Annual Minutes of the Michigan Conference of The

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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,

BATTLE' CREEK, MICH..

September 8-15, 1875.

L. President. GEO. B. See'y. BISHOP SCOTT, \ JOCELYN,

Published by Order of Conference.

DETROIT:

PUBLISHED BV J. M . ARNOLD & CO. PRINTED AT FREE PRESS PRINTING HOUSE. 1875. —

Will each member of the Michigan Conference please report by mail immediately to Geo. B. Jocelyn, Secretary, Albion, Mich., answers to the following questions, that a complete register of the Conference may be made:

1. Your name in full ?

2. Born—where?

3. Born—when?

4. Admitted into full connection In what Conference?

5. When ?

(>. If not originally admitted into Michigan Conference, from what Conference, or other church, transferred to Michigan Conference?

7. When?

8. Converted when and where ?

Note.—Since the Minutes went to press, we learn that Rev. James E. Bayliss, stationed at Grandville, Grand Rapids District, died of typhoid fever, October 5th. He was admitted at the last session, and was a ma,n of talent and promise, and of remarkable purity and devotedness, thirty-four years of age. CONTENTS.

Page. Page. Appointments 36-40 Freedmen— Report on 66 Anniversary Exercies 40 Annual Sermon— to Preach 4 Introductions 7, 8, 9, 11, etc. Appeals—Triers of 5 Insurance—Church—Report on 24 Anniversary Exercises—Resolu'n on, 18 Journal— 1875 33 Admissions 27 5, Mission Auditors—Committee Rep't, 21 Benton Harbor Church— Resolu'n on, 32 Mal-administration—Report on 25 Minutes 25-27 relief of H. Hall—Rep't 31 Committee for Memoirs 44-50 Conference Officers 3 Missions—Report on ; 55 Conference Societies 3

Committees—Nominations for 187t> . . 4 Olivet Church—Report on 19 Committees of Examination for 1876, 4 Presiding Elders—Resolution Committees — 1875 6, 7 oh 20 Periodicals— Camp Meeting— State— Report on — 14 Report on 59 Camp Meeting - State—Committee on 14 P. O. Address of Members 73 Centennial Committee 17 Rules of Order Conference Treasurer 19 2 Resolution of Thanks 33 Conference -Time of (also Place of) 20, 28 6, 29, Railroads— Committee on 30 Committees -Reports of 44, 75 Report of 50 Church Tenure— Com Statistics— Gen'l (see folded sheets). Report on 09 Centennial Offering— Sabbath—Report on 64 Treasurer's Rep't. 71 Church Extens'n— Statisticians—Names of 4 Division of Conference—Report on.. 11 Seamen—Resolution on 15 S. S. Society -Committee on 29 Delegates to General Conference. . .16, 17 Disciplinary Questions 34 S. Schools and Tracts—Rep't on 62-64 Stewards' Report 58 Educational Society— Committee on, 21 Education -Ministerial 54 Transfers 6 Education— Report on 56 Torrey, A. W —Report of Committee 26 Electoral Conference— Lay 68 Tobacco—Report on 52 Episcopal Fund 70 Intemperance— Report on 67 Hi. 11. I> K^LTV Ac OO., GENERAL

L-CMii.iii.f.NKi.wti, MMOWitomMtM

FOR THK SAIiK OF

Grain, Flour, Butter, Eggs, Poultry, Scans, Potatoes, Dried Fruit,

And all kinds of Green Fruit and Berries in their season, &c.

We think we have the best of facilities for obtaining the highest market prices for all kinds of produce. Consignments respectfully solicited ; liberal advances made, and prompt returns guaranteed.

jlSTMr. Dean is a superanuated member of the Detroit Conference. His partner is an experienced business man. J. M. A.

We desire to call attention to advertisement of G. A. Watkins, manager for Michigan, of the Continental Life Ins. Co. of New-

York, on the first page of the advertisements in back. J. M. A.

CJ^CALL ATTENTION TO THEIR ^fl)

List of Recent and Valuable Books

Southall's Recent Origin of Man, octavo, - - - $6 00 Marsh's Earth as Modified by Human Action, 8 vo., - 4 50 Greenleaf's Testimonv of the Evangelists, 8 vo., - 5 50 Gilbert Haven's Mexico, - ... 3 50 Smith's Assyrian Discoveries, 8 vo., - - - - 4 00

Palgrave's History of the Anglo-Saxons, - - 2 25

Clark's Work of God in Great Britain, - - - 1 50 Geikie's Great Ice Age, 2 50

- Dawson's Nature and the Bible, - - - - 1 50

.Christlieb's Modern Doubt, - - 3 00

- Farrar's Life of Christ, 2 vols., - , 6 00

" " « ' " 1 vol., - - - - - 2 50

Steele's Love Enthroned, ------1 50

Peabody's Christian Belief and Life, - - - 1 50

Craft's Childhood, the Text Book of the Age, 1 50 r - Cooke's Bible Commentary, vol. 5, Isaiah, - - ) 00 Guthrie's Autobiography, vol. 2, - 2 00 Sehrnid's Biblical Theology of the New Testament, - - 3 00

Glasgow's Commentary on the Apocalypse, - - 5 00 Cocker's Theistic Conception of the World, - 2 50 Darwin's Insectivorous Plants, 2 00 " Descent of Man, new edition, - 3 00

Smith's Ancient Assyria, - - - . _ - 1 00

Birch's " Egypt, - . - - . . 1 00

Vaux's " Persia, - - - . _ . 1 00 Gosse's Evenings at the Microscope, .... 2 00 Moleworth's History of England, 3 vols., - - 6 00 Blackies' Four Phases of Morals, - - - - 1 50

Calder wood's Moral Philosophy, - 2 00 Ranibossen's Astronomy, - 6 00 Livingstone's Last Journals, ------5 00

" McCosh's Scottish Philosophy, - - - , . . 4 00 Dyke's Relations of the Kingdom, 1 25

Leathes' The Religion of the Christ, - - - - 4 00 Sears' Heart of Christ, - - 2 50

Paxton Hood's Villages of the Bible, - 3 50 Hare's Alton Sermons, .... - 2 50 Sherman's History of the Discipline, - - - - 2 50

Freeman's Hand-Book of Bible Manners, - - - 2 50

Wilkin's Phcenecia and Israel, - - - - 1 00 St. Augustine on St. John, 2 vols., 6 00

Jowett's Plato, 4 vols , 8 00

Tholuck's Hours of Christian Devotion, - - - - 3 00

Smith's Mohammed' and Mohammedism, - - 1 50

Headley's Sacred Mountains, cheap ed., - - - 2 00 McDavid's Through Normandy, 2 50

John Hall's Papers for Home Reading, - - - 1 75 McClintock and Strong, vol 6, cloth (in press), - - 5 00

Lange, vols. 17 and 18, cloth, - - - 5 00

Select Lessons on S. S. Lessons, 1876, - - - - 1 25

Schweinfurth's Heart of Africa, - - - 8 00 Motley's John of Barneveld, 7 00 Rollwyn's Astronomy Simplified, 4 50 Cooke's New Chemistry, 2 00

Townsend's Lost Forever, - - 1 75

Murray's Manual of Mythology, - - 2 25 Bulfinch's Age of Fable, ..... - 3 00 Fungi, - - ... - 1 50

Wood's Man and Beast Here and Hereafter, - - • 1 50

J. Parker's Paraclete, ------. - 2 00 Wilson's The Abode of Snow, - 2 25 Lemprier's Classical Dictionary, - - - - 1 50 Martineau's Religion and Materialism, - 75 Wynter's Border Land of Insanity, ... - 2 00 Field's Home Sketches in France, 1 50 Richardson's House Building, ----- 2 00 Devere's Wonders of the Deep, - - - - 1 50 Tannage's Daily Thoughts, ------2 00 JUN 1 8 19115

DElSQIf 1001

We call attention to the fact that we now furnish the Sunday School Advocate, which we mail directly from Detroit. We also furnish the Berean Leaves and Sunday School Journal. We have the best assorted stock of Sunday School Books in the West, and sell at the very lowest rates

Our conscientious aim is never to put objectionable books into a Sunday-School library on any pretext.

When it is desired to buy $50 worth or more, we send out books of our own selection to nearly double the amount wanted, and allow the school to select from them and return the balance, which is more economical and satisfactory than to send a committee to purchase.

We furnish all classes of Sunday-School papers of the different societies at the regular prices.

If you wish for any other child's paper than the Sunday School Advocate send for our list. IfgTTHE Sunday Guest will challenge comparison with any paper of its class published, both in Literary Merit and Artistic Beauty,

1 and its special features, viz : "Blackboard Diagrams," 'Teachers' Corner " and " Chat with Six Year Olds," especially commend it to public attention. We shall add to its attractions whenever practicable. We ask those Sunday Schools who desire a New, Fresh, Sprightly and Attractive paper to examine The Sunday Guest.

Send for the Berean Series to J. M. Arnold & Co., 189 Wood- ward Avenue. We are prepared to do Book-Binding in all its branches at the Cheapest Bates.

All accounts are due at the Annual Conference, and if not paid, will be charged current rates of interest.

Those employed by the Presiding Elder will be expected to furnish his certificate that they are entitled, to credit.

It is the interest of all customers to secure their goods at cash rates whenever practicable. All remittances should be made by Express, P. O. Order, Draft or Registered Letter, as we cannot be responsible for money sent by mail. No exchange allowed on drafts. 1 * All orders should state by what conveyance and route, and to what destination the goods should be sent.

Correspondence should be directed to

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The Remingtons' merit great success. They are the most liberal in their donations to religious objects of any institution in America. J. M. A. MINUTES

OP THE FORTIETH SESSION

OF THE

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,

HELD AT

BATTLE CREEK, MICH.,

September 8-15, 1875.

BISHOP L. SCOTT, President \ GEO. B. JOCELYN, See'y.

Published by Order of Conference.

DETROIT: PUBLISHED BY J. M. ARNOLD & CO. PRINTED AT FREE PRESS PRINTING HOUSE. 1875. J^ONFERENCE JOULES OF JDrDER.

1. The Conference shall meet at 8}£ o'clock A. m., and adjourn at 12 m., but may alter the time of meeting and adjournment at their discretion. 2. The President shall take the chair precisely at the hour to which the Confer- ence stood adjourned, and cause the same to be opened by reading the Scriptures, singing and prayer, and shall have the journal of the preceding day read and approved. o. The President shall decide all questions of order, subject to an appeal to the Conference, but in case of an appeal, the question shall be taken without debate. 4. He shall appoint all committees not otherwise specially ordered by the Con- ference, but any member may decline serving on more than one committee at the same time. f < >. All motions and resolutions introduced by any member shall be reduced to writing, if the President, Secretary, or any other member request it. (3. When a motion, resolution, or report presented is read by the Secretary, or stated by the President, it shall be deemed as in possession of the Conference, but any motion or resolution may be withdrawn by the mover at any time before the decision or amendment. 7. No new motion or resolution shall be made until the one under consideration is disposed of, which may be done by adoption or rejection, unless one of the following should intervene, which motions shall have precedence in the order in which they are named, viz: The previous question, indefinite postponement, laying on the table, reference to a committee, postponement to any given time, amendment or substitute. 8. No member shall be interrupted when speaking, except by the President, to call him to order when he departs from the question, uses personalities or disres- pectful language, but any member may call the attention of the President to the subject when he deems a speaker out of order, or any other member may explain when he thinks himself misrepresented. y. When any member is about to speak in debate, or deliver any matter to the conference, he shall rise from his seat and respectfully address himself to the President Hi. No person shall speak more than twice on the same subject, or more than fifteen minutes at one time, without leave of the Conference; nor shall any person speak more than once until every member choosing to speak, shall have spoken. ] !. Whenever any motion or resolution shall have passed, it shall be in order for any member who voted in the affirmative to move a reconsideration. 12. No member shall absent himself from the services of the Conference without leave, unless he is sit k or unable to attend. 16. No member shall be allowed to vote on any question who is not within the bar at the time when such question is put by the President, except by leave of the Conference, or when such member has been necessarily absent. 14. Every member who shall be within the bar, at the time the question is put, shall give his vote unless the Conference, for special reasons, excuse him. 15. No motion will be considered unless seconded. 16. The Secretary shall keep a journal of the proceedings of the Conference, and when approved, shall record them in a book, provided for that purpose. He shall take charge of the journal and other papers of the Conference, and preserve them with care; suffer no person to take a copy of any paper during the interval of Con- ference, except with the consent of the Conference, and shall forward the journal and papers to the next Annual Conference. 17. A motion to adjourn shall be in order at any time, and shall be decided without debate. 18. All committees whose reports are to be printed in the Minutes, shall present their reports in duplicate, one copy for the Conference, and another for the Com- mittee on Publication of the Minutes, otherwise the Committee on Publication are not required to insert such reports in the Minutes. 19. Ail persons, while passing the disciplinary course of study, who shall be reported below the medium, shall be required to pass another examination on the studies so reported; and the chairman on examining committees shall give notice to the Conference Secretary and to the deficient party. 20. A member of this Conference accused of offenses against the law and discipline of the Church is entitled to a copy of the charges and specifications to be relied on for the prosecution of the complaint, together with a notice of the time when the accused will be called upon to answer said charges and specifications. A failure to serve a copy of said charges and specifications a reasonable length of time before the same shall be presented for adjudication, must be satisfactorily explained by the prosecution before the trial can proceed. CONFERENCE OFFICERS,

PRESIDENT, Bishop LEVI SCOTT. SECRETARY, GEORGE B. JOCELYN. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES,

R. BOGGS, A. H. GILLETT, W. I. COGSHALL. RECORDING SECRETARY,

M. I. SMITH. STATISTICAL SECRETARY, GEO. L. COLE.

CONFERENCE SOCIETIES-1875-76. MISSIONAKY SOCIETY. President—I. COGSHALL. Secretary—J. H. POTTS. Vice-President—N. MOUNT. Treasurer—W. J. ALDRICH. MANAGERS, T. F. HILDRETH, E. COOLEY, Jr., E. D YOUNG. SUNDAY SCHOOL SOCIETY. AUG. H. GILLETT, Vice-President of Sunday School Union. CHURCH EXTENSION SOCIETY. President—D. F. BARNES. Cor. Sec'y—T. F. HILDRETH. Vice-Pkes.—HAMPTON, RICH, Esq. Rec. Sec'y—JAS. LOWE, Esq. Treasurer—L. R. ATWATER, Esq. MANAGERS,

J. I. BUELL, H. P. HENDERSON, A. J. ELDRED. J. E. BAYLIS, Esq., BAKER BORDEN, Esq. PREACHERS' SAVING- FUND SOCIETY. President—W. H. BROCK WAY. Secretary—R. C. CRAWFORD. Vice-President—H. HALL. Treasurer—D. F. BARNES. TRUSTEES, A. L. CRITTENDEN, J. H. PITEZEL, D. D. GILLETT G. D. LEE, A. P. MOORS, E. D. YOUNG, J. W. ROBINSON, T. T. GEORGE, I. TAYLOR.

