Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-04-20
Close Of the Conference.
Appointments in the 81. JOhnsbury Dis
trict--BishOp MerrilI's Remarks About
President McHInIey's Habits.


kins. At Q O'Clock the regular business
of the conference began with Bishop Mer-
rill in the chair. The class of the second
year was called, passed as to character,
reported their charges, and were promoted
TO the third year studies. Six were ad-
mitted into full connection with the con-
ference. Following the bishops address
Rev. W. l. Haven, D. D., secretary OF the
American Bible society, spoke, telling OF
the work of the society and its needs.
While the conference was in session at
the Methodist church the laymen's confer
ence was held through the forenoon at the
Baptist church. The meeting was called
to order by Hon. 4. NJ. Mansur of New
port and the conference organized by
electing Hon. Frank Plumley of North
field president and w. A, Dutton of Hard
wick secretary. A temperance resolution
was introduced, and after considerable dis
cussion passed, in an amended form. This
was to the effect "that any backward step
from the position taken of the general
conference of 1892 against the liquor traf-
fic will be dishonor to the Methodist
Episcopal church in the sight of God, and
all who truly love their fellow men," The
delegates elected to the general confer
ence, DR.. L. W. Hanson and Hon. ). X.
Fletcher, were instructed Ito resist to the
utmost any lowering of the standard here
tofore assumed by the Methodist Episcopal
church against the liquor traffic" At
o'clock the conference reassembled and the
newly elected lay delegates to the general
conference were introduced.
At 8 o'clock the temperance anniver-
sary was held with an address by Hon.
Frank Plumley. He said the temperance
c,,aotior u,,,ot ba ooneidarad in fO11r Vrip.
cipal ways, our duty to ourselves, to our
neighbor, TO our country and to our God.
Rev. G. W. Morrow of Burlington, presi-
dent of the State Anti.Saloon league, fol-
lowed, giving statistics of the enormity Of
the liquor traffic and outlined the work of
the league.
In the evening the anniversary of the
Epworth league was held in the opera
house. The principal address of the even
ing was given by Rev. Wilbur p. Thirk-
ield, D. D., of Chicago. This is Dr.
Thirkeld's first visit to to the eastern con-
ferences, and his address was listened to
with large degree of interest. His sub
ject was 1.-The building of an Epworth
Lacquer" He said "the ideal Lacquer is
the ideal man, the building of league is,
therefore, the building of a man, renewed,
virile, high-souled, radient with the light
of God"
DR.. Haven spoke briefly in the interests
of the American Bible society. DR., Par
ker of Moradabad, India, president of the
India Epworth league, spoke for few mo-
ments upon the Epworth league work in
India.
Saturday morning the devotional service
at s, was in charge of Drs. Wright and +.
W. Parker of India. At the business ses-
sion which followed Rev. W. S. Smithers
of st. Adams and Rev. Lie Sherburne of
Enosburg Falls were elected delegates to
general conference with Rev. G. Nutter of
st. Adams and Rev. w. R. Davenport of
Ludlow as alternates. DIR. Parker spoke
briefly, saying he was glad to be back for a
visit to his old conference, and spoke of
his love for it, and for the hills of Yer
mont. He has been in India since 1S49,
and will go back in October. He said 81
love India not that l love you less, but
l love India more"
George Whitaker of Boston, publisher
Of Zion's Herald, which is the official pa
per of the New England conferences,
spoke of the prosperity of the paper. He
said the profit of the paper for the year
was $500, to be divided among the six
patronizing conferences, and presented to
the conference a check for SAG as its
share. Rev G. W. Morrow of Burlington,
Rev. c. R. B. Dodge and Rev. j. Il. Reid
of Bellows Falls, brought the greetings of
the Christian Baptist and Congregational
churches of Vermont. Rev. W. f. Lang
of Athens was one Of the pastors elected
10 local deacon's orders.
Rev. j. o. Sherburne, presiding elder of
St. Johnsbury district, presented the re-
port for the Vermont Methodist seminary,
for the executive committee. The report
showed prosperous year for the school.
Ex-Gov. VIM. P. Dillingham; spoke in be-
half of the seminary, in which he is deeply
interested.
In the afternoon at O'Clock the an
niversary of the Woman's Home Mission
airy society was held, Mrs. A. H. Webb of
Bradford, president, presiding Mrs. May
Leonard of Dover, Y. j., gave an address,
telling what the society has already ac-
complished and what it hopes TO do in the
future. At o clockIan ad journed business
meeting was held, when an excited debate
was had upon the report of the temperance
committee, At7:30 reception was given
in the church TO the bishop and members
OF the conference.
Sunday morning the love feast was held
in the Methodist church at 8 O'Clock. Al
ter this the bishop gave short address up
on the ordination service, and explained
the meaning of the terms deacon and elder
as used in the Methodist church. At the
close of his remarks the candidates for or
dination were called forward and the epis-
tie for this service read by Rev. j. o.
Sherburne.
Sunday afternoon at 2:30 Bishop Mer-
rill preached in the opera house, which was
we'll filled. The anniversary of the mis-
sionary society was held in the evening at
the opera house with an address by Rev.
A. j. Palmer, D. D., of New York, secre-
tary of the society. DIR. Palmer is a very
interesting speaker, said to be one of the
most eloquent speakers in the Methodist
church. His address was listened to by
large and well pleased audience. Monday
morning short business session was held
and the appointments read.
The report of the committee on statis-
tics showed the following for Vermont:
Practitioners, 1867; in full membership.
1882; deaths, POS; children baptized,
147 adults baptized, 403; number of Sun
day schools, 176; Sunday school teachers
and officers, 1898; pupils, 1921; num-
Der OF churches, 14S, valued at $3.50, 500;
number OF parsonages, 102, valued at SAL
When the committee on temperance
resolutions, of which the Rev. P. ~
Granger, of lrasburgh, was chairman, re-
ported, the Rev. A. G. Austin, of ALBANY.
criticized the resolution as lacking In
force, characterizing it as puerile and weak
aNnTQQeinn ArtI -