Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-10-02
Conference Well Attended-Meet-
ing Full of Interest and
Enthusiasm.

/ EplscOpal Onurcn convened NJ 0 'oU u.
m. Thursday, in the M. Il. church of
this city, Bishop Cranston presiding
Devotional service was conducted by
DIR. Iliff.. "Come Tnou Fount of Every
blessing was sung and DR.. Dilly of
fered prayer. Owing to the fact that
DIR. Dilly, of San Francisco, repre-
senting the Book Concern, and DR..
Olin, of Chicago, Assistant secretary
of the Missionary Society, could not
remain through the morning session,
the courtesy of the conference was
extended to them, and they were per-
mitted to give representation of
their interests before any other work
of the conference.
The bishop formally opened the con-
ference at 9;45 by announcing the
hymn, 80; For Thousand Tongues, I"
which was sung. after which the
bishop read the 9TH and 9th chapters
of H. Corinthians, The presiding
/ Slutlh Ntlt tlNh NdlItu W tlit NHhu-
eel and assisted in the administration
of the sacrament of the Lord Supper.
The roll was called and large
humber of the members of the con-
ference answered present.
The organization Of the conference
was effected by the election of Rev.
G. A. Lewis, secretary, Rev. L. II,
Peterson, statistical secretary and
Rev. ]. Parsons, treasurer.
L. c. Zimmerman was elected re-
porter to the local papers,
The standing committees were nomi-
mated and elected.
On motion it was decided that the
daily sessions of the conference should
open at 80 "a. m. and close at II 40
the first half hour to be spent in de-
votions.
Quite a number of visiting brothers
from sister churches in the city and
from various parts of the conference
were introduced to the conference by
the bishop.
a matter of interest to the CON
ference and of especial interest to the
superannuated members Of the con-
ference and their wives and preachers
widows, was the statement of the
bishop that the conference was
authorized to draw upon tlp Book
Concern for $29l and upon the
chartered fund for $22. Some of the
members Of the conference who were
suffering on account of sickness and
others who were not present on ac-
count of financial embarrassment were
excused from attendance.
For several years the conference has
had some difficulty in adjusting the
number of districts to suit the views
Of all the people interested. The
number has been changing from three
to four, vibrating from one side to
the other like a pendulum, and the
clock seems to be wound up to run
for years. A resolution was present
ed to reduce the number Of districts
from four to three. This resolution
provoked the old time discussion, and
was participated in by quite a number
Of the ministers. A ballot vote was
taken, expressing the sentiments of
the conference on this question which
resulted in 16 votes for four districts
as at present, and AZ votes for less
number Of districts. The vote taken
is only in the nature Of request to
the bishop to reduce the number Of
districts TO a less number than four.
but what he will do remains to be
seen
Dr. Ford, presiding elder Of the
Eugene district made his report
which indicated very encouraging
condition in that district. The report
was short, covering the grodnd in a
very concise way. Committees were
called, and announcements made,
The hour for adjournment having
arrived the bepediction was pro-
nounced.
Thursday afternoon was devoted to
the work Of committees and the ami.
versary Of the Woman's Home Mis-.
sionary Society. Miss Minnie Frickie
presided at this meeting Mrs. J. D.
Lee, secretary of the conference
society made report in which she
stated that 1868. q had been raised
within the bounds Of the conference
within the last year in provisions,
clothing and cash. Mrs Long, presi-
dent Of the Salem district, also re
ported.
The Chairman made a very interest.
ing and instructive address. She
stated that within the bounds Of the
Oregon Conference sl3O has been
raised for the goth century Thank
Offering fund; that the society has
increased l22 in membership, making
the present membership 1872; that
there have been several auxiliary
societies organized this year.
In this address instruction in spirit
ual things was emphasized a. was also
the training Of the young men and
women in christian service. and the
enlisting Of children IN the service Of
the society; stress was placed upon
the needs Of the church for young
women trained in Bible study and in
the work Of deaconesses
Rev. 7. r. Royal, a pioneer preach.
er Of the Oregon conference, now 81
years old and member Of the Oregon
conference for 80 years, spoke very
entertainingiy Of pioneer experiences
Rev. Royal built the first church in
Oregon south Of Salem. He spoke Of