Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-04-23
CONFERENCE BUSINESS.

Berlin, N. H., April 22.-The consid.
GRAFTON of routine business and the dis.
posal of questions which had ariser
among the different churches of the
conference during the year, occupied
the forenoon session today of the Maine
Methodist conference, which is in con
ventiOn here this week. The confer
ence embraces the churches of western
Maine and those in Gorham and Berlin
N. II.
The report of the special committee
appointed at last years conference to
consider the ACCESSIBILITY of reducing
the number of districts from three to
two was presented by d. B. Holt of
Bath at this mornings session. The
report favored the districts and recon-
mended that they first have Portland
for it's center, including all appoint
ments now in Portland district and
those along the northern division of the
| Maine Central, and on the Grand Trunk
| above Mechanic Falls, taking Long Is
land. Falmouth, Cumberland, West
| Cumberland and Gray. The second dis
trict with Lewiston for center. might
| we'll be called the Lewiston district
taking Chebeague, Harpswell and Orrs
| island, Yarmouth and all places on the
Rumford Falls Road from Lewiston
| out and all the north country. The
| proposed Portland district has "a APP
pointments, 81 pastoral charges with
J total pastoral expenses of $39,435. In
the proposed Lewiston district there
would be 56 appointments, 40 pastor
| ates, AZ Of them active, the salaries
amounting to $37,327. The committee
thought the salaries for the district
| superintendentS should be about $1,000
| a year.
The reading of the report was fol-
| lowed by applause and on motion of
Rev. George r. Palmer it was adopt
| ed, very few voting against it. 1t had
! been expected that there would be a
warm discussion Of the matter and the
manner in which it was settled was
great surprise to many of the preach-
ers Rev. DR.. McCrae, who spoke In
| the interests of the Board of Education,
wondered how the conference came to
an agreement concerning re-distrlctlnG
so quickly. He thought they would de-
| bate it for week. I'VE have been de-
batting it for several years. said Rev.
Charles +. Parsons. II see what is COM
ing in New Jersey" remarked DR.. Nc
| Crae, land I'll prepare for it
Rev. G.. D. Holmes. district superln-
| tendent of the Augusta district, pre-
| scented his report, saying that there
were 35 charges with 33 preachers. Inc
| Sunday school work had been formed.
| kent's Hill Seminary during the year
has been prosperous, the average at
| tendance being 1872. The total number
| of students registered was 232.
Rev. Dr. Vaughan. representing the
| African diamond jubilee fund. made a
brief but interesting address.
| Rev. 3. c. Wentworth presented res
olutions endorsing the diamond jubi-
loo which is to celebrate the 18th an
niyersary of the sending of Melvin P.
| cox as a missionary to Africa, and
| they were unanimously adopted.
| The report of the Central district
was presented by the superintendent,
| Rev Charles f. Parsons. who has re-
ceived an appointment to Amesbury,
| Mass Mr. Parsons reported that tour
of nine churches carrying debts had
| cleared them up. He paid hlgh trlp-
| ute to the work done by the ladies on
| various charges, saying that almost
| ANYTHING that seemed impossible was
| done by them. 1t Was announced that
Id. C. Albeit had been transferred to
| the Troy conference
| Much interest was manifested in the
report of the Portland district. by Rev
lB. G.. Wentworth. who retircs as dis-
| trict Superintendent this year. He sale
| that he came to the conference IA years
| ago and served two pastorates prior
| to becoming superintendent. During
| the past wear he had assisted at re
| yival meetings in y churches, The
| death rate of the district had been fal
| beyond ANYTHING ever known and brlel
| tributes were paid to the deceased
| The Washington Avenue church was
| dedicated last winter and repairs were
| made at i<ennebunkport, Kittery ant
| other placcS. There was spirit OF re-
| vival in the atmosphere. Mr.. Went
| worth alluded to the temperance Ques
| ton, saying that though saloon powe
was broken and it's destruction wa
| written in letters of fire. He also SAT-
a few plain words regarding the sup
| mort of the district superintendent.
| Mr.. Wentworth said that $1,000 hat
] haen spcnt in the district to liQuidat
Idebts, $4,000 had been used in building
| and making Improvements. and tn
lesacies and gifts had amounted t
s27, 900. The Chestnut Street church o
| Portland had raised an endowmen
fund OF $4,000 and a dcaconess hom
had been procured that was worth a
| least $4,000 There is a debt of onl.
$4,000 On this building. There wal
| great applause when Mr.. Wentworth
concluded and as soon as he had re
| sunlcd his seat, Rev. Wilmot P. Lord
| pastor of the Peoples church of Soutl
| Portland, asked for the privilege o
| saving a few words. Taking a position
| directly in front of the retiring distric
superintendent he paid him high com
| pliment and tEen on behalf of the pas