* LADIES' AND PASTOES' CHRISTIAN UNION. President—L. H. PEARCE. Secretary—Mrs. C. C LATHROP. Vice-Presidents—A. A. KNAPPEN. Mrs. J. C. BLANCHARD. Mrs. G. S. BARNES. HISTORICAL SOCIETY. President—W. H. BROCK WAY. Vice-President—G. W. HO AG. Secretary and Treasurer—J. W. ROBINSON. MANAGERS,

J. H. PITEZEL, R. PENGELLY, I. BENNETT. COMMITTEES FOR 1876.

To examine Candidates for admission on trial. —E. D. Bacon, G. S. Hicks, J. Gulick.

First Year. -J. W. Reid, D. Engle, J. E. White. • Second Year.—G. D. Lee, W. M. Colby, J. Roberts. Third Year.—B. Worthington, J. White, J. Hamilton. Fourth Year.—C. S. Fox, G. S. Barnes, H. M. Joy. To examine Local Preachers for Deacon's Orders. —A. T. Gray, J. Web- ster, C. Chick. To examine Local Beacons for Elder's Orders. —George W. Hoag, J. A. Sprague, N. Saunders. To Preach the Annual Missionary alternate, Sermon.--N. Fassett ; J. H. Potts. Statisticians.—Geo. L. Cole, Statistical Secretary; Albion District, Wm. Riley; Coldwater District, I. R. A. Wightman; Kalamazoo District, J. H. Potts; Niles District, J. W. H. Carlisle; Grand Rapids District, J. A. Sprague; Ionia District, B. S. Mills; Lansing District, J. Gulick; Big Rapids District, N. Saunders; Pentwater District, J. N. Dayton; Grand Traverse District, W. H. Ware. Trier's of Appeals.—J. H. McCarthy, Geo. W. Tuthill, A. P. Moors, T. H. Jacokes, W. Doust, E. D. Young, A. A. Knappen.

NOMINATIONS POR 1876.

Board of Stewards.—J. H. McCarthy, L. M. Edmond, J. K Dayton, N. M. Steele, L. W. Calkins, A. A. Rolfe, W. H. Ware, C. H. Howe, F. M. Deitz, A. C. Beach.

Committee on Education.—F . D. Hemenway, H. M. Joy, W. H. Perrine, R. C. Welch. Mission Auditing Committee. — E. L. Kellogg, E. Marble, J. P. Force. Committee on Temperance. — A. P. Moors, H. D. Jordan, W. Barrett. Committee on Sunday Schools and Tracts. —J. Hamilton, A. J. Wheeler, A. R. Boggs.

Committee on State of the Church. — I. Cogshall, G. E. Hollister, E. Cooley, Jr. Committee on Church Extension.— C. C. Olds, N. Saunders, F. B. Bangs. Committee on Freedmen.—T. H. Jacokes, W. M. Colby, G. W. Gosling. Committee on Periodicals.—L. W. Earl, H. Worthington, G. W. Tuthill. Committee on Sanctity of Sabbath. —L. Masters, J. J. McAllister, J. H. Potts. Committee on Publication of the Minutes. —Secretaries of the Conference. Committee on Public Worship. —J. W. Robinson, W. J. Aldrich. Committee on Ministerial Education. —W. Doust, L. H. Pearce, W. J. Aldrich.

Committee on Book Concern Accounts. — D. Engle, I. Taylor, A. E. Ketchum, K M. Steele, W. A. Bronson, F. J. Freeman, B. S. Mills, Geo. L. Mount, D. R. Latham, G. Donaldson. Committee on Bible Cause.—W J. Swift, E. L. Kellogg, S. P. Warner. Committee on Conference Claimants. —One from each district, to be nominated by the presiding elders. Committee on Missions. —The presiding elders. Conference Treasurers. —J. W. Reid, A. A. Knappen, G. W. Sherman. Delegates to Fraternal Bodies.—The pastors in charge where such fraternal bodies meet. :

JoUF^NAL OP THE JSeSSION,

FIRST DAY.

Battle Creek, Mich., Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1875, 9 a. m. The Michigan Annual Conference of the Methodist

Episcopal Church commenced its Fortieth Session in the Meth- odist Episcopal Church in the City of Battle Creek, Michigan, at nine o'clock A. m., Wednesday, September 8th, 1875, Bishop Levi Scott presiding. The President read part of the twentieth chapter of Acts, com- mencing at the seventeenth verse, after which the Conference sang the two hundred and seventeenth hymn. Salmon Steele led in prayer. The Conference remained kneeling and sang

" Refining fire go through my heart, Illuminate my soul,

Scatter thy life through every part, And sanctify the whole."

T. H. Jacokes then led in prayer.

Geo. B. Jocelyn, Secretary of the last Conference, called the roll, and one hundred and forty-nine members answered to their names. Sixty-five were absent, and two, B. Sabin and W. Gray, were reported " asleep in Jesus." Geo. B. Jocelyn, on motion, was unanimously elected Secretary, with power to nominate his assistants. The following nominations

were made and confirmed : A. R. Boggs, A. H. Gillett, W. I.

Cogshall, Assistant Secretaries; M. I. Smith, Recording Secre-

tary ; Geo. L. Cole, Statistical Secretary. The Bishop announced the following transfers, and their names were entered on the roll : J. Boynton, from the Kansas Confer- 6 Michigan Annual Conference. ence, M. A. Daugherty, from the Detroit Conference, who were, upon motion of W. H. Perrine, cordially welcomed.

The rules of the last session were adopted for the present session. The Secretary announced that he had secured the courtesy of free return tickets to all members and visitors who paid full fare to Battle Creek, over the following roads : Michigan Central and all its branches, Chicago & Lake Huron, Grand Rapids & Indi- ana, Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore, and the Detroit, Lansing & Lake Michigan. A vote of thanks was tendered to the Secretary, and, through him, to the proper officers of the above-named roads ; and he was directed officially to notify said officers of the action of the Con- ference. The Superintendent of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern declined to grant the courtesy.

E. Cooley, Jr., announced that, during the session of the Con- ference, there would be religious services in the conference room, at 7.30 a. m., on each day of the session. The following Standing Committees were announced and confirmed :

Board of Stewards— G. S. Barnes, T. Cleghorn, W. M. Coplin, L. Mas- ters, N. L. Brockway, W. M. Colby, B. S. Mills, D. Engle, W. H Spar- ling, A. A. Knappen, H. H. Parker; and the following laymen: P. H.

Crippen from the Coldwater District, William S. Farmer from the Niles District, A. P. Green from the Lansing District, William Van Loo from the Big Rapids District.

On Education—C. C. Olds, J. H. McCarty, I. Taylor, W. H. Perrine, W. H. Brockway; and the following laymen: Wm. Allman from the Coldwater District, William Bort from the Niles District, James Estes from the Lansing District, George D. Warner from the Big Rapids District. Mission Auditing—J. W. Reid, F. B. Bangs, Geo W. Gosling. On Temperance— A. A. Knappen, S. N. Griffith, A. H. Gillett. On Sunday Schools and Tracts—A. P. Moors, Ed. A. Whitwam, W. H. Ware.

On Slate of the Church— I. Taylor, John Graham, J. N. Dayton. On Church Extension—W. J. Aldrich, M. V. Rork, W. I. Cogshall. On Freedmen—H. M. Joy, M. D. Carrel, E. D. Young. On Periodicals—W. H. Perrine, C. L. Barnhart, J. T. Iddings. Fortieth Session, 1875. 7

On Church Tenures— D D. Gillett, A. A. Knappen, I. Cogshall.

On Sanctity of the Sabbath—11. Hall, I. R. A. Wightman, J. M. Robinson* On Publication of the Minutes— Secretaries of the Conference. On Public Worship—C. S. Fox, E. Cooley, Jr.

On Ministerial Education-T. F. Hildreth, I. Cogshall, J. H. Potts. On Book Concern Accounts— G. W. Hoag, L. M. Edmonds, N. Saunders,

I. B. Tallman, B. H. Whitman, J. Roberts, W. J. Swift, L. J. Griffin, S. L. Hamilton, G. L. Haight.

On Memoirs— 1. Cogshall, T. H. Jacokes, R. C. Crawford, A. Hunsber- ger, J. H. Pitezel. On Conference Claimants— C. C. Olds, Thos. Lyon, R. C. Crawford, S. C. Woodard, Geo. W. Sherman, F. B. Bangs, N. L. Brockway, Wm, Doust, H. Worthington, A. C Beach. District Statisticians—H. Worthington, T. T. George, H. H. Parker, G. L. Haight, J. R. Cadwell, A. A. Rolfe, C. Chick, M. Browning, F. I.

Bell, J. P. Force.

M. V. Rork was appointed Assistant Missionary Secretary.

J. M. Reid, T. Lyon, A. A. Knappen and W. J. Aldrich were appointed a committee to consider and report concerning the propriety of having a Conference Treasurer, to receive all the benevolent funds of the Conference. A Committee on Conference Claimants, to consist of one from each district, to be nominated by the Presiding Elders, was ordered and made one of the Standing Committees.

Bishop Scott announced that the Conference was authorized to draw on the Chartered Fund for thirty dollars. The draft was drawn and placed in the hands of G. S. Barnes, Chairman of the Board of Stewards.

I. Cogshall announced that the Conference could draw on D. F. Barnes, Treasurer of the Parkhurst Fund, for twenty-six dollars and fifty cents interest. The draft was made and placed in the hands of G. S. Barnes. Wm. Taylor, of India, Superintendent of the Bombay, Bengal and Madras Mission, was introduced, and addressed the Confer-

ence, with especial reference to the work in that country, and

called for young men to volunteer for India. J. M. Phillips, of the New York Book Concern, was introduced, and spoke for himself and L. Hitchcock, of the Western Book Concern. :

8 Michigan Annual Conference.

D. Rutledge, Agent of the Freedman's Aid Society, was introduced.

The Secretary stated that blanks for the statistics had been prepared, so that only one table of statistics would appear in the printed minutes, and he was directed to use them.

J. H. McCarty addressed the Conference in relation to procur-

ing a site for a State Camp Meeting. The Conference appointed

J. H. McCarty, W. H. Brockway, T. H. Jacokes, A. A. Knappen and L. M. Edmonds, a committee to consider the matter and

report at this session of the Conference. The Secretary announced that a " Michigan Conference Regis- ter" had been procured. The Conference approved the action,

and directed that it be paid for. The hearing of an essay from R. C. Crawford—subject, " Preachers' Saving Fund Society," was made the special order of the day, for Thursday, 10 a. m. G. W. Hoag, Chairman of the Committee on Book Concern

Accounts, was directed to receive all sums collected for the Epis- copal Fund. The report of the Board of Trustees of Albion College for 1874-5, was presented by the Secretary, and referred to the Com- mittee on Education.

The following letter from Bishop William L. Harris was read

Chicago, June 30, 1875.

This is to certify that the appeal of William Rice from the action of the Michigan Conference, expelling him from the Church, was tried by a

Judicial Conference, held in the city of Chicago, December 15, 1874, and that the decision of the Michigan Conference in this case was confirmed.

Attest, WILLIAM L. HARRIS, President of the Judicial Conference.

The Conference ordered that the funds of the various benevolent

causes be paid to the treasurer of the society representing said

causes, and in case there is no treasurer, the funds shall be paid to the chairman of the committee representing such causes. L. M. Edmonds was appointed to receive the money for the Bible Society. The notices were given, the doxology sung, the benediction pronounced by I. Bennett, and the Conference adjourned. Fortieth Session, 1875. 9

SECOND DAY.

Battle Creek, Mich., Thursday, Sept. 9, 1875, 8.30 a. m.

The Conference met, Bishop Scott in the chair. The devotional exercises were conducted by I. Bennett. The minutes of Wednesday's session were read and approved.

The Secretary called the roll of yesterday's absentees, and thirty- four answered to their names. Total present, one hundred and eighty-three. The annual report of the Book Committee, together with the annual exhibits of the Book Concern and the Western Book Con- cern, was presented and referred to the Committee on Periodicals. The report of the Book Agents concerning the " Expenses of

Delegates to the General Conference," together with a copy of the

" Apportionment to the several Conferences," was presented and referred to the Presiding Elders, who were authorized to distribute the apportionment of Michigan Conference—eight hundred and fifty dollars—to the several districts. The reports of the Book Committee and the Book Agents with reference to the Episcopal Fund were presented, and referred to the Presiding Elders, with instruction to distribute the apportionment for Michigan Conference—one thousand two hundred dollars per year—among the Districts. H. C. Peck reported that A. W. Torrey was under charges, and placed the papers of the preliminary trial in the hands of the Secretary. The following select number of thirteen was appointed to try the case: J. H. McCarty, E. D. Bacon, N. Mount, J. Clu- bine, S. P. Warner, L. W. Earl, D. 0. Ball, J. W. H. Carlisle,

A. C. Beach, S. M. Merritt, J. Webster, I. B. Tallman, G. E. Hollister. F. B. Bangs, President. A. H. Gillett was detailed as Secretary.

Rev. W. P. Stowe, P. E. of Milwaukee District, Wisconsin Conference, was introduced.

