Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-04-17
Of the Annual Methodist
Conference at Gardner.
Eloquent and Powerful Sermon
by Bishop Fowler, Sunday.
Assignment of Pastors-New PRESIDING
Elder, Lewiston District.

-ie'' April l6.-(SpeclaD.-
Inc saturday morning session of the
Maine Methodist Conference was
opened in the Highland avenue church
by the usual devotional exercises which
lasted half hour and in which sever
al OF the ministers participated. with
Rev. q. r. Palmer presiding. At 9
O'Clock the regular conference session
was resumed with reading of the
reading of the minutes of previous
meeting by the secretary. Rev. W. F.
Berry. Rev. Henry T.. Dunnack of Au-
susta. presented Il report in which il
was suggested that the taxation of
ministers salaries be made on the ba-
sis of one-half of l per cent of those
VINO receive less than $500 a year an
nually. and for those whose salaries
exceed this amount, | per cent. annu-
aIly. Rev. Fl. Hewitt addressed the con-
ference to some length and questioned
the feasibility OF such division, claim
ing il to be unequal. On the question
beng put. the report was accepted
Rev. G.. r. Palmer presented a re-
port ON the continuance of interdenOm-
national relations. and this. too. evoked
considera BILE discussion. several of those
present believing that certain "allied
interests of the denominations would
prove to be harmful to the Methodist
Episcopal church. Rishp Fowler ex-
pressed the opinion that the church is
capa bic of cOnduC ting its own work i'm
ii, own way. and on y motion he later
appointed Il special committee to whom
Rev. Mr. Palmer's report was referred.
Bishop Fowler then introduced Hon.
Waldo Pettergill. chairman of the
:'turgls commission. and head of the
officers appointed by Gov. Cobb for the
enforcement of the prohibtory law.
Mr.. Pettengill spoke very briefly, stat
Ing that the laity should keep silent in
Il ministers conference that they might
have all the time for their own work.
He said that Gov. Cobb. with the aid
of the entire State of Maine, would en-
force every law on the statute books.
and Bishop Fowler. i'm return assured
him Of the moral and material support
of the ministers of the Methodist
church.
rev. Dr. Magruder of Portland, Of
fered motion giving the seat of the
Maine conference for 1906 at the Chest
nut street church. Portland. and the
motion was unanimously adopted amid
applause.
TIE greater portion of the morning
session was occupied by the reports OF
the cIlstrmpn of the various committees.
Rev j. \. Roberts reported as treas
urer of the Missionary Society; Rev.
D. G.. Abbott Reported on 'Methodis
LITERATURE and the financial state
nlent showed a considerable gain over
last year. Rev. H. \. King, ad ling an
amendment to this report: i'eV. r. ii.
Leitch Of Old Orchard, read IL report
of the Epworth League: the report OF
the conference secretary OF the Young
Peopla's work in the WomenS Home
Missionary Society was received; ReV.
D. F. Holt of Bath read the report
of the stewards; Rev. w. p. Merrill
gave the report of the Freedman's Aid
and Southern Educational Society. and
other routine business was transacted.
G.. s. Leard and John Alexander
Eetcncr were elected to elders orders.
]. Fl. r. Richards to deacon's orders,
ana George c. Howard. Claude II.
Priddy. Anthony f. Roberts and
| Charles +. Skillings were advanced IN
| study to second year. and Arthur h.
| Cailagan. because of i'll health, was
| permitted to remain in the study Of
tie first year.
Those introduced to the conference
| at the morning session We're Rev. r. L.
| Hayward and Rev. G. f. Dow OF the
East Maine Methodist conference. ana
Eev. DR. Iliff of Philadelphia. The fol-
| lowing appointments were made III
| committee reports: Visitors to Yves
| leyan University. Rev. Il. y. Josceiyh
| of Gardiner. and J. w Church of Hal
| lowell: to Maine Wesleyan Seminary.
| Rev. DIR. J. W. Magruder and Rev. n.
| 4. Clifford; to Boston School OF Theoio-
Nv. Rev. G. r. Palmer and Rev. w. f.
| Holmes The committee on interde-
| nominational relations made nominal
| lions for delegates as follows: To the
Maine Baptist Mission convention.
| Rev. George w. Martin of Rumford'
to the General Conference of the
| Congregational church of Maine. Rev.
F.. A.. Leitch of Old orchard: to the
Maine Free Baptist Association. Kew.
d. r. Holt of Bath, and as members OF
the INSTRUMENTATION Commission
for two years Rev. DR.. J. w. Magruaer