Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-04-10
THE BURLINGTON DISTRICT
Presiding Elder Pays Tribute to ver-
mont's Beauties in His Report-Gen-
eral Conference for Saratoga
in 1904.

Saratoga. n. Y, April CIT is highly
probahle that the general conference Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church of tho
United States will hold its quad-ennial
session in Saratoga In 1904. With that end
in view the executive committee of the
above national religious body Is now in
communication with the local manage.
rlcnt.
hen Bishop James N. Fitzgerald Of St.
Louis, Mo, arrived this norning an all
day rein storm had set in. The bishop
and the pre- iding elders constituting his
Trey conference cabin It held an in;roduc-
toiy session this afterm on and exchanged
views on matters that are to come under
their eccleciastical consideration.
Bcginring this morning enc continuing
the better pc, tion of the day the b, ard of
examiners. Consisting of 20 mcrlbers. with
the Rev. c V. Grismcr ms Chairman AMI
the Rev. !. D. Van NalkonburCh as regis
ter, held its annual examination of cardi-
oates for elders and deacons' orders.
Among those from Vermont were: j. K.
Mowris, Pawlei r. T. Edwards, West
Rutland; c. NJ. Sturgcs Hinesburgh; Rob
ert L. Thompson, Brandon and c. w. s.
lecker, East Middlelury
The Troy Conference academy trustees
this afternoon considered plans to present
to the conference looking to the securing
of further subscriptions to the endowment
fund which now amounts to 81, 900 The
Troy Conference Epworth League anniVcr-
sary was held this evening. The Rev. joan
n. Clark of Fort Edward presided. Adj
dresses were made by the Rcvs. DR.. j. $.
Berry of Chicago, j. b. Horton of Salem
and DIR. d. b. Brummett of the Epworth
Herald. Bishop Fitzgerald will formally
open the 10th annual session of the Troy
Conference at . o'clock tomorrow morn
ing. The Rev. Dr. G.. w. Brown, presiding
elder of the Burlington district, will pre-
sent his report tomorrow morning. He
prefaces it with a glorious tribute to tht
district, which he says Embraces terri
tory characterized by great natural beau
ty and variety. Travelling amid its rugged
and picturesque scenery, we have lookoc
upon nature in its summer beauty and its
winter glory and never enjoyed it more.
| DIR. Brown says. There is no othel
thing of which YOU can get 50 much
nothing as advice and no man is likely t.
get more than presiding elder. Perhap'
this Is well, for his is no easy task. thougl
one must experience its difficulties to ap
| rreciate them. He is not caring for
/ solitary post, but for a campaign. Hi
vision must take in a wider sweep thai
any single appointment however import
,nt. He cannot in every case, even Will
the help of bishop. please either TIL
church, the preacher or himself.
In referring to those who have join
the majority. Presiding Elder Brown say
that lin the swifter pace Of these latte
years we may not linger long at the grave
| side of those who leave us. But we shoul'
pause rcverently and speak their name
reverently when they go. BENJAMIN Cox
| one of the veterans of our conference. fel
asleep May s. 1901, at the ripe age of 81
! He had been co years in the ministry an,
over 80 in the active work. He wis a cheer
man, who preserved the healthful optim
| ism of boyhOod and carried the perfum
OF the morning into the late afternoon o
life"
Austin o. Spoor died December 23. 1901
after 20 years in the ministry and over >
in the effective ranks. He was a man o
sterling character, reveront student, al
earnest preacher, a faithful pastor. II
lived his sermons and preached his life.
Two other parsonage homes were entere
by death early in the year. Ralph Jo
Barton, only son of the Rev. II. A. Barton
died June u, 1901 and Stanley Worries
only son of the Rev. Charles Worrick die
July 10, 1901. The circumstances in eac
case were specially aillictve. Each wa
an only son just entering the open gate
of manhood
DR.. Brown in his report adds that re
lvvals have rewarded the labors and glad
dened the hearts of several of our pastor:
land many new recruits have been mus
tered into Christs army in some OF o.,
Rutland, Granville Burlington, Middle
bury. Bristol, Hinesburgh, Salem an
White Creek
The presiding elder further says ther
have been improvements in the churc
property at Cambridge. Brandon. Nel
genncs, Salem, Panton. Addison, Hines
burgh and Middlebury.
THE benevolences have. I think bee
faithfully presented by most of ur pr 'cf
ers. and | trust their reports may sho'
a gratifying advance. There has been a
increase in the pastors salary at Mddl,
bury, Rutland and Salem"
In regard to evango lization DIR. p ow
says that 'in our anxiety over the "
churched masses in our large cities let I
not forget the unchurched masses in h
country. The question Of the continued lii
and success of cur rural churches l.
vital one. They suffer from the removal
> families able and willing to give III m $
[ puort. The population mas decreased IL p
cent. within 10 years. one town in the Blu,
i lington district has decreased 30 per cen
in 40 years"