Question 3 —Who remain on Trial ? was taken up. The names of the following persons were called. They reported their collections, the report of the Committee of Examination was io Michigan Annual Conference.

heard, they were severally represented by their Presiding Elders,

and continued on trial : Lafayette Dodds, Wesley A. Hunsberger, Orrin B. Whitmore, James H. Thomas, William L. Tilden, Jona- than M. Whitney. John P. Williams, a Chippewa, was not before the Committee of Examination, but he was represented

by his P. E., and continued on trial.

Scott Matthews was discontinued at his own request. A memorial service with reference to those ministers and wives of ministers who had died during the year was appointed for 2.30

p. m. of Sunday, Sept. 12, 1875.

The Committee on Memoirs was directed to prepare brief

memoirs of the ministers' wives who had died during the year, for publication in the Minutes.

The Secretaries of the various Conference societies were directed

to furnish the Secretary of the Conference with a list of their officers for the coming year, and also a brief account of their

respective Anniversary exercises, for publication in the Minutes. Question 7 — Who have been elected and ordained Elders- was taken up. The following named persons were called they ;

reported their collections ; the report of the Committee of Exam- ination was heard; they were severally represented by their Pre- siding Elders, their characters passed, and they were elected to

Elder's orders : Wilbur I. Cogshall, Daniel W. Parsons, Nelson Saunders, George L. Mount, Augustus H. Gillett, Charles A.

Jacokes. Arthur J. Wheeler, an Elder, reported his collections ;

the report of the Committee of Examination was heard ; he was represented by his Presiding Elder, and his character was passed. John W. Hollowell was represented by his Presiding Elder, his character passed, and he was continued in the Second Class of Deacons. Question 8—Who are the Supernumerary Preachers ?—was taken up. The names of the following persons were called, their

characters passed, and their relation continued : T. H. Bignall, Wm. H. Brockway, Welcome W. Johnson, Joseph Jones, Richard

Pengelley. A. J. Sensabaugh was located at his own request. Samuel Kitzmiller was made effective. Question 9 —Who are the Superannuated Preachers?—was Fortieth Session, 1875. 11 taken up. The names of the following persons were called, their characters passed, and their relation continued : Salmon Steele,

D. S. Haviland, Alvin Billings, J. T. Robe, G. A. Van Horn, H.

Morgan, L. Chatfield, T. J. Hill, G. W. Chapin, H. Penfield, W.

F. Jenkins, J. H. Pitezel, I. Bennett, I. H. Skinner, J. H. Rich- ards, J. W. Cawthorne, A. A. Dunton, B. F. Doughty, John W. Hollowell, A. Wakefield, T. J. Congdon. H. H. Hulbert was located at his own request. J. A. Sprague, J. S. Valentine, H. F. Spencer were made effective. B. Sabin, W. Gray, deceased. The hour for the special order of the day having been reached, R. C. Crawford read an essay on the Preachers' Saving Fund Society. F. Ohlinger, of Foochou, China, was introduced, and addressed the Conference with reference to the mission work in that place, and sang one of our Chinese Christian songs. The Conference, by vote, requested Bro. Ohlinger to bear our Christian greetings to the brethren in Foochou, and tell them that we sing the same songs they sing, and that we hope to meet them in heaven. D. W. Misener, of the Detroit Conference, was introduced. John Garish, Delegate from the Presbyterian Synod of Michi- gan, was introduced, addressed the Conference, and presented copies of the minutes of the Synod. The Conference sang :

" Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love, The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above."

James L. Crane, of Bedford Congregational Church, was introduced. The Secretary was directed to furnish each of the delegates of fraternal bodies with a copy of our Minutes. The following committee was appointed to nominate the committees for 1876 : D. Engle, Thomas Lyon, George W. Hoag, Horace Hall, George W. Sherman, W. H. Ware, W. J. Swift,

William Doust, H. Worthington, W. I. Cogshall. D. F. Barnes submitted the following as the action of the Joint Committee of the Detroit and Michigan Conferences concerning

the division of the two Conferences : :

12 Michigan Annual Conference.

To the Bishop and Members of Michigan Conference :

Your committee, to whom was submitted the question of Division of Conferences, and who were to attend the session of the Detroit Confer- ence to confer with a similar committee appointed by said Conference,

would report : Your committee attended the session of the Detroit Conference and

had a meeting with a similar one appointed by said Conference. It was quite apparent, however, that their committee was appointed more as a matter of courtesy than with the desire of division. We also visited the Bishop's room, and in his presence and with his consent, asked the vote of the Presiding Elders on this question. All voted against division. In joint committee the following resolution was adopted, the vote standing seven for and five against:

* 1 Resolved, That we deem it inexpedient to divide the Conferences at present, or to change boundary lines." We would respectfully submit this report, and recommend the adoption of the same. D. F. BARNES, Secretary of Committee.

The report was accepted and the committee discharged.

J. M. Reid presented the following resolutions, which, on motion, were adopted

Resolved, That all moneys for ministerial education be placed in the hands of Bro. D. F. Barnes.

Resolved, That all other educational moneys be placed in the hands of the Chairman of the Committee on Education—Bro. C. C. Olds. Resolved, That a committee of three be raised to take into consideration the propriety of organizing a society for the Michigan Annual Con- ference auxiliary to the Board of Education of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and report at the next session of this Conference.

D. D. Gillett presented the report of the committee who had examined the accounts of M. A. Daugherty, as Michigan Confer- ence Endowment Fund Trustee, and Albion College Endowment Fund Agent. The report was referred to the Committee on Edu- cation. The election of delegates to the next general Conference was made the special order of the day for Friday, September 10th, at 10 A. M. Fortieth Session, 1875. 13

H. C. Peck, at the request of H. H. Hulbert, asked a certificate of location for him, and it was granted. The announcements were made, the Doxology was sung, the benediction was pronounced by E. H. Day, and the Conference adjourned.

THIRD DAY.

Battle Creek, Mich., Friday, Sept. 10, 1875, 8.30 a. m.

The Conference met, Bishop Scott in the chair. The devotional exercises were conducted by J. Boynton.

The roll of yesterday's absentees was called, and eight answered

to their names ; total present, one hundred and ninety-one. The minutes of Thursday's session were read and approved.

A. J. Sensabaugh's certificate of location was handed to Geo.

D. Lee; H. H. Hulbert's certificate of location was handed to J. H. Pitezel. The credentials of Henry Robinson, as Deacon and Elder, were placed in the hands of the Secretary by N. Fassett. Question 4—Who are admitted into full connection?—was taken up. Fred. N. Janes, John W. Hallenbeck, James M.

Robinson, Oramel E. Wightman, John J. McAllister and Edward A. Whitwam came forward, and answered the usual disciplinary questions. The report of the Committee of Examination was

heard in each case ; they were severally represented by their Pre-

siding Elders, admitted into full connection, and, except James

M. Robinson, already a Deacon, were elected to Deacon's orders. John M. Johns was discontinued. Question 6—Who are the Deacons of the second class?—was taken up, and the names of the following persons were called: Martin V. Rork, Edward A. Tanner, Albert D Newton, William R. Stinchcomb, Merton D. Carrel, James M. Aiken. The report the of Committee of Examination was heard in each case ; they : :

Michigan Annual Conference.

were severally represented by their Presiding Elders, and their characters passed. Sanborn Snyder was not before the Committee of Examination, but he was represented by his Presiding Elder; his character passed, and he was located at his own request. The letter of Geo. W. Chapin, and the papers from the Quar- terly Conference within whose bounds he now resides, were presented and referred to the Committee on Conference Claimants. A letter from C. R. Brown, with reference to Albion College Library, was presented and referred to the Committee on Educa- tion.

S. N. Griffith was, on motion, requested to put in print for general circulation the very able address delivered by him at the Temperance Anniversary yesterday afternoon.

J. H. McCarty, from the Committee on State Camp Meeting, presented the following report, which, on motion, was adopted

To the Bishop and Members of the Michigan Annual Conference

Your committee to whom was referred the matter of a State Camp Meeting Ground, beg leave to report that they have considered the proposition made by the G. R & I. R R Co. to the Methodist people of Michi- gan, offering suitable lands for such purpose; and, Whereas, A State Camp Ground, in a healthful region, and accessible alike to all the great sections of our State, is highly desirable for purposes of recreation and devotion; therefore, Resolved, That we entertain any proposition of the kind with favor, and that we appoint a committee of three members from this body and one layman, to confer with a similar committee appointed by the Detroit Con- ference, to view the country; said committee shall have power to act for us in the location of such Camp Ground.

J. H. McCarty, William H. Brockway, A. P. Moors, of this

Conference, and S. O. Knapp, of Jackson, were appointed said committee. On motion of D. D. Gillett, the vote by which the report of the committee that examined the vouchers of M. A. Daugherty, as Michigan Conference Endowment I?und Trustee, was referred to the Committee on Education, was reconsidered, and the report was referred to the Board of Trustees of Albion College, with the request that they print the report for general distribution. : : :

Fortieth Session, 1875. 15

The following resolutions, on motion of S. N. Griffith, were adopted

Resolved, That we commend the claims of the work of the Western Seamen's Friend Society among our seamen to our ministers and people, as worthy of their sympathy and contributions. Resolved, That we will welcome among us and our people such agent as shall be appointed hy our Bishop or by the Rev. B. Frankland, of Chi- cago, General Superintendent of the Society.

The following resolution, offered by M. A. Daugherty, was laid on the table

Resolved, That the Bishop and Presiding Elders be requested to rear range the districts, so that the number shall be reduced to at least six.

Newton Foster was appointed to assist in the prosecution of A. W. Torrey. The order of the day, the election of delegates to the Seven- teenth Delegated General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was taken up. The Bishop announced that the Confer- ence, having two hundred and seventeen members, was entitled to five delegates. S. N. Griffith, J. W. Reid and Geo. W. Gos- ling were appointed tellers. A ballot was had, and the tellers, accompanied by W. I. Cogshall, one of the Assistant Secretaries, retired, by direction of the Conference, to count the votes.

Question 10—Was the character of each preacher examined ? —was taken up. C. S. Fox, P. E. of Albion District, reported the work on his district. As soon as he had finished his report, the preachers of the district, through C. C. Olds, presented him and his wife a beautiful silver tea set.

C. S. Fox, J. M. Reid, T. H. Jacokes, A. J. Russell, were appointed a committee to consider the case of Olivet Church, and report what action, if any, should be taken.

The characters of the following effective Elders were passed

C. S. Fox, Levi Tarr, J. H. McCarty, D. Engle, E. Cooley, Jr.,

G. C. Draper, A. L. Crittenden, S. M. Merritt, S. L. Hamilton, Win. M. Riley, J. T. Iddings, A. Hunsberger, C. C. Olds, E. D. Young, B. W. Smith, E. Wigle, E. Marble, J. H. Ross, E. L. 16 Michigan Annual Conference.

Kellogg, F. I. Bell, C. G. Thomas, Uri Mason, Geo. B. Jocelyn, Jas. H. Hopkins, Rollin C. Welch.

On motion, Mrs. Mary T. Lathrop was appointed to receive all moneys in the hands of the ministers, belonging to the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. Mrs. Lathrop was introduced to the Conference, and requested that the preachers hereafter would pay all such moneys to the treasurers of their local societies.

Question 10 was resumed. A. J. Eldred, P. E. of the Cold- water District, reported the condition of the work in his district.

The characters of the following effective Elders were passed: A. J. Eldred, Isaac Taylor, E. H. Day, Thos. Lyon, T. H. Jacokes,

Geo. S. Barnes, I. R. A. Wightman, E. D. Bacon, J. Clubine, L. P. Ferguson, C. H. Ellis, John Hoyt, J. E. White, Geo. W. Tuthill, L. M. Edmonds, James Webster, F. Gage, W. M. Pad- dock, H. H. Hall, T. T. George. W. H. Pearne, of the New Jersey Conference, was introduced. H. C. Peck, P. E. of the Kalamazoo District, reported the condition of his district. The time of the Conference session was extended. A charge of mal-administration was preferred by D. D. Gillett against H. C. Peck, and, after some considerable discussion, it was referred to a select number of nine.

The Secretary announced the following as the result of the first ballot for delegates to the next General Conference : Whole num-

ber of votes cast one hundred and eighty-five ; necessary to a choice ninety-three. Geo. B. Jocelyn received one hundred and fifty-seven, Jno. M. Reid one hundred and twenty-eight, D. F. Barnes one hundred and eighteen, W. H. Perrine ninety-six. No other person received a majority of the votes cast. The Bishop announced that George B. Jocelyn, Jno. M. Reid, D. F. Barnes and W. H. Perrine, having each received a majority of all the votes cast, were duly elected delegates to the Seventeenth Dele- gated General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to be holden in St. Louis, May, 1876. The Conference then balloted for the fifth delegate, and the tellers and Secretary retired to count the votes. The announcements were made, the doxology was sung, the benediction pronounced by W. H. Brockway, and the Conference adjourned. : ;

Fortieth Session, 1875. '7

FOURTH DAY.

Battle Creek, Mich., Sept. 11, 1875, 8.30 a. m.

The Conference met, Bishop Scott in the chair. The devotional exercises were conducted by Alvin Billings. The minutes of Friday's session were read and approved.

L. R. Fiske and Seth Reed, of the Detroit Conference, and J. E. Ervin, of the North Indiana Conference, were introduced. The Secretary announced the following as the result of the ballot for the fifth delegate

Whole number of votes cast, one hundred and sixty-eight

necessary to a choice, eighty-five. F. D. Hemenway having received one hundred and six votes, the Bishop declared that he was duly elected a delegate to the next General Conference, to be holden in St. Louis, May, 1876. The Conference then voted for two reserve delegates, and the Tellers and Assistant Secretary retired to count the ballots. George M. Tuthill, Agent for the American Bible Society for the State of Michigan, was introduced, and addressed the Confer-

ence in the interests of that society. A paper from the Board of Church Extension, on the " Insur- ance of Church Property," was read, and, on motion, referred to

the following committee : Thomas Lyon, William Doust, William Allman.

J. H. McCarty, A. A. Knappen, H. M. Joy, and John Lewis, of Greenville, were chosen a Centennial Committee, to cooperate with a similar committee already appointed by the Detroit Con- ference. L. R. Fiske, Editor of the Michigan Christian Advocate, addressed the Conference in the interests of that paper.

