranged
The Sunday services will be as follows
Methodist church at 9 A. NJ, conference
Lovefeast, led by Rev. j. A. Sherburn o
Barre; 1870 A. NJ, ordinations followed BY
sermon by Bishop Vincent; P Ju
nior league service. conducted by Rev. G
O. Judkins OF Windsor; 7.30 P. NJ, sermon