Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1904-09-30
NJ. t. ''s;::lC0NffRfN
Tenth Sessionat TO DO Held
at 0rtonvilIe Next
" Week. ..@..H>

over by Bishop John W. Hamilton.
D. d., L.: D.. Of, San Francisco.
says the Minneapolis Journal. This
conference is one of the largest reli:
gious conventions that meets IN the
state. 1t IL composed of about 49,
ministers, representing 1870 different
Methodist churches, in which there
are nearly 1000 members, and as
many Sunday school scholars.
Originally, the whole state was in.
cluded in one conference. known az
the Minnesota conference, but ten
years ago the work had reached such
proportions that division of territory
was thought advisable. and all that
part Of Minnesota lying north of an
air line directly west from q point be-
tween MINNEAPOLIS and St. Paul. to
the western boundary. was set apart
as the territory of the Northern
Minnesota annual conference.
The officers of the conference for
the current year are: President. Rev.
Bishop John W. Hamilton, D. D ,
IL. D; secretaries, Rev. c. F.
Sharpe, Minneapolis; Rev. Robert
Taylor. Eveleth; Rev. Frederick W.
Hart Minneapolis. Treasurer, Rev.
Henry Nobbs, Annandale; chairman
Of board of examiners, Rev. g.. 3.
1nnis, Ph D., Hamline. registrar,
Rev. j. 81. Cudlipp, Minneapolis.
The conference is divided into four
districts, namely: the Minneapolis
district. Rev. William Fielder, D.
D., presiding elder; the Crooksron
district Rev. LsFay cite Dodds, d.
D., presiding elder, the Duluth dis
trict. Rev. Ezra G. Clemans. D. D.,
presiding elder.
This conference Is not Legislative
body in the strict sense Of the term.
The legislation for the church in gen.
eral is passed at the general confer
ence, which meets once in four
years. and which is representative
body of both laymen and ministers Of
the Methodist Episcopal church from
all over the world. The business of
the annual conference is to receive
reports from the different districts and
churches within its boundaries, dis
cuss matters of interest to the work of
these churches, lay plans for the
greater efficiency Of It's members and
tho successful prosecution Of the work
Of the churches. -.
At these annual sessions, the minis
ters also receive from the presiding
bishop, their appointment for the en-
suing year. A great deal of interest
therefore always centers around the
reading of the list of appointments by
the bishop, which is always the last
item ef business before adjournment.
The cabinets, where these appoint
ments are made is com posed of the
presiding bishop and the presiding
elders of the various districts. The
bisnop presides over all it's sessions,
which are held each afternoon. The
presiding elders acts as an advisory
board. but the bishop makes the ap
pointments.
Formerly, minister of the Method
ist Episcopal church might not be re-
appointed to the same charge after
five successive years had passed, but a
little over four years ago this law was
changed and provision was made
whereby each preacher received his
appointment from the bishop each
year, and from year to year, thus re-
moving what was known as "the time
limit" and now, under certain condi-
lions, a pastor may be returned to his
charge from year to year-indefnitely.
: Ortonville the seat of the conference,
is beautiful little city Of about
twenty-five hundred people situated on
the eastern shore Of Big Stone lake,
1866 miles west of Minneapolis, on the
Chicago, Milwaukee and st. Paul
railroad. It Is city Of beautiful
homes, good churches and good schoo]s
and it's citizens are noted for their
progressive spirit. Situated as it is
on the shores of picturesque lake,
it has become popular as q summer
ZONE for many from all parts Of tho
state. Its SIMMER Chautaugua and
normal training school is always we'll
attended.
Rev. g. r. Geer is pastor 0. the
Methodist Episcopal church, which is
undertaking the entertainment Of the
conference. Rev. Mr.. Geer has had q
successful pastorate there for the past
three years and has been invited to
return again next. year. During his
passionate several thousand dollars have
been expended to improve the church
property and IA every way bring i
up to the modern standard Of eff
cience. The four other churches Of the
town will asisst. il tie ;entertainmsnt
of the ministerial visitors and a very