The Secretary announced the result of the first ballot for

reserve delegates to the next General Conference : Whole number of votes cast, one hundred and ten necessary ; to a choice, fifty-six. There was no election, as no one had received a major-

ity of the votes cast. On motion of I. Cogshall, the two having the highest number of votes, J. W. Robinson, having forty-eight 3 : —

i8 Michigan Annual Conference. votes, and Henry M. Joy, having forty-five votes, were elected reserve delegates to the next General Conference, and so declared by the Bishop.

Question 19—Have any Local Preachers been ordained ? was taken up. John R. Robinson, from the Grand Rapids Dis- trict, and George Nada, from the Grand Traverse District, being properly recommended, were represented by their Presiding Elders, and elected to Deacon's orders. David A. Ide, a Local Deacon from Coldwater District, being properly recommended, was represented by his Presiding Elder, and elected to Elder's orders. F. D. Hemenway presented to the Conference a beautiful vase of flowers, with the accompanying note :

Shady Cottage, Saturday Morning.

Blooming in honor of the Methodist Episcopal Conference, now in session in our city. Friends and Strangers—These lovely blossoms are but faint emblems of the brightness and beauty of the fadeless flowers blooming in the shadowless land, whose sweet fragrance will greet you long ere you reach the waveless shore. May you all meet in the sweet by and by, where are known no evening hours. MRS. L. C. SWEET.

It was received by the Bishop in a few appropriate remarks, and the Conference joined in singing a stanza of the " Sweet by and by." W. H. Perrine offered the following resolutions, which, on motion, were adopted

Resolved, That the proper committees be instructed to arrange hereafter for the holding of all anniversaries at the seat of this annual Conference, in the afternoon. Resolved, That each District Conference be requested "to choose out from among themselves," and to send up to this body, a layman of " hon- est report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over the business " of the Conference Stewards. Resolved, That throughout the evenings of the Conference session "we will give ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the Word."

John M. R3id, from the Committee on Olivet Church, presented the following report, which, on motion, was adopted : :

Fortieth Session, 1875.

To the Bishop and Members of the Michigan Annual Conference : Your committee, to whom was referred the case of the Olivet Church, would report that they have heard the representations of the pastor and members of this church, and find that they have a very good church, eli- gibly located, but burdened with a debt over and above all assets of about $4,000; that the society is small, and almost without means, not even paying the interest on the debt. Your committee believe it highly important to save this church, and that, if once relieved of debt, it would at once enter upon a career of prosperity in a field where a Methodist

Church is needed. We believe, also, that if the little society now there were inspired with courage and hope they could raise in Olivet one-half of the debt, and that they can be so inspired only by the assurance that the other half will come from other sources. We therefore recommend that as soon as the Olivet Church shall provide for one-half of the debt now pressing upon the Church, they be authorized to go throughout the

Conference and solicit the other half, and that the members of this Con- ference pledge them hearty welcome and cooperation, and that we warmly commend their application to the favorable consideration of our people.

John'M. Reid, from the Committee on Conference Treasurer, presented the following report, which, on motion, was adopted

To the Bishop and Members of the Michigan Annual Conference :

Your committee to consider the matter of a Conference Treasurer respectfully report that they are of opinion that the appointment of one person, rather than several, to receive all the benevolent moneys of the Conference, will greatly facilitate and improve this part of our Confer- ence business. We therefore recommend the following: Resolved, That one person, with two assistants, to be nominated by the Committee on Nominations, are hereby appointed Conference Treas- urers for the next year, and that it be their duty to receive and pay over to the proper persons all the benevolent collections of the Conference, exeept the moneys to be disbursed by the Steward. Resolved, That the three brethren thus nominated are hereby appointed a committee to prepare by the next session of this Conference books and blanks, and to make all necessary arrangements for the perfect and easy working of this plan. Resolved, That we, the members of the Conference, pledge ourselves to come prepared to report the collections and pay over the moneys at an early hour of the session, and that we will so increase the total that there will be no fraction of a dollar, and that we will pay over the

same to the Treasurer in large bills, or drafts. :

20 Michigan Annual Conference.

The Presiding Elders were directed to call the especial attention of pastors to the report.

Seth Reed, L. R. Fiske and J. M. Arnold, of the Detroit Con- ference, addressed the Conference with reference to a Library for Albion College, urging the necessity of placing at once an excel- lent Library in the College, and asking the hearty cooperation of all in raising as a Centennial offering the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars for that purpose.

J. H. McCarty presented the following, which was adopted by a vote of seventy-four for to thirty-one against

Whereas, a discussion is in progress throughout the church touching the question of the election of Presiding Elders by ballot, or otherwise, in open Conference; and Whereas, Such a change would be radical, striking at the essential features of our system ; and

Whereas, We believe that the ODly change, if any, be demanded, is purely administrative; and Whereas, Popular elections are generally attended with more or less irritation, and in their results not always more satisfactory than prayer- fully-made appointments; therefore, Resolved, That, in the judgment of this Conference, the law in relation to the Presiding Eldership should not be changed.

James Hamilton moved to take from the table the motion relating to lessening the number of the Presiding Elders' Dis- tricts to six, which motion to take from the table was laid on the table, by a vote of sixty-eight for to thirty-one against. Question 23—Where and when shall the next Conference be held?—was taken up. Grand Rapids, Division Street, and Niles, were named and represented, and it was decided by a vote of seventy-two to seventy-one to hold the next session at Niles. George L. Cole, the Statistical Secretary, was directed to appoint the District Statisticians for next year.

Question 10—Was the character of each Preacher examined ? —was resumed. The characters of the following effective Elders were passed : S. N. Griffith, I. Cogshall, H. H. Parker, M. I. Smith, J. A. Van Fleet, T. Cleghorn, S. S. Wilson, E. S. Meches- ney, C. L. Barnhart, J. N. Dayton, J. R. Oden, Joshua White, : —

Fortieth Session, 1875. 21

C. T. Van Antwerp, J. H. Potts, G. W. Hoag, John W. White, W. Barrett, R. C. Crawford, A. E. Ketcham, F. D. Hemenway, Thomas Clark. Question 7—Who have been elected and ordained Elders ? was resumed, and the name of Duncan M. Ward was called. He reported his collections, the report of the Committee of Examina- tion was heard, he was represented by his Presiding Elder, his character passed, and he was elected to Elder's orders.

Question 10—Was the character of each Preacher examined ? —was resumed. J. W. Robinson, P. E. of Niles District, represented the work on his district, and his character passed. The Bishop appointed D. F. Barnes, George B. Jocelyn, F. D.

Hemenway, the committee to consider the propriety of organizing a Michigan Conference Education Society, auxiliary to the Board of Education of the Methodist Episcopal Church. (See resolutions, third page.) E. Hayes was appointed Committee on Post-offices. The announcements were made, the doxology sung, the benediction pronounced by A. J. Kynett, and the Conference adjourned.

FIFTH DAY.

Battle Cheek, Mich., Monday, Sept. 13, 1875, 8.30 a. m.

The Conference met, Bishop Scott in the chair. The devotional exercises were conducted by I. Cogshall. The minutes of Saturday's session were read and approved. J. W. Reid, from the Mission Auditing Committee, presented the following report, which was adopted

To tlie Bishop and Members of tJie Michigan Annual Conference : The Mission Auditing Committee respectfully beg leave to report: We have examined the accounts of the Presiding Elders, and find that all money entrusted to them for missions, in the Michigan Conference, for : :

22 Michigan Annual Conference.

the Conference year ending September 8th, 1875, has been accounted for, per vouchers such as are approved by the Missionary Board.

Bishop Scott presented the following certificate to be entered on the journal

I hereby certify that on yesterday, September 12th, 1875, the following

persons were by me ordained to the office of Deacon : Frederick N. Janes,

John W. Hallenbeck, Oramel E. Wightman, John J. McAllister, Edward A. Whitwam, John R Robinson and George Nada; and that, assisted by

five Elders, the following were ordained to the office of Elder : Wilbur I. Cogshall, Daniel W. Parsons, Nelson Saunders, George L. Mount, Augus- tus H. Gillett, Charles A. Jacokes, Duncan M. Ward and Daniel A. Ide. L. SCOTT. Battle Creek, September 13, 1875.

The Committee on Memoirs reported that an impressive Memor- ial Service was held Sunday, 2.30 p. m. The following memoirs

were presented and ordered published in the Minutes : Memoir of B. Sabin [See Reports A], memoir of W. Gray [See Reports B], memoir of Catharine H. Bangs [See Reports 0], memoir of Martha Elizabeth Van Horn [See Reports D]. The annual report of Garrett Biblical Institute was presented, and referred to the Committee on Education. D. D. Gillett presented the following report on Church Tenures [See Reports E]. The Bishop announced the following as the select number of nine, to try the charge of mal-ad ministration against H. C. Peck E. Marble, T. T. George, Geo. W. Gosling, T. F. Hildreth, J. Hamilton, J. Roberts, C. H. Howe, Wm. R. Stinchcomb, G. L.

Haight. T. H. Jacokes was appointed President, and W. I. Cog- shall detailed as Secretary. Question 10—Was the character of each Preacher examined? —was resumed, and the characters of the following effective Elders passed: W. J. Aldrich, D. Burns, A. J. Russell, N.

Mount, W. H. Perrine, Geo. W. Gosling, I. B. Tallman, N. M. Steele, W. Prouty, G. S. Hicks, W. M. Coplin, D. D. Gillett, S. C. Woodard, A. T. Gray, G. C. Elliott, J. P. Force, J. M. Reid, Horace Hall. The character of W. Matthias passed, and he was Fortieth Session, i8jj. 23 permitted to withdraw from the Connection. His parchments as

Deacon and Elder were surrendered to the Conference. Horace Hall made a report of his work as agent of the Church at Benton Harbor. The church had been destroyed by lightning. J. P. Force was appointed a Committee of Relief. D. F. Barnes, P. E. of Grand Rapids District, reported the condition of the work on his district, and his character passed. The

characters of the following effective Elders were passed : T. F. Hildreth, A. P. Moors, G. W. Sherman, M. Browning, B. H. Whitman, E. Hayes, Wm. M. Ball, L. W. Calkins, Levi Masters, John Graham, C. H. Fisher, F. Glass, L. Bathrick, G. E. Hollis- ter, N. D. Marsh, L. H. Pearce. W. A. Bronson was granted a supernumerary relation.

J. H. McCarty presented the following on the Use of Tobacco, which, on motion, was adopted [See Reports P].

J. I. Buell, P. E. of Ionia District, reported the condition of the work in his district, and his character passed. The characters of the following effective Elders passed : H. M. Joy, N. L.

Brockway, J. Hills, A. Rogers, J. Roberts, A. R. Boggs, J. R.

Cadwell, G. A. Phillips, N. Bray,S. P. Warner, B. S. Mills, J. W.

Reid, T. J. Spencer, W. H. Ware, J. F. Wallace. N. Fassett, P. E. of the Lansing District, reported the condition of the work in his district, and his character passed. He received from the hands of J. K. Stark a roll of greenbacks from the preachers in his district, as a slight token of their appreciation of him. The characters of the following effective Elders passed:

A. A. Knappen, F. B. Bangs, J. Gulick, J. H. Tanner, A. A.

Rolfe, L. W. Earl, W. J. Swift, S. P. Hewitt, W. M. Colby, James Hamilton, F. J. Freeman, D. C. Woodard, J. K. Stark, B. S.

Pratt, J. S. Harder, H. D. Jordan. S. G. Blanchard was granted a supernumerary relation. Geo. D. Lee, P. E. of the Pentwater District, reported the condition of the work in his district, and his character passed. " The following question was presented to the Bishop : If the testimony of an absent witness is desired for the furtherance of justice, in a case pending to be tried at an ensuing Conference, and application is made for a pastor to take the testimony where : :

24 Michigan Annual Conference, the witness lives, who is to appoint the said pastor to take the testimony, if any one, as provided for in the Discipline, paragraph three hundred and forty-seventh?" To which the Bishop gave " the following answer : The preacher in charge where the witness lives may take the testimony, and the proceeding will be valid. But the word 'may' indicates that the preacher in charge has option in the case. If he fail to take the testimony, the Presiding

Elder may appoint a preacher in the district to take the testimony, and the proceeding will be valid." At the request of several members of the Conference, Mrs. Eva McAllister, of Battle Creek, assisted by Messrs. Rork, Newton and Wilbur, sang " Hold the Fort." Win. Doust made a statement with reference to the Church at Pentwater.

The time of the Conference session was extended. A. J. Kynett, Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Church Exten- sion, addressed the Conference. Thos. Lyon, from the Committee on Church Insurance, presented the following report, which, on motion, was adopted

To the Bislwp and Members of Michigan Conference

Your committee to whom was referred the matter of the insurance of church property, beg leave to offer the following:

Resolved, That it is the sense of this Conference, that the Church

Extension Board, as soon as it may, organize, in accordance with paragraph four hundred and second of the discipline, a corporation for the purpose of insuring church and parsonage property, with furniture and contents.

D. D. Gillett preferred a charge of mal-administration against Wright Barrett; said charge was by vote dismissed on the ground of insufficient notice.

S. Snyder's certificate of location was handed to Geo. D. Lee. The announcements were made, the doxology sung, the benediction pronounced by George B. Jocelyn, and the Conference adjourned. :

Fortieth Session, 1873. 25

SIXTH DAY.

MORNING SESSION.

Battle Creek, Mich., Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1875, 8.30 a. m.

The Conference met, Bishop Scott in the chair. The devotional exercises were conducted by E. H. Day. The minutes of Monday's session were read and approved.

The select number appointed to try the charge of mal-administration against H. C. Peck, rendered the following verdict

Battle Creek, Mich., Sept. 13, 1875.

The select number to whom was referred the charge of mal-administration, preferred by Rev. D. D. Gillett against Rev. H. C. Peck, find that sufficient notice of intention to present these charges was not given the respondent, and hence dismiss the case. T. H. JACOKES, President.

