The Newtown bee., 1906-02-23
Ten Pages.
LOCAL AFFAIRS. A METHODIST PREACHER.

OF HENRY scoFIELD.
 I have had many surprises during my life. Two are deeply impressed upon my memory. One occurred when I first received the assurance of the forgiveness of my sins. The other was when it first dawned upon me that God had a work for me to do in the ministry of the gospel. But, strange as it may seem, l believed that the divine hand was leading, and as look back upon the half century since I joined the Conference 1 feel assured that was indeed divinely called. l regret that I have not been more la- bOriOus and useful in the work. have done nothing of which to boast, and l have to depend upon the mercy of God and the atonement of Christ to cover the many defects of my life and minis try. l wonder at the goodness, for bearance and love of my heavenly Father toward one so unworthy as myself. While have never been as strong and robust as many, have been mercifully preserved for the most of my life in comfortable health, having never been kept from the pulpit but two whole Sundays on account of per sonal illness. belive have the honor o1 Slu& OCOA UuO A0oU AC6 ulo1 OhlSA rider of the Conference. In 1864.5 l travelled the BarkhamSted Cir cult. I had for colleague Brother Lemuel Richardson, who was then a local preacher supplying under the Presiding Elder; now and for many years a member of the Conference. The General Conference having made rule placing supplies under the same limits as to time as members of the Conference, Brother Richardson could no longer continue on the circuit. l was sent back for the third year with out any colleagues, and the circuit was divided. It was the last regular four weeks circuit of the Conference. For some years before and after I joined the Conference the Church was greatly Very exciting debates were held in our Conference on the question of so changing the general rule on slavery as to make slaveholding bar to church membership. Able and good men diff fered, and the discussions sometimes became painful in their intensity. But the Civil War broke down the bar rierS of separation on this subject, while Lincoln's Emancipation PrOcla- nation lessened the importance of the proposed change. In 1865 the Confer ence met in New York, at the Seven teenth Street church, on the fifth of April; and on Monday morning, April 10, immediately following the opening of the Conference, it was announced that General Lee had surrendered the preceding day. A memorable scene followed. The Doxology was sung again and again, while some shouted and others wept for joy. It was not nv fo o fo11oO hr,f o roH fulneSS that the nation was saved. slav- cry destroyed, and the war ended. A motion was made and carried that the Conference proceed to vote at once on the question of the change of the gen. eral rule, inserting the word slave holding," as sent down by the General Conference of the preceding year.
 When the Bishop requested all in fav- or of the change to rise and stand until counted, every member but one immediately stood. On the left of the pulpit sat unmOved Heman Bangs.
 But while the count was proceeding
 Brother G. R. Crooks and others who had been leaders of the conservative side went to him, urging him to make the vote unanimous. And just before sive form of that patriarch of the Con- florence was seen slowly rising from his seat, and standing with the rest, while the applause and enthusiasm of the Conference broke forth anew. Thus ended the memorable contest. Soon after l was Superannuated 1 received a very kind letter from Brother B. M.
 Adams, who was about my age, but who joined Conference seven years be- fore did. In that letter he expressed regret that l was retired to the winter quarters of superannuated relation.
 But l have not found this relation
 winter quarters. l find opportuni
 ty for some Christian work. The brethren of the conference are very kind to me. l am among the scenes of my youthful days, where still finger a few that knew me then. l worship
 with the church of which I was one of the original members. But, better
 than all else, God is with me, and gently leading me down the declivity of this life, and giving me a bright hope of the life beyond.
 To Town Clerk HoulihaD, the editor
 is indebted for copy of the January
 bulletin of the State Board of Health
 The report says among other things:
 By mortality reports received, there
 were 1881 deaths during the month of January. This was 13 more than in of last year, and 45 less than the aver age humber of deaths during January for the five years preceding. January, 1906, 1881; 1905, 1412; 1904. 144O; 1903, 142O; 1902, 1172; 1901, 1439. The death rate was 16 for the large towns, for the small towns, 14.3, and for the