Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1901-04-22
VERMONT CONFERENCE.

The fifty seventh session of the
Vermont Methodist Conference open
ed at Lyndonville on Wednesday
morning, April 18th, under the most
favorable auspices. The devotional
exercises were led by. A. L. Cooper
and were of spiritual helpfulness and
power. The regular session was
opened at a. M, Bishop Earl Grams
ton, d. D., IL. D., of Portland, Ore,
presiding. The Bishop read the 21st
chapter of st. John, after which he
called to the altar Revs. j. 0. Sher-
burne, W. R. Davenport and G. S.
Nutter, presiding elders of the three
Vermont districts. These brethren,
with the assistance of some of the
venerable men of the conference pro-
ceeded to administer the sacrament
of the Lords Supper to one hundred
and twenty four persons including
ministers and laymen. The secretary
of the last session called the confer
ence roll and sixty nine members and
ten probationers responded. After
the roll call the conference was or
ganized with the following officers:
Secretary, F. w. Lewis; statistical
secretary, I. S. Yerks; treasurer, L.
o. Sherburne; railroad secretary, w.
n. Roberts. The standing commit
tees which were nominated last year
were approved and some correc tions
made where there were vacancies.
After the organization Rev. Charles
Parkhurst, formerly of Vermont Con-
ference and at present editor of Zio1's
Herald, represented his paper. Broth
er Parkhurst is native of Vermont
and spoke in complimentary terms of
the people of this grand state. He
mentioned their love of liberty and
patriotism, their sturdy independence,
and reminded the conference that the
first legislature of the state declared
that it was independent Of everything
except the mercies of God. He stated
that ZiOn's Herald is the only religious
paper in New England that is self
supporting. He urged the brethren
to increase the subscription list, stat
ing the well known fact that all the
profits Of that paper are distributed
to the patronizing conferences, for
the support of the conference claim
ants.
DIR. Wilber L. Davidson of Washing
ton represented the American Univer-
sity of Washington, D. @. He enthused
his audience with his subject, and
showed the necessity of great
Protestant university at the capital of
our nation. He referred to the fact
that President Mckinley and Vice
President Roosevelt were among the
active trustees of this institution.
Already over two million dollars have
been secured and the entire cost of
the university and endowment when
completed will amount to ten million
dollars. He emphasized the fact that
greater advantages for postgraduates
could be had at Washington than in
any city in the world, as the congress
sional library, valued at twelve million |
dollars, will be accessible to the stu
dents of that institution. After his |
inspiring address Rev. T. Corwin |
Watkins, secretary Of the New Eng !
land Deaconess Home and Training
School at Boston, gave a short address
presenting the work and the needs of |
the deaconesses.
On Wednesday afternoon Rev. r. j.
Chrystie preached the conference SER
mon from Isa. 50: II. 1t was a strong, |
eloquent sermon with much thought |
and delivered in an impressive man
ner. Later in the day the deaconess
service was held, which was one long
to be remembered by those who had /
the pleasure of attending. Miss Millie .
NJ. Martin of White River Junction .
was consecrated deaconess bv
Bishop Cranston. This is the first F..
time this impressive ceremony was
performed in the Vermont conference.
Rev. r. F. Lowe presided and Rev. T. |
@. Watkins, D. D., of Boston made /
some remarks, but most of the +
speaking was by the deaconesses /
themselves. Mrs. Elizabeth Wiles, I
of the training school, I
addressed the confere nee in very