W. I. Cogshall, Asst. Sec'y Michigan Conference.

D. D. Gillett then gave verbal notice in open Conference that the charges of mal-administration against H. C. Peck and Wright Barrett, which had been dismissed for want of sufficient notice, would be prosecuted at the next session of the Michigan Confer- ence. John Wood, of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Canada, was introduced. G. P. Linderman, of the Free-Will Baptist Church, was introduced, and presented fraternal greetings. The Secretary announced that the Conference owed the following:

Balance due on Minutes of 1874 $87 75 Due Secretary Geo. B. Jocelyn, Expressage, Stationery, Postage, Printing 10 65

Due Secretary M. I. Smith, Expressage, Register, Blanks, Postage, 18 00 Due Secretary G. L Cole, Postage on Blanks 2 74 Due E. Cooley, Jr., Programmes, Postals, etc 11 20

$130 35

As there was no appropriation for printing the missionary matter in last year's minutes, the Conference appropriated one hun- 4 :

26 Michigan Annual Conference.

dred dollars— fifty dollars of the amount to be paid on the minutes

of last year, and fifty dollars on the minutes of this year. f John M. Arnold announced that if two thousand five hundred copies of the minutes were printed, he would furnish them at twelve cents per copy. The Secretary was directed to have two

thousand five hundred copies printed. The roll of Conference was called, and two thousand two hundred and eighty-two copies were taken, and seventy-five dollars and sixty-six cents subscribed on the Conference indebtedness.

Conference Indebtedness $130 35 Appropriation for Minutes $50 00 Subscriptions 75 66 125 66

Unprovided for U 69

L. W. Calkins was appointed to collect the subscriptions on the indebtedness and for the minutes, and to pay the same over to the Secretary.

The select number appointed to try the charges against A. W. Torrey, presented the following verdict:

To the Michigan Annual Conference

Dear Fathers and Brethren —Your committee to whom were referred the charges preferred against A. W. Torrey, a member of this Annual Conference, beg leave to report that, after a thorough and candid examination of the evidence in the case, it is our opinion that the evidence sustains the fifth, sixth and seventh specifications under the general charge, and that, therefore, the charge is sustained. And, further, that we adopt the following preambles and resolution: Whereas, A long time has elapsed since the events coveredjby the evi- in dence this case transpired ; and, Whereas, There are many palliating circumstances connected with the case; and, Whereas, Brother Torrey has been doing much during the intervening time to redeem his Christian character; therefore, Resolved, That the penalty be limited to an expulsion from the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church. F. B. BANGS, President. A. H. Gillett, Secretary.

Battle Creek, September 14, 1875. :

Fortieth Session, 1875. 27

Question 10—Was the character of each Preacher examined? —was resumed. E. C. Chambers was superannuated at his own request. James Draper was made supernumerary at his own

request, on account of ill health. The characters of the following effective Elders passed : L. J. Griffin, C. Chick, C. H. Howe. J. W. Miller, P. E. of Grand Traverse District, reported the condition of the work in his district. The characters of the following effective Elders passed : J. W. Miller, H. Worthington, Geo. L. Cole, D. K. Latham, J. W. H. Carlisle, A. J. Wheeler, F. M. Deitz. H. P. Henderson, P. E. of Big Rapids District, reported the condition of the work in his district. The characters of the fol-

lowing effective Elders passed : H. P. Henderson, Geo. L. Haight, D. O. Ball, Horatio N. Hall, E. H. Sparling, Geo. Donaldson, W. H. Sparling, A. C. Beach, E. Treadgold. L. M. Bennett was superannuated at his own request. Question 2—Who are admitted on trial?—was taken up. Their recommendations, examinations and representations being satisfactory, the following persons were admitted on trial : Amos M. Gould, James E. Bayliss, Chauncy Van Auken, Wm. E. New- ton, Robert H. Bready.

James Hulin, an Elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Canada, and Jacob Marzolf, an Elder in the Evangelical Associ- ation in Canada, were admitted members of the Conference. Bishop Scott stating that he desired Wm. E. Newton for the foreign missionary work, the Conference elected him to the orders of Deacon and Elder.

T. F. Hildreth was appointed a committee on plan for deter- mining the number of minutes to be published, and the method of paying for them. T. F. -Hildreth, from the Committee on Ministerial Education, presented the following report, which was adopted [See Reports Q],

H. C. Peck, from the Committee on Missions, presented the following, which was concurred in [See Reports H]. H. C. Peck offered the following resolutions, which, on motion, were adopted :

28 Michigan Annual Conference.

Whereas, There is a resolution on the journals of this Conference requiring the Presiding Elders to assess on the districts the amount reported by the stewards as necessary for the Conference Claimants; therefore, Resolved, That for this purpose a full claim shall be two hundred and fifty dollars.

Resolved, That the stewards are instructed hereafter to make their estimates on this basis.

Geo. B, Jocelyn offered the following resolution, which was adopted :

Resolved, That in fixing the time for the next session of the Michigan

Annual Conference, the Bishops are hereby requested to appoint it not earlier than the middle of September, nor later than the 10th of October.

C. C. Olds, from the Committee on Education, presented the following report, which was laid on the table [See Reports I]. The announcements were made, the doxology sung, the benediction pronouuced by C. C. Olds, and the Conference adjourned to meet at 2.30 p. m.

SIXTH DAY—AFTERNOON SESSION.

Battle Creek, Mich., Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1875, 2.30 p. m.

The Conference met, T. H. Jacokes in the chair by the appointment of Bishop Scott. The devotional exercises were conducted by D. Burns. The minutes of the morning session were read and approved.

J. W. Reid presented the following resolution, which, on motion, was adopted [See Rule No. 20, of Conference Rules of Order].

The report of the Committee on Education [See Reports I] was taken from the table, its recommendations considered, voted on seriatim, and adopted as follows

1. J. H. McCarty was appointed visitor to Garrett Biblical Institute.

2. D. F. Barnes was elected a trustee of the Northwestern University. : :

Fortieth Session, 1875. 2g

3. William H. Brockway and James W. Sheldon were elected trustees of Albion College.

4. A. R. Boggs, Geo. S. Barnes and Henry F. Spencer were appointed visitors to Albion College.

5. C. C. Olds was directed to pay the education funds in his hands to Albion College Library Fund. The report as a whole was adopted. The following resolution was unanimously adopted by a rising vote

Whereas, The Hon. John Owen has for years, as chairman of the Albion College Endowment Fund Committee, been the sole manager and guardian of that fund, doing without fee or reward an unknown amount and value of labor; therefore,

Resolved, By the Michigan Annual Conference, that John Owen is worthy of the highest commendation, alike for the diligence, fidelity and tireless labor, which he has so nobly laid under tribute to guard the interests intrusted to his care and management.

The Board of Stewards presented the following report, which was adopted [See Reports J]. W. H. Perrine, from the Committee on Periodicals, presented the following report, which was adopted [See Reports K]. W. M. Coplin was granted a superannuated relation, on account of poor health. A. P. Moors, from the Committee on Sunday Schools and Tracts, presented the following report, which was adopted [See

Reports L]. S. N. Griffith offered the following resolution, which was adopted

Resolved, That W. H. "Ware be, and is hereby, appointed a committee of one to find the Constitution of the Sunday School Society of this

Conference, or, in case it cannot be found, to prepare a Constitution to be submitted at the next session of this Conference.

W. H Ware presented the reports of the Treasurer of these two causqp, which were approved [See Reports M and N]. Horace Hall, from the Committee on the Sanctity of the Sab- bath, presented the following report, which was adopted [See

Reports 0]. ::

jo Michigan Annual Conference,

W. H. Perrine presented the following resolution, which was adopted

Resolved, That a committee of this Conference be instructed to prepare, for circulation along the lines of the various railways of the State, a peti-

tion, respectfully praying that the authorities in charge of the railways aforesaid refrain from running trains upon the Sabbath.

W. H. Perrine, by vote of Conference, was appointed the Com- mittee created by the foregoing resolution. H. M. Joy, from the Committee on Freedmen, presented the

following report, which was adopted [See Reports P]. L. H. Pearce offered the following resolution, which was adopted

Whereas, We learn with regret that Rev. S. N. Griffith is to be trans-

ferred from the Michigan Conference, at its present session; therefore,

Resolved, That if, in the Providence of God, he should return to this Conference, we will most heartily welcome him back.

L. M. Edmonds presented the following, as Treasurer of Bible

Society Money, which was approved [See Reports Q,]. A. A. Knappen, from the Committee on Temperance, presented the following report, which was adopted [See Reports R]. The Treasurer of the Missionary Society was directed to put

into the hands of I. Cogshall a receipt for money on the Arney

Bequest, which receipt is necessary to him in settling the estate.

The Secretary of the Conference was directed to put into the

hands of I. Cogshall, to deliver to the proper parties, the

" Account Book " and the " Dime Society " book, used in evidence in the A. W. Torrey case. The privilege of canvassing the various charges in the Confer-

ence, by a duly authorized agent, for pecuniary relief, was granted the Holland Society. The announcements were made, the doxology was sung, the benediction pronounced, and the Conference adjourned until

7.30 p. m. : :

Fortieth Session, r8j^. 3*

SIXTH DAY—EVENING SESSION.

Battle Creek, Mich., Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1875, 7.30 p. m.

The Conference met, F. B. Bangs in the chair by appointment of Bishop Scott. The devotional exercises were conducted by J. H. Pitezel. The minutes of the afternoon session were read and approved. D. D. Gillett offered the following resolution, which was

adopted :

Whereas, We learn with regret that Rev. M. A. Daugherty is to be transferred from the Michigan Conference, at its present session; therefore,

Resolved, That if, in the providence of God, he should return to this Conference, we will most heartily welcome him back.

The Michigan Conference Board of Church Extension for the past year was reelected for the coming year. [See Conference

Societies, page 3.] The following, from the Electoral Conference of Laymen, was presented, and ordered to be printed in the Minutes [See Reports S]- A motion to concur in the resolution of the Electoral Confer- ence of Laymen, with reference to the ordination of women, was laid on the table. The Committee on Nominations presented the following report

[See Nominations, page 4]. A. J. Russell offered the following resolution, which, on motion, was adopted

Resolved, That the pastors be, and are hereby, required to furnish to the Conference Missionary Treasurer, for publication in the Annual Min- utes of next year, the detailed report referred to in paragraphs 387 and 388 of the Discipline.

J. P. Force, Committee of Relief in the case of H. Hall, presented the following report

To the Bishop and Members of the Michigan Conference:

Report of Committee for relief of H. Hall: Whole amount subscribed $160 25 Paid in cash $94 75

On subscription . 65 50 $160 25 :

32 Michigan Annual Conference.

The Conference directed him to pay the cash to H. Hall, and to collect the unpaid subscriptions, and, as soon as collected, pay them to H. Hall.

J. P. Force offered the following resolution, which was adopted :

Whereas, We have heard with sorrow and regret the terrible misfor- tunes visited upon the church at Benton Harbor, in the destruction of their beautiful church edifice; therefore, Resolved, That we hereby extend to our brethren at Benton Harbor our hearty sympathy in their misfortune, and will ever pray the Great Head

of the Church of the Church to assist and bless them in all their effort to "arise and build."

J. H. McCarty, from the Centennial Committee, presented the

following report, which was adopted [See Reports T]. Bishop Scott entered and took the chair.

W. H. Brockway offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted by a rising vote

Resolved, That it affords us, as members of the Michigan Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, great satisfaction again to have had the presence and presidency of our beloved Bishop Scott at our present ses-

sion, who, though the senior in years, if not in his official position, has given us renewed enjoyment at the pleasant, impartial and entirely satis-

factory manner in which he has filled the chair and discharged the duties of his position; and to express the hope that he may yet be spared to visit us more than once during the years of the future.

Resolved, That this Conference hereby places on record its high appre-

ciation of the very courteous and handsome manner in which its members and friends have been entertained by the Church and citizens of Battle Creek, during the session of 1875, for which they have our hearty thanks. Resolved, That we also hereby tender our thanks to Brother Cooley, the pastor, for the patient and gentlemanly style in which we have been dis-

tributed, and our wishes and wants attended to.

S. N. Griffith presented the following resolution, which was

adopted :

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Conference be requested to make

every reasonable effort to secure a copy of all the minutes of the Michigan Annual Conference, and that members of the Conference who have duplicate or single copies of the earlier minutes which they are willing to Fortieth Session, i8~]§. 33 donate, be requested to send them to the Secretary, and that hereafter a copy of the minutes be annually filed with the papers of the Conference.

G. W. Hoag, appointed to receive the collections for the Epis- copal Fund, offered the following report, which was approved [See Reports W]. The Secretary of the Conference was directed to procure for use next year, sets of blanks as read by him, that should represent all the valuable statistics desired by the Conference. The Statistical Secretary made the following report [See Statis- tics]. A vote of thanks was given to the Secretaries for the faithful and accurate manner in which they had performed their duties. The minutes of the evening session were read and approved, and it was ordered that, after the usual devotional exercises and the reading of the appointments, the Conference adjourn. The two hundred and twenty-first hymn was read by Bishop Scott, and sung by the Conference. William H. Brockway led in prayer. The Bishop made a few closing remarks, and, in answer to Question 22—Where are the Preachers stationed ?— directed the Secretary to read the appointments. After which the doxology was sung. The benediction was pronounced by Bishop Scott, and the Fortieth Session of the Michigan Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at 10.17 p. m., was adjourned sine die. L. SCOTT, President. George B. Jocelyn, Secretary.

5 ISCIPLINAI\Y U UESTIONS,

Question 1. Have any entered this Conference by transfer or re-admission f

Answer. J. Boynton, from Kansas Conference; M. A. Daugherty,

from Detroit Conference; J. Marzolf, from the Evangelical Association of

Canada; J. W. Hulin, from the M. E. Church in Canada.

Question 2. Who are admitted on trial f

Answer. Amos M. Gould, James E. Bayliss, Chauncy Van Auken, William E Neulon, Robert H. Bready.

Question 3. Who remain on trial?

Answer. Lafayette Dodds, Wesley A. Hunsberger, Orrin B. Whit- more, James H. Thomas, William L. Tilden, Jonathan M. Whitney, John P. Williams.

