The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-08-30
THE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

The Des Moines Annual Conference
of the NJ. E. Church will begin its
Forty Seventh session Wednesday,
Sept. 18th. in Wesley Church. Des
Moines. The session will be presided
over by Bishop Earl Cranston, of
Washington, D. C. whose presidency of
the Conference for the first time will
be heartily welcomed. Rev. c. L. Nye
is the entertaining pastor.
The Des Moines Conference repre-
sents about one fourth of the territory
of the State. and is divided into six
districts. Its Roll Call this year will
receive response from just three hum
bred ministers, as follows Pastors,
2l6: Professors, Missionaries. and
Evangelists, IL; Supernumerary
Preachers. Is; Superannuated Preach
ers 81: Presiding Elders. 6. 1t in
cludes 459 churches; property valu-
alton of little more than $1,000, 600.
and membership of 81 900.
The business of an Annual Confer
ence is varied, and every hour for a
week is crowded full the forenoons
being used for Disciplinary business,
while the afternoons and evenings are
given up to anniversaries of the var
ious Benevolent Societies. The
themes discussed cover a wide range,
such as Missions; Education: Temper
ance; Sabbath Observance: State of
Church at large: Social Conditions,
etc.
The Des Moines Conference has be-
come quite a Banking institution.
Last year the Treasurer received and
distributed to the various causes nearly
800, 900. This year the sum will
doubtless be larger.
An important part of the business
is the examination of young men, fol-
entrance into Conference. and in the
Course of Study. Every young mar
must pass rigid examination at the
door of the conference; and then every
year for four years, in course OF
study equivalent to the curriculum OF
Theological Seminary.
The great day of the Conference is
Sunday. Its time honored features
bring Methodists from near and far t.
the seat of the Conference. The day
opens with a Love Feast at nine
O'Clock. This is followed by ordln.
alton of Deacons, and the Bishop
sermon, which is always an event.
In the afternoon the Elders are ordain.
ed by the Bishop. and the Conference
Missionary sermon is preached. This
year this duty falls upon the pastor Of
the Denison church. The evening Of
Sunday is given to mass meeting,
sometimes with several speakers.
The last time of the Conference
business, and one in which is centerec
more interests than any other, is the
reading of the appointments. In the
afternoons during the Conference
week. The Cabinet, consisting o:
the Bishop and the Presiding Elders
have been struggling to adjust two
hundred men to as many places, ant
now the Bishop stands up to read tn
list. Some think they know wher
they are going, but none are absolute
ly certain, and the utmost silenc
prevails. When the last name j
read, and the benediction pronounced
then comes scatter; some going t
places that are old, and some to place
that are new. But every preache
has place; and every place has
preacher.
The church at Denison has had
prosperous year, and will be able
: report progress when the roll is cal
: ed. In benevolence it will stan
! we'll, its contribution this year, il
GLIDING the w. F. M. S. and the "
H. M. S. will approximate $1,000.