Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-04-15
Methodist Conference
Gets Example of
LabOr's Uncertainty

Biddeford, April 14LThat the pre-
vailing habit of strikes may interfere
even with the business of the church
was discovered today in Biddeford
when it was announced that the ca
terer had walked out, and the dele
gates to the Methodist conference
would have to find their meals wher-
ever they could. This unhappy af-
fair resulted from dissatisfaction ex-
pressed over inadequate service rem
dered by the caterer and the failure
of a large number to appear for sup
per last evening.
The feature of this mornings ses-
sion was the report of Rev. John M.
Arters, district superintendent of the
Portland district. He announced
that gain of $3.50 had been made
in pastoral support during this year,
increasing the average salary OF
Portland district from $1,O35 to
81 ,23S; Cos conversions were report
ed, with total gain of 541 in men,
bership of the district. The amount
spent on repairs, improvements and
The character of all the effective
elders of the conference was passed
upon at open session, and there was
no complaint against them.
An executive session was ordered
for 8 o'clock tomorrow morning at
which the three constitutional ques-
tions will be discussed.
The order of the day at IL o'clock
was the reception of fraternal dele
gates. Rev. C. H. Temple, represent
ing the Cniversalists, Rev. j. II.
Nichols, the Adventists, Rev. l.. d.
Dunn, the Free Baptists and Rev. Z.
S. Jones, the Congregationalists,
were introduced and each spoke
words of greeting. Bishop Hughes
responded and uttered a broad and
acceptable statement on the matter
of church unity.
The funds which are at the dispos-
al of the conference, for the relief of
the superannuated preachers was
largely increased by dividends OF $500
from board of conference claimants,
and $1771 from the book concern and
$35 from the Chartered fund. These
amounts were presented by repre-
sentatives of these agencies Of the
denomination.
DR.. I. G. Penn of the board of edu-
cation for Negroes, who spoke last
evening, DR.. L. o. Hartman, editor of
lions Herald, DIR. N. E. Davis, of the
board of hospitals, DIR. Bowman, of
the Attleboro Sanitarium, and DR..
J. NJ Arters, and Dr. Labount of the
deaconess' hospital of Boston, were
introduced. Rev. T. E. Fairchild,
pastor, of Orono. addressed the con-
ference at length on The Proposed
Wesley Foundation at the State Uni
versities. T. p Monahan of Rum
ford Rev. j. NJ Arters. and Rev. d.
B. Holt were elected to the board of
trustees.
Yesterday afternoon at the ami
versary of the Sustentation Fund,
Dr. A c. Goddard spoke on The
Spirit of the Organization which ex-
lists to offer relief to needy churches.
DR.. A H. Hewitt was the speaker at
the afternoon session of the confer
ence, presided over by Rev. c. H.
Draper. He is a rural pastor from
Vermont, and is giving series of
lectures on the country church. DR..
c. E. Guthrie of the board of Epworth
Leagues spoke at the annual banquet
of the conference rganization. and
also at the anniversary last evening.
The conference Epworth League met
yesterday afternoon and elected Rev.
l.. S. Staples, president; Rev. j. F..
Jenner. vice president; and Rev. c..
H. Draper, secretary and treasurer.