Question 4. WJio are admitted into full connection f

Answer. Fred. N. Janes, J. W. Hallenbeck, James M. Robinson, Oramel E. Wightman, John J. McAllister, Edward A. Whitwam.

Question 5. Who are Deacons of the First Class f

Answer. Fred. N. Janes, John W. Hallenbeck, James M. Robinson,

Oramel E. Wightman, John J. McAllister, Edward A. Whitwam.

Question 6. Who are Deacons of the Second Class f

Answer. Martin V. Rork, A. D. Newton, Wm. R. Stinchcomb, Edward A. Tanner, M. D. Carrel, James M. Aiken, John W. Hollowell.

Question 7. Who have been elected and ordained Elders t

Answer. Wilbur I. Cogshall, D. W. Parsons, N. Saunders, George L. Mount, Duncan M. Ward, Augustus H. Gillett, Chas. A. Jacokea. Fortieth Session, 1875. 33

Question 8. Who are the Supernumerary Preachers?

Answer. T. H. Bignall, Wm. H. Brockway, W. W. Johnson; Joseph Jones, R Pengelly, J. Draper, W. A. Bronson, S. G. Blanchard.

Question 9. Who are the Superannuated Preachers ?

Answer. A. Billings, H. Morgan, L. Chatfield, J. T. Robe, G. A. Van

Horn, T. J. Congden, George W. Chapin, T. J. Hill, S Steele, D. S. Hav-

iland, A. Wakefield, J. H. Richards, J. W. Oawthorne, H Penfield, I. Ben-

nett, I. H. Skinner, J. H. Pitezel, W. F. Jenkins, B. F. Doughty, A. A. Dunton, J. W. Hollowell, Wm. M. Coplin, E. C. Chambers, L. M. Ben- nett.

Question 10. Was the character of each Preacher examined ?

Answer. It was.

Question 11. Have any located?

Answer. S. Snyder, H. H. Hulbert, A. J. Sensabaugh.

Question 12. Have any withdrawn ?

Answer. William Matthias.

Question 13. Have any been transferred, and to what Con- ference t

Answer. S. N. Griffith, to Wisconsin Conference; E. Treadgold, to Southern Illinois Conference; Myron A. Daugherty, to West Texas Con- ference.

Question 14. Have any been expelled?

Answer. Augustus W. Torrey.

Question 15. Have any died?

Answer. Benjamin Sabin, Wilson Gray. (See Memoirs.)

Question 16. What is the Statistical Report ?

Answer. See Statistical Tables.

Question 17. What are the claims upon the Conference fund ?

Answer. Six thousand seven hundred dollars. $6 Michigan Annual Conference.

Question 18. What has been received on the foregoing claim, and how has it been applied f

Answer. See report of Board of Stewards.

Question 19. Have any Local Preachers been ordained t

Answer. Deacons John R. Robinson, George Nada; Elder D. A. Ide.

Question 20. Are there any of our literary or theological institutions under the control and patronage of this Conference, and what is their condition?

Answer. See reports on Education and Ministerial Education.

Question 21. Who are the Conference Board of Church Extension f

Answer. See list of Conference Societies.

Question 22. Where are the Preachers stationed this year?

Answer.

ALBION DISTRICT—I. Taylor, P. E.

Albion—W. H. Perrine. Jackson—J. H. McCarty. Marshall—D. Engle. Battle Creek—L. H. Pearce. Marengo—C. G. Thomas. Homer—N. Fassett. Parma—C. C. Olds. Liberty—J. H. Tanner. Concord—E. Wigle. Hanover—T. H. Jacokes. Mosherville—A. L. Crittenden. Litchfield—A. Hunsberger. Tekonsha—G. C. Draper. Union City—S. L. Hamilton^ Leroy—A. M. Gould, P. O. address, Burlington—J. H. Ross. Battle Creek. Nashville—E. L. Kellogg. Bellevue—W. Riley. Olivet—T. Lyon. Penfleld— E. D. Young. Springport— S. M. Merritt. South Albion — Supplied by A. M. Tompkins—U. Mason. Fitch. Moscow—E. Marble. Albion College—Geo. B. Jocelyn, President; James Hopkins and R. C. Welch, Professors and members of Albion Quarterly Conference. Fortieth Session, 1875. 37

COLDWATER DISTRICT—A. J. Eldrkd, P. E.

Coldwater—I. Cogshall. Girard—Wm. M. Paddock. Allen—J. T. Iddings. Quincy and Algansee—G. L. Haight. Sturgis—J. Graham. Cambria—J. Clubine. Jonesville— G. L. Cole. Hillsdale— I. R. A. Wightman. North Adams—E. D. Bacon. Osseo—Supplied by S. George.

Bronson—J. E. White. Burr Oak—M. I. Smith. Gilead—F. N. Janes. Centieville—G. W. Tuthill. Constantine—H. Hall. Mottville—J. Webster. White Pigeon—L. P. Ferguson. Kinderhook—E. A. Tanner. Colon—T. T. George. Butler— Supplied by L. Jackson. North Batavia—F. Gage. Ransom—Supplied by D. A. Ide. Reading—C. H. Ellis. H. H. Hall, Missionary to China.

KALAMAZOO DISTRICT—H. C. Peck, P. E.

Kalamazoo—H. F. Spencer. Three Rivers—J. W. Miller.

Parkville—H. H. Parker. Mendon—Supplied by I. C. Abbott. Schoolcraft—J. White. Waukeshma—J. W. White. Athens—M. V. Rork. Ostemo—T. Clark. Mattawan—D. M. Ward. Galesburg—L. W. Earl. Augusta—W. Barrett. Bedford—A. E. Ketcham. Prairieville—J. Boynton. Richland—E. H. Day. Cooper—J. S. Valentine. Plainwell—J. H. Potts. Martin— G. W. Hoag. Otsego— C. T. VanAntwerp. Allegan—R. C. Crawford. Kendall's— S. S. Wilson. Bloomingdale— Supplied by J. F. Bangor—Supplied by Wm. Harper. Oivick. F. D. Hemenway, Professor in Gar- South Haven—E. S. McChesney. rett Biblical Institute, and mem- Douglass— S. P. Hewitt. ber of Kalamazoo Quarterly Con- ference.

NILES DISTRICT—J. W. Robinson, P. E.

Niles—W. J. Aldrich. Buchanan—A. J. Russell.

Dayton -F. I. Bell. New Buffalo -G. W. Gosling.

Bridgman— Supplied by A. B. Kel- St. Joseph—G. S. Barnes. logg. Benton Harbor—Wm. Prouty. Berrien Springs—N. Mount. Coloma—G. C. Elliott. Hartford— S. C. Woodard. Lawrence—A. T. Gray. Paw Paw—J. K. Stark. Lawton—J. P. Force.

Decatur—J. M. Aiken. Dowagiac—I. B. Tallman. :

j8 Michigan Annual Conference.

Pokagon—D. Burns. Silver Creek—N. M. Steele.

Keeler—E. H. Sparling. Cassopolis—J. W. H. Carlisle. La Grange—J. Hoyt. Jno. M. Reed, Corresponding Secre- Edwardsburg— G. S. Hicks. tary of Missionary Society and Marcellus—Supplied by M. Edie. member Niles Quarterly Con- ference.

GRAND RAPIDS DISTRICT-D. F. Barnes, P. E.

Grand Rapids Hastings— G. W. Sherman. Division street—T. F. Hildreth. Irving—M. Browning.

Second street— G. D. Lee. Middleville—J. Hulin. City Mission—J. A. Sprague. Alaska—T. Cleghorne. Ada—Supplied by Thomas. Rockford—E. Hayes. Cannon—B. H. Whitman. Cedar Springs—A. Rogers. Sparta—L. W. Calkins. Lisbon — Supplied by H. O. Law- Ravenna—Supplied by G. W. Mc rence. Laine. Lamont—C. H. Fisher. Coopersville Supplied by R. Mc- Spring Lake and Grand Haven—L. Ewing. Masters. Muskegon—C. L. Barnhart. Grandville— J. E. Bayliss. Berlin—0. B. Whitmore. Holland—F. Glass.

Ventura—Supplied by J. E. Blach- Byron Center—0. E. Wightman.

field. Wayland—L. Bathrick. Monterey—N. D. Marsh. Edgerton—Supplied by N. A. Baker.

IONIA DISTRICT—J. I. Buell, P. E.

Ionia—H. M. Joy. Greenville—A. R. Boggs. Greenville Circuit— Supplied. Portland—J. W. Reid. Lowell—S. P. Warner. Stanton—A. D. Newton. Saranac—A. J. Wheeler. Vergennes—J. Roberts. Woodland—N. Bray. Hubbardston—W. M. Ball. Orleans—M. D. Carrel. Palo-B. S. Mills. Lyons—G. E. Hollister. Orange—G. A. Phillips. Carson City— S. Kitzmiller. Danby and Sebewa—T. J. Spencer.

Muir—J. Hills. Pewamo—J. W. Hallenbeck. Bowne—Supplied by C. A. Warner. Westville—To be supplied. Sheridan and Bushnell—J. F. Wallace.

LANSING DISTRICT—F. B. Bangs, P. E. Lansing: Mason—A. A. Knappen. Central Church—E. Cooley, Jr. Charlotte—C. S. Fox. First Church—A. A. Rolfe. Eaton Rapids—Wm. DousL Fortieth Session, 1875. 39

Leslie—J. Gulick. Ovid— J. Hamilton. St. Johns—D. D. Gillett. St. Louis—H. D. Jordan. Vermontville—N. L. Brockway. Grand Ledge—J. R. Cadwell. Okemos—B. S. Pratt. DuPlain—D. C. Woodard. DeWitt—W. J. Swift. Bath— C. A. Jacokes. Chester—Supplied by H. P. Barker. Diamondale—E. A. Whitwam. Rives— Supplied by W. J. Minehen. Ithaca—C. VanAuken. Bengal—J. S. Harder. Breckenridge—To be supplied. Onondaga—B. W. Smith. Maple Rapids—T. J. Freeman.

BIG RAPIDS DISTRICT—H. P. Henderson, P. E.

Big Rapids—L. Tarr. Mount Pleasant—A. C. Beach.

Evart—N. Saunders. Pierson and Coral—W. I. Cogshall. Howard City Morley—D. O. Ball. Casenovia and Newaygo — R. H. Lakeview—J. Marzolf. Bready, with J. A. Barnes as Mill Brook—Supplied by Wood. supply. Reed City and Hersey—J. R. Oden Sand Lake — Supplied by H. Cog- and C. B. Youcher as supply. shall. Farwell—Geo. Donaldson. Alma-H. N. Hall. Ashton— Supplied by A. F. Linn. Sherman City—Supplied by A. G. Big Prairie—To be supplied. Wiggins. Elm Hall—J. H. Thomas, Isabella Indian Mission—Supplied by J. R. Robinson.

PENTWATER DISTRICT—L. M. Edmonds, P. E.

Pentwater— W. M. Colby. Hart—J. N. Dayton. Ludington—W. H. Sparling. Manistee—A. H. Gillett. Bear Lake—To be supplied. Victory—E. C. Chambers. Riverton and Indian Mission—L. J. Crystal and Indian Mission—D. W. Griffin. Parsons. Shelby—G. L. Mount. Whitehall and Montague— C. Chick. Benona—J. A. VanFleet. Fremont Center—C. H. Howe. Hesperia—To be supplied. Turin Lake—To be supplied. Frankport—Supplied by A. G. Par- Ferry—Supplied by J. Major. rish. Beaver—To be supplied.

GRAND TRAVERSE DISTRICT-A. P. Moors, P. E.

Traverse City—H. Worthington. Old Mission—D. R. Latham. Torch Lake—To be supplied. Norwood—W. A. Hunsberger. Almira and Inland—Supplied by Elk Rapids and Indian Mission—W. J. Hall. R. Stinchcomb. 40 Michigan Annual Conference.

South Arm—To be supplied. Glen Arbor—J. M. Whitney. Northport—J. J. McAllister. Cheboygan—W. H. Ware. Clam Lake—Lafayette Dodds. Sherman and Manton—J. M. Rob- Fyfe Lake—Supplied by N. Preston. inson. Charlevoix—W. L. Tilden. Charlevoix Indian Mission—John P. Spencer Creek and Marcelona—Sup- Williams. plied by O. S. Golden. Petoskey—To be supplied. Long Lake—Supplied by J. W. Fou- Northport Indian Mission—Supplied

chcr. by S. Steele. Mackinaw—To be supplied. Monroe Center—F. M. Deitz.

S. N. Griffith, transferred to Wis- E. Treadgold, transferred to South- consin Conference. era Illinois Conference. M. A. Daugherty, transferred to Wm. E. Newlon, transferred to In- West Texas Conference. dia Conference.

Question 23. When and where shall the next Conference be held t

Answer. Niles; time not given.

yiNNIYERSARY AND JDtHER jlxEF^CISES,

The morning prayer meetings at 7.30 were very profitable seasons to those who attended them.

Tuesday, September 7th, 1875.

At 7:30 p. m. the Preachers' Saving Fund Society met. There was no report from the Committee on Revision of By-Laws, and it was continued. The ordinary business of the session was trans- acted, and several new members received. :

Fortieth Session, i8j$. 4i

Wednesday, September 8th, 1875.

At 2:30 p. M. the anniversary of the Ladies and Pastors' Chris- tian Union was held, L. H. Pearce, presiding. After the usual devotional exercises, the President, L. H. Pearce, who has tested the power of the organization in his own pastoral work, gave his decided approval to the useful workings of the society.

The Secretary was unable to make a report, because the societies under this organization had failed to report to her. She requested that secretaries of the local societies report to her at least semi-annually, that she may be enabled to make her report to the Conference society. Mrs. F. D. York, of Wayne, Detroit Conference, spoke of the need of the masses outside of church influence, and the need christian women have to cultivate their own graces and usefulness. Rev. Wm. Taylor, of India, then talked in his own way of woman's part in telling the story of the Cross.

The addresses altogether brought out these facts

1. Great masses of the people are unreached by the church.

2. Great masses of the church are poor spiritually for lack of work for the church.

3. None can bring together this work and the workers as can the pastor.

4. We have no organization better for this purpose than the Ladies and Pastors' Christian Union.

5. It is our duty to try it.

The officers of last year were re-elected. [See Conference Soc, page 3.] MRS. MARY T. LATHROP, Secretary.

