Norwich bulletin., 1914-03-25

1908 they were paid s605,000, last year it was $1, 100000. It will be necessary to. add s100,000 a year for five years, however, he said. in order to pay them what the laws of the church say they must receive. Remember, said the
 speaker, that the retired ministers, their widows and orphans received last year but 50 per cent of the specified amount. Imagine what the situation would be with you if you should be for the present condition rests with the ministers who are the brothers of these honored men. The amount is not fixed from without, you fix it, and the responsibility rests on you. Ask for what you need. The time is ripe. and there is only one way. As sume the only logical and defensible position, ask for what you need and pay one hundred cents on the dollar.
 The speaker then called upon Dr. B. c. Clemens of the North Minnesota conference. field representative of the Board of Conference Claimants of the M. E. Church, who made an impas- sioned plea for the retired preachers. their wives, and their orphaned chil
 dren, punctuating his address with many amusing and interesting anec- dotes.
 Declined to Marry the Astors.
 An interesting feature of the evening was when the speaker told the incident of the Methodist Episcopal clergyman, a member of this conference, who re- fused ten thousand dollars offered him if he would marry the late Col, Astor to his second wife. He asked for cor roboration of the story, and one of those present said: Tt is true, and the man is here tonight" At the request of Dr. Clemens, Rev Louis Brooks, at present of Fall River, Mass, rose to his feet and humbly acknowledged that he was the man. Dr. Clemens charac
 terized the act as one of the bravest he had ever known, and gave a hu- morOus turn by saying: T am glad no one ever offered me ten thousand"
 This was the last address of the eve
 ming and the session concluded, after envelopes had been distributed for the benefit of the fund for the retired clergy.
 Examinations at Morning Session. The morning session of the con-
 ference was held at 9 o'clock in the vestry of the Baptist church. Revt David H. Talmadge of Windsorville, Conn. and Rev. Homer Slutz of Prov idence, R. l., appeared before the eX- amtning committee. which consisted of
 Rev. R. S. Moore of Attleboro. Mass. and Rev. c. H. Grant. D. D., of East Weymouth, Mass. The examinations ing the four year course of the confer ence At in the afternoon the ex- amining board held a meeting at which there was considered the review of ! their work for the past year.
 150 Delegates Present. There are about one hundred and l fifty people in attendance so far at the conference, and the number will be augmented daily. as many are not ex- 1 pected to be able to attend until later | in the week.
 All Conveniences Provided. i The church has been attractively decorated. and all arrangements made | for the comfort and convenience of | the visitors. Several cozy rest rooms i have been arranged in the church par ! lors, telephone has been installed | and a poStoffice esta blished, which vii | be in charge of Miss Hazel Swift This i will be the meeting place of the mem l bers of the conference for a social time 1 together between the business sessions l There is writing material. also anC l several typewriters. The local church members are to be congratulated or ! the work they have done in this con- ! nection. and the indefatigable pastor ! Rev w. O Nuzum. than whom there | were few buster men in WillimantiC | Tuesday. should receive great credit
 for the way in which the conference ! bids fair to be run. It has been a big 1 undertaking for the local church anf | the event will he long remembered by 1 them well as their guests of tho 1 occasion.
 There will be four sessions tomor-
 TOW, dealing with various department. of the conference.