Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-08


commission, composed of the five dis
triet superintendent, held in Water
Vile, Tuesday, the committee of two
from the two State conferences, who
were appointed for the purpose of re-
porting ON the advisability of uniting
the conferences, did not decide upon a
report. The matter was laid upon the
table, and will remain there until the
conferences meet, the Maine confer
ence in Lewiston, March 81, and the
Eastern Maine in Rockland. April >.
The conferences will, doubtless, decide.
The committee. which was appoint
ed at the last State conferences held
at Bi1deforG and Old Town, consists
of Rev. ]. NJ Frost of Watervile and
Rev. j. w. Hatch of Bangor district
superintendent.
The minutes of the conference APP
pointing them follows: E.
TT was voted to appoint commit
tee oc two to represent each confer
ence to consider the advisa bility of the
organic union of Maine Methodism and
that the committee also consider and
report at the next meeting, what, in
it's Judgment, is the most important
work to Immediately undertake to in
crease the efficiency of Methodism in
Maine"
Arguments Against Union.
The arguments against union have
thus been summed up in concise
form by prominent member of the
church:
The expenses and problems incident
al to entertainment would be much
greater, perhaps in proportion. and 1t
would be much more serious prob
lem. The expense would be greater to
preachers. 1t is claimed that it would
be no distinct advantage TO any par
ticuIar church. That conference lines
are not drawn on State lines. That not
one man in Is i'll the Maine conferences
wants it. each conference has its own
school to push, and if kept separate,
would probably have better success. It
is also argued that there will be no
more gain than there was when two
conferences We're made from three. and
that two conferences will develop more
leaders than two.
Arguments in Favor.
Those in favor say that with union
there would be a larger field of APP
pointments, and ministers would be
induced to stay in Maine. A saving in
superintendent would ensue. \ larger
conference would have an influence
and dignity not found in smaller
body. Better plans for State wide
work could be made. There would be
a reduction in useless machinery and
economy in administration would re-
suit.
One large conference would have a
gree ter civic and political influence.
The other denominations have state
organization. and act as a unit in civ
ic and moral problems. The increased
facilities in travel make transporta-
ton a simpler problem than when the
conferences We're first formed.
A state Methodist conference would
gain prestige in the general conference
.-as the Northern, New England con-
ference, possibly. The feeling of one
ness would be constructive. There
would be a prevalence of better in
formed preachers IS to the State. The
larger conference would develop
stronger lren than two weak ones.
Members State Views.
Rev. J. NJ. Frost of this city has re-
ceived u post card paragraphs from
members of the Maine conference stat
irg their views. Six are in favor and
six are opposed. \ few are given be-
low:
An Auburn man writes;
We cannot entertain the confer
encc as it is. acceptably. The distances
are prohibitive. The average salary OF
our ministers makes even now moving
an intoierable burden. The change
would simply cut out.on superintend-
ent from the East Maine conference,
and last but not least, not one man in
- Of the Maine conference desires
the same. Transfers are easy and now
the Eastern Maine conference has the
best conference and the initiative lies
entirely with them
Views of an Augusta man:
An united Maine Methodism would
speak with greater power and author