At 7:30 p, M. occurred the anniversary exercises of the Freed- men's Aid Society. Addresses were delivered by D. Rutledge, agent, and others.

6 42 Michigan Annual Conference.

Thursday, September 9th, 1875.

At 2:30 p. m. was held a Temperance anniversary. S. N. Grif- fith delivered the sermon.

At 7.30 p. m. George B. Jocelyn preached the memorial dis- course of the Centenary of American Independence. Text, Isaiah xxxiii, 20-22.

Fkiday, September 10th, 1875.

At 2.30 p. m. C. C. Olds preached the annual Missionary sermon. Immediately after the sermon occurred the annual meeting, and

the officers were elected. [See Conference Soc, page 3.] At 4 p. m. the Historical Society met, W. H. Brockway, Presi- dent, in the chair.

In the absence of its Secretary, J. Gulick was chosen Secretary pro tern.

I. Bennett read a paper on " Early Historical Reminiscences in

Michigan from 1836 to 1840," and presented the paper to be filed

among the records of the society. A. Billings and W. H. Brockway were requested to prepare papers to be read at the next anniversary of the society.

The officers of the society were instructed to secure an evening service during the next Conference.

All members of the society were requested to write papers for the society autobiographical in character, or embracing other historical matter. The young men were requested to keep a diary.

[For officers, see page 3.]

J. W. ROBINSON, Secretary.

At 7.30 P. m. the Michigan Conference Board of Church Exten- sion held its anniversary, T. F. Hildreth presiding.

A. J. Kynett, Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Church Extension, delivered an address, after which a collection was taken up. [See Conference Soc, page 3, for officers.] :

Fortieth Session, 1873. 43

Saturday, September 11th, 1875.

At 2.30 p. m. occurred the anniversary of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. Addresses were delivered by Miss Rulison and others.

At 7.30 p. M. the Sunday School Society held its anniversary,

S. N. Griffith, Vice-President of the S. S. Union, in the chair. After singing, J. Graham led in prayer. A scripture lesson was then read and another hymn was sung. The Secretary and Treasurer made their reports. [See Statis- tics.]

Addresses, interspersed with singing, were made by E. S.

McChesney, of South Haven ; Mrs. L. C. York, of Wayne ; J. M. Arnold, Of Detroit Conference, and Mrs. Mary T. Lathrop, of

Jackson. [See page 3 for officers.]

Sunday, September 12th, 1875.

The various evangelical pulpits of the city were placed at the disposal of the Conference for the Sunday services, and assign- ments were made to them. The services at the M. E. church were as follows

At 9.30 a. m. Conference love feast, led by A. Billings. At 10.30 a. m. Bishop Scott preached upon the " Gift of Power," and ordained the deacons.

At 2.30 p. m. was held a memorial service. J. H. Pitezel read a memoir of B. Sabin ; T. J. Congdon one of W. Gray ; J. H.

Potts one of Mrs. G. A. VanHorn ; and one of Mrs. F. B. Bangs. Several ministers made remarks indicative of the respect in which the deceased were held. [See Reports,

Memoirs A, B, 0, D.] At 4 p. m. Bishop Scott, assisted by five Elders, ordained the Elders.

At 7.30 p. m. the Missionary anniversary was held. Addresses

were delivered by J. H. McCarty and J. M. Reid, Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Society.

The Treasurer made a report. [See Statistics.]

Monday, September 13th, 1875,

At 2.30 p. m. T. F. Hildreth preached from Matthew xvii, 20. ;

EPORTS O OMMITTEES.

[A.] MEMOIE OP EEV. BENJAMIN SABIN.

The duty assigned us is mournfully pleasurable, of giving, in a brief record, an imperfect testimonial of a long, laborious and useful life, ended on earth and begun in heaven. Rev. Benjamin Sabin, the subject of this memoir, was born in Thomp- son, Windham County, Connecticut, March 1st, A. D. 1790. November 24th, 1807, under the ministry of Rev. Elijah R. Sabin, he was convicted of sin, and, to use his own language, "converted by the power of God, u from sin to holiness, December 9th" of the same year, sanctified by the Holy Ghost September 0th, 1808; called of God, and licensed to exhort and preach, on Pomfret Circuit, New London District, New England Conference, by Rev. Elijah Hedding, P. E., August 20th, 1809, and admitted into the New England Conference, held at AVinchester, N. H., June 24th, 1810." A wonderful record for three years.

The merest epitome of his eventful ministerial life is a speaking record of toil and glorious triumph. In 1810 he traveled Salsbury, Poplin and Salem, Boston District, with Asa Kent and John Jewett, George Picker-

ing, P. E. ; 1811, New London; 1812, ordained Deacon, and appointed to Providence and Smithfield; 1813, Tolland; 1814, ordained Elder, and returned to Tolland*; 1815, Ashburnham; 1816, Stanstead, Lower Can- ada, Vermont District; 1817, Tolland, New London District; 1818, Pom- fret; 1819, Warwick; 1820, located on account of health, and moved to Ontario, N. Y. Ontario, with Thomas Wright, Abner Chase, P. E. ; 1821, 1822, readmitted into the Genesee Conference, held at Phelps, Ontario County, N. Y., and appointed to Canisteo; 1823-4, Lyons; 1825, Ontario; 1826-7, Ithica; 1828, Lyons; 1829, Victor and Mendon; then supernumerary;! 1830, made effective, and stationed at Ontario and Palmyra^

Note—The discrepaacies are between the printed minutes and Father Sabin's record as here. * Father Sabin says "Mansfield." t Father Sabin says "Ontario."

t Victor.

/ Fortieth Session, 1875. 45

1831, Victor and Mendon;* 1832, Lyons; 1833, Seneca, with Rev. Ezra Cole, now of venerable years at Three Rivers, Mich.; 1834, Sodus; 1835, Ridgeway and Medina; 1836, located and moved to Michigan, partly to better his temporal circumstances, but his main and cherished motive was to glorify God in the advance of the Redeemer's kingdom. With the love of Christ, "as a fire shut up in his bones," he was ever looking out to find new fields of usefulness. After adjusting his temporal matters, he traveled under the Elder, on the Spring Arbor Circuit, for nearly three years. In 1839 he was admitted into the Michigan Conference, and stationed at Marshall; 1840, Coldwater.f In 1841-2 Father Sabin was associated with the writer, as a venerable and genial colleague, on the Homer Circuit, then a large and laborious charge, well and ably fulfilling his sacred trust. The next year, 1842, he assisted Rev. J. Erchenbrack, on the Coldwater Circuit. In 1843 he superannuated; 1844, effective, and traveled Bellevue; 1845, superannuated; 1850, traveled Burlington under the Elder; 1853, effective, and traveled Napoleon; 1854, "superannuated," as he says, " too deaf to do more." But, after thus retiring from the effective ranks, he continued, with great acceptability and usefulness, to preach and to work until a brief period before his death. July 25th, 1870, he makes this record: "It is now sixteen years since I came home a superannuated minister of the the Methodist Episcopal Church, over eighty years of age, to go out and in before the flock of Christ no more. Done! But suffered to live, look on and rejoice in the wonders of redeeming love; but too deaf to hear scarcely any at all, and too infirm to preach or be from home but very little; with all the failings of old age, as described in Ecclesiastes, and must soon go to my long home. But thanks to my Heavenly Father for His kind care and sufficient grace, from day to day. It is a blessing yet to live, and to suffer His divine will; to testify to the Church and the world of His abundant grace in saving and sustaining His most unworthy

mortal in his declining days. All glory to His name ! Amen." His record shows that he traveled in all twenty-nine years, professed religion sixty-six years, two months and eight days, and for sixty-five years preached the glorious Gospel. Thus serving his generation, according to the will of God, at his quiet home near the village of Homer, Mich., he passed serenely to his better home in the skies, February 17th, 1875, lacking -a few days of eighty-five years of age. His death, as his life, was a glorious triumph in the midst of sorrowing friends.

• Ontario. t Father Sabin says "Battle Creek and Bellevue." 46 Michigan Annual Conference.

In retrospecting this long and chequered life, we are reminded of the large fields, and of the toil, sacrifice and suffering in this pioneer work, in the far East, in Canada, in Western New York and in Michigan. But these were glorious successes. In 1826-7, when on Ithica Circuit, he says, "one thousand were thought to be converted." But in the midst of this wonderful outpouring of the Spirit, Mr. Sabin was called to bury his only child, a lad of eight years. And June 10th, 1825, he says: "My dear wife, with the last born son, made her escape from this valley of tears." Soon after, Mr. Sabin married Mrs. Calista Swift, his now stricken and bereaved companion, who by a previous marriage had two children, one of whom, Mrs. S. Eggleston, of Grand Rapids, Mich., still survives.

Abner, only son of Father Sabin by his last wife, still lives in Homer. The home of this venerable man of God, near the beautiful village of Homer, has been for many years the delightful and hospitable retreat for the itinerant.

In so brief a paper it would be difficult to give a life-like portrait of the personel of Mr. Sabin. His figure was tall and commanding, crowned with a noble brow. His open and expressive countenance was always lit up with a smile of cheerfulness. His lips were the expression of both firmness and benevolence. With an elastic frame and great powers of endurance, he developed that energy and force so striking and character-

istic.

His religion was of the higher type. It was piety without cant. He professed and exemplified the blessing of holiness. The renovating power

of divine grace permeated his very being, and mingled gracefully with all his acts. With all his business, he could at any time put in a word for

Jesus. But so far from his piety having the cast of moroseness, it was a well-spring of joy—a bubbling fountain of happiness. As a preacher, Mr. Sabin was thoroughly evangelical, but practical. He was "full of faith and the Holy Ghost," and "mighty in the Scrip-

tures." Free from the ruts of conventionalities, his sermons were origi- nal and incisive, full of energy and power, and sparkling with his ready wit and power of illustration. As in apostolic days, he never failed to enforce truth with lessons of personal experience. In community, he was the patriotic citizen. In his domestic relations he possessed, in an eminent degree, those social qualities which made his presence a delight. And here, parental government, blending with love,

and reciprocated by filial affection and cheerful obedience, made his home the centre of order, and the type of a model Christian home, where the watch-word was, " As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Fortieth Session, 1875. 47

In short, we have here a beautiful example of true manhood, of the Christian, the husband and father, the genial neighbor and friend, and the devoted minister of Christ. As Wesley prayed, and so many pray now, years ago, no doubt, Father Sabin may have indulged hope that he might:

" His body with his charge lay down, And cease at once to work and live."

But it were cowardly in the Christian, if need be, not to be willing to suffer, as well as do, the will of God. He did " glory in tribulation." Certainly, for more than thirty-four years, as we know, his serious and increasing want of hearing occasioned him a sore conflict. But we have already his triumphant utterances, when he felt that his work was done, and he was simply to witness for Christ, and with his eyes behold the rising and spreading glory of the cross. Thus, with the ripeness of a golden fruitage, was our venerable father gathered home.

" Servant of God, well done, Thy glorious warfare's past, The battle's fought, the victory won, And thou art crowned at last."

[B.]

MEMOIR OP WILSON GRAY.

Rev. Wilson Gray, member of Michigan Conference, died in San Jose, Cal., December 19th, 1874- He was born of Scotch and English parent- age, in Armagh, Ireland, October 1st, 1835; came to New York at the age of fifteen; was converted at Oswego, N. Y., in 1856, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. From the hour of his conversion, he regarded the ministry as his life work. The same year he came to Chi- cago, and soon after became a student in the Racine High School, where he remained three years. In the spring of 1860 he entered the Garrett Biblical Institute, where he graduated in 1863, and was received on trial in the Michigan Annual Con- ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and appointed to Allen charge. In January following he was married to Mrs. Grace Devendorf, who became an active co-worker with him in the work of the ministry. His next appointments were North Adams, White Pigeon, Liberty and Belle- vue. Here his health failed, but, hoping to recover by going farther north, he was appointed to Northport; but in May following he was 48 Michigan Annual Conference.

obliged to resign his work, and he returned to Bellevue, thinking rest might restore him. Hoping to obtain relief by change and travel, he took a trip to Lake Superior and Minnesota, also to Europe, visiting his native

home. He returned disappointed in his hope of recovery. It became

evident that consumption had seized him for its prey. In 1870 he moved to Tennessee, where he spent two years. As a last resort, he moved to the Pacific Coast, and settled in San Jose, Cal. But all his efforts failed and he slowly went down to the grave. For one year he was obliged to keep his bed the most of the time; yet he was hopeful, often saying, "I don't think my work is done." One week before he died, Jesus came very near; he seemed so gentle, calm and peaceful.

Among his last words were: " Jesus is mine; He will never leave or for- sake me." He died blessing his wife for her long and tender care of him in all these years of suffering. He possessed great energy and perseverance; a close student, clear in perception and vigorous in thought. His work is done, and he has entered into rest.

[0.]

MEMOIR 0? MRS. CATHARINE H. BANGS.

Mrs. Catharine H. Bangs was born in Lockport, N. Y., March 1st, 1823. She was the daughter of Dr. Ezekiel and Fannie Webb, highly respected members of the Society of Friends. From the relation of her parents to the Society of Friends, the daughter remained by birthright a member of that Society until the age of sixteen, when, in 1839, she was converted, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. Miss Webb was married to her now bereaved husband, Rev. F. B. Bangs, January 6th, 1842, and thus entered into the relation and work, and assumed the duties of the wife of an itinerant Methodist preacher. In this relation and work she continued until her death, which occurred July 5th, 1875. She thus gave to the Church and Christianity the care and responsibility of a pastor's wife for nearly thirty-three years of mingled suffering and labor. The life of Sister Bangs was for many years one of great suffering, culminating in the form of dropsy of the chest, and eight weeks of agony terrible in its presence and power. Sister

Bangs, during the years of her itinerant life, maintained a quiet, undemon- strative, but uniform and cheerful, Christian character, and endured the toil, sacrifice and suffering of all these years with great cheerfulness and patience. Throughout the suffering of her final and fatal sickness, her mind was clear and cloudless, her heart hopeful, trusting quietly, steadily in Jesus. Fortieth Session, 1875. 49

Thus lived and suffered, toiled and watched, a loving wife, a kind, tender mother, until the release came, and a glad welcome was given to her home on high. To her husband and children there remains the legacy of her precious memory; to the Church the fruit and influence of her

Christian life; to all, the priceless advantage and power of an added example, illustrating the divine all-sufficiency of that redemption which is alone through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[DO

MEXOIR OF MBS. MA.ETHA E. VAN HORN."

Mrs. Martha Elizabeth Van Horn was born in the State of New Jersey, on the 24th day of March, 1824. She was converted in her fifteenth year, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church On the 14tli day of March, 1840, she was married to Rev. G. A. Van Horn, and, in the fall of 1853, moved with him to Michigan, residing in several local- ities, while engaged with him in the work of the itinerant ministry, until their final settlement in Plainwell, in the fall of 1868 On Monday, the

5th day of July, 1875, she was taken suddenly ill with dysentery, rapidly declining until a quarter to ten o'clock a. m., Tuesday, the 13th, when quietly and peacefully her emancipated spirit returned to God who gave it. Her funeral was held in the Methodist Episcopal church in Plainwell, on Wednesday, July 14th.

Such is a brief outline of the earthly career so suddenly terminated. Almost before we thought of the possibility of death, to one so strong, the fatal malady had done its work, and the solemn funeral bell tolled the exit of her vigorous life. In Sister Van Horn were combined a good native talent and a fair education. These she used to good effect in the Church, the Sunday school and the home She was interesting in the social circle. Her ease of bear- ing and fluency of conversation invariably gathered friends around her. She was energetic in the prosecution of her plans, and realized the highest degree of satisfaction when her labors were successful. She was a woman of positive convictions and a clearly defined sense of right, con- sequently was not easily moved from her purposes, nor hopelessly tossed about by every wind of new doctrine. In associated life she was ready to give a reason for her words and deeds, and, when occasion required it, did not hesitate to require an explanation for the conduct of others. She held her friends in high esteem, and entwined around those she loved the cords of the most tender affection. Separation from them, therefore, :

$o Michigan Annual Conference.

took the deeper hold upon her nature, and was the more difficult to bear. The death of Mattie, her adopted daughter, in March a year ago, was a

blow under which she staggered to the last, and we have no means of

estimating the extent to which her " will to live " yielded to its influence. She seemed to have an impression that Mattie's death was an omen of

solemn occurrences, and early in her illness she referred to it as an event

by which the Lord had more fully prepared her for His will. Indeed it

did produce a marked change in her life. The graces which adorn char-

acter were more fully developed by it, and the sweet spirit of our holy religion more beautifully exemplified. She bore her sufferings with patience, and expressed entire resignation

to the will of God. She said she "desired to live, but did not fear to die." To her, death was a dethroned monarch. His sceptre had long

been broken. When she confronted him at last, it was without the shadow of doubt or the least emotion of terror. She called her husband to her bedside, and spoke of her departure with such calmness as one feels when preparing for a brief journey. Finally the struggle came, but was quickly ended. The death-fiend was

repulsed and fled away, while the victor shouted, " O death, where is thy sting?" The good-bye kiss was given, and gradually and painlessly, step by step, she was eased down into the waiting chariot, and then from the ties of earth she was borne to the embrace of glorified loved ones and the bosom of God. " Her sufferings ended with the day, Yet lived she at its close, And breathed the long, long night away In statue-like repose ; \ But when the sun, in all his state, Illumed the eastern skies, She passed through glory's morning gate, And walked in Paradise."

Battle Creek, September 10, 1875.

[E.] ON CHURCH TENURES.

To the Bishop and Members of the Michigan Annual Conference Dear Fathers and Brethren—Your Committee on Church Tenures beg leave to submit the following report:

From examinations personally made, as well as from reported cases, it is evident that the titles of very much of the church property within our Fortieth Session, 1875. 51 bounds are very precarious. If judicially investigated, in a majority of instances, the fact that sister churches share our calamity in equal degree, and the charitable judgment of the courts would be our only grounds of confidence. Delects in church holdings are manifold. Sometimes corporations of long standing, and administering large properties, are found to have no legal validity. Either they have originally failed to acquire it, or by defective administration it has wholly lapsed. Sometimes defective papers—papers that cannot pass title, or papers that do not even assume to pass it to the church— are relied upon. Still another class of defects has been noticed. Organizations having no legal status have acquired a "quasi" title to and possession of property, and administered the same without question for a series of years. At last these organic defects are discovered and remedied. But here the questions start, and become paramount: Was the title of the former defective organization of any legal value? and, Can the perfected corporation succeed to and hold the " possessions" of the former and defunct one? If not, then what steps are necessary to cure the defects and enable the perfected corporation to carry property rights into perpetuity?

Other defects equally radical might be stated, but these are quite sufficient for illustration—all that is here intended. It will be seen at once that these are bottom questions, involving the whole of the nature, method and legality of our church holdings; and also, and as certainly, all of remedy of defective holdings; and requiring for their settlement an exhaustive knowledge of the law and practice covering the questions involved. Vested rights can neither be originally obtained, nor perpetu- ated, nor voided, except by prescriptive methods. Good intentions, good endeavors of good men, for ends essentially good, cannot avail. And it is equally true that what is almost done or imperfectly done is not done at all.

For the proper adjustment of such questions it is also necessary that the full confidence of all parties be secured. The church cannot afford, as communities cannot, to be agitated by doubts at such points. Wise remedies for all that we deplore, and commanding general confidence, is our present necessity.

Your committee have felt this, some of them for years, and earnestly faithfully and persistently labored to this end, and until quite recently we had hoped that ere this such advice could be given as would command the widest confidence and aid in the adjustment of the most difficult cases. None can regret more than they that in this hope they are entirely disappointed. With some hesitation, they recommend as follows: $2 Michigan Annual Conference.

1st. That a hand-book containing a compilation of the laws governing church corporations and tenures, and that relate to the administration of church properties, with such "forms" and suggestions as will enable

administrators to comply with, and carry out the provisions of the law, is desirable. 2d A continuance of the Committee on Church Tenures. 3d. That all Presiding Elders, Pastors and others be requested to address to such committee at once any questions either organic or administrative, as may be deemed worthy of consideration, or require adjustment.

4th. That the committee be instructed to perfect its report at the earli-

est practicable day.

All of which is respectfully submitted. D. D. GILLETT, A. A. KNAPPEN,

I. COGSHALL, Committee.

[P.]

ON TOBACCO.

One of the fearful evils of the day is the use of tobacco, and mankind is coming to see it more and more every year. The time was when men drank without compunction of conscience. Even ministers of a former generation have been carried home from funerals, weddings and social gatherings, by self-appointed committees, and the whole thing was looked upon by the world as a good joke on the parson. But that day has passed away. Let any protestant minister of the Lord Jesus, in this nation and age of light, be guilty of so grave an offense, and the whole world utters

its rebuke in words of no dubious import. Then it was a "sin not unto

death;" now it strikes at the very life of any man, not only in fact, but in the judgment of people generally.

Tiie use of tobacco in one sense is not so glaring an evil as the use of

the common intoxicating beverages of the day but in another sense it is.

Tobacco will not produce "emotional insanity," but it is a cause of

insansity. The use of narcotic stimulants, and especially tobacco, is the

source of numerous nervous disorders. In France it has been ascertained

by statistics, and " figures won't lie " that insanity has kept almost exact ratio with the governmental income duty on the weed. The same isjruo of its use in our own beloved land. Fortieth Session, i8jj. 53

The substance, ultimate in its nature, called nicotine, which answers to the alcoholic element in liquors, enters all the tissues of the body, and, as a matter of course, determines more largely to those organs where the blood is most abundant, as the blood in the body is simply the canal system which carries the freights. Hence the brain becomes a receptacle of nicotine, and to saturate that delicate organ with a foreign element of this kind is in the end a barrier to all intellectual and moral excellence. Its use, as an almost invariable result, impairs the memory, perverts the judgment and benumbs the moral sensibilities, laying the foundation for nervous deraugements of all kinds, insanity and death. It is, indeed, only drunkenness in another form, with an added filthiness, which, however tolerated in a ruder age, now renders a man's presence in a degree offensive to refined and cultivated society. It is an evil which is not limited to the individual victim of the appetite, but it enters the blood, and sends its blasting, withering power down along the generations, and children are born into the world, with a sad inheritance which only illus- trates the text which says, " The iniquities of the fathers are visited upon the children." We have sympathy for the old men who have for years been victimized, until it is to them a " second nature," and can only wish they might be able to cast the evil aside, but for our strong young men, with will power unimpaired, the continuance of such a stimulant is reprehensible in the very highest degree. No man can stand up before a congregation of enlightened people and preach temperance, who uses tobacco in any form whatever, and at the same time feel the approval of his own heart—and that self-approval is the source of great power. A pastoral visit, when the preacher must hoist the window or open the door several times in order to eject the filthy saliva, is often neutralized by such habit. As ministers of the Lord Jesus, we must come before the world with clean hands, clean lips, clean, pure breath, as well as clean hearts, else we are not as holy as we should be in the sight of God and man. Let our motto be total abstinence from all tobacco, as well as from all alcoholic drinks. Therefore,

Resolved, That we cease not, always and everywhere, to teach the people, both young and old, by precept and by example, of the great evils, financially, morally, intellectually and socially, which grow out of its use. j. h. Mccarty. R. C. CRAWFORD. 54 Michigan Annual Conference.

ON MINISTERIAL EDUCATION.

Your committee submit the following report on the subject assigned it:

1. We are firm in the faith that God, by the Holy Spirit and the voice of His Church, calls men to the special life-work of preaching the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. We as firmly believe that this divine call to the work of a Christian

minister, is not in itself the only and sufficient preparation for successful

labor, but that it is both an inspiration and an authority to use all diligence to carefully train both the mind and heart for the work of saving

souls.

3. In this divine call to preach the gospel, is also included a call to close, patient and persistent study—that training of the mind in thought and investigation, without which, however pure the heart may be, no man can be well fitted for the Church's posts of duty and danger.

4. Mental indolence and spiritual power cannot exist together, and, hence, he who has no appetite for mental labor may look with just sus- picion on his call to preach.

5. The kind of work to be done, and the magnitude of the undertak-

ing, suggest the necessity of the most careful preparation, and, as all the

fields of truth are open to the Christian minister, God and duty call him to seek the highest mental and moral culture.

6. The foes of Christ are already encamped on every field of thought, challenging the Church to the combats of truth, and how can the Christ-

ian minister enter the lists against them without the most careful training in wielding the weapons of defense.

7. The cause of Christ is worthy of and demands skilled laborers— men

whose hearts are all aglow wuth the love of souls, and whose brains are inspired with a holy zeal to know the truth. 8. Hence, we should guard the gate-ways to our Conferences with a jealous care, to see that none shall enter who will not fully consecrate both the head and the heart to the work of .the Church.

9. Neither profound convictions of duty, the most clear and positive personal experience, nor the most intense zeal to enter upon the work of the ministry, should be substituted for that mental discipline and intellectual culture without which no man can meet the demands of the present age.

10. It is a fearful fact that poverty has driven many devoted young

men, who felt themselves called to preach the gospel, either into secular Fortieth Session, iSjj, 55 pursuits, or prematurely to enter the work of the ministry with the con- sciousness that they were illy fitted for its responsibilities.

11. We therefore owe it to these young men, and also to the interests of the Church in her future work, to urge upon our people the importance of making some more extensive and permanent provisions by which to answer these demands.

12. Hence we recommend the following resolutions:

Resolved, That, in view of the great importance of a thorough preparation for the office and work of a Christian minister, we will, as pastors, earnestly and thoroughly lay before our people the educational interests of the Church, and seek to secure liberal donations for the same. Resolved, That we are highly gratified with the culture and piety which characterize our educational institutions, and we urge upon our young men who feel themselves called of God to preach the gospel, to avail themselves, as far as possible, of their advantages.

T. F. HILDRETH.

I. COGSHALL.

J. H. POTTS.

[HJ

REPORT OP THE COMMITTEE ON MISSIONS.

Battle Cheek, September 14, 1875. To the Michigan Conference :

The sum appropriated to the domestic missions in this Conference is $2,250, of which we recommend the following distribution:

Niles District—Benton Harbor, $30— total, $30. Grand R'ipids District — Grand Rapids City Mission, $135; Holland, $120 -total, $255. Ionia District—Lowell, $45; Muir, $45—total, $90.

Big Rapids District—The District, Millbrook, ; Reed City, $270 ; $50 $50; Sherman City, $50; Farwell, $50; Morley, $65; Sand Lake, $50— total, $585. Pentwater District— The District, $282 Pcntwater, Whitehall, ; $250 ; $50 -total, $582. Grand Traverse District— The District, $270; Traverse City, $200; Old Mission, $88; Charlevoix, $50; Clam Lake, $50; Northport, $50—total, $708. Total in all the Districts, $2,250.

The amount appropriated to the Indian Missions within this Conference is $900, of which we recommend the following distribution: j6 Michigan Annual Conference.

Big Rapids District—The District, $100; Isabella Indian Mission, $200 —total, $300. Pentwater District—The District, $100; Crystal, $100; Riverton, $100— total, $300. Grand Traverse District—The District, $100; Charlevoix Indian Mission, $100; Elk Rapids Indian Mission, $50; Northport Indian Mission, $50— total, $300. Total for Domestic and Indian Missions, $3,150.

H. C. PECK, Secretary.

I concur in the above appropriations. L. SCOTT.

[I]

ON EDUCATION.

We reaffirm that our devotion to the cause of education is undimin- ished; that we have an abiding interest in the prosperity of our school

system in the State, embracing the district, the high and normal schools, and the University of Michigan; that we have interests to be subserved in

these schools which we will, as far as practicable, guard with godly, jeal-

ous care, recognizing not only t7ie fact of their existence by the law of the State, but our duty, as citizens and patrons, to see that the management of them shall not antagonize the moral and religious sentiment of a Christ-

ian people Our system of State education is a great fact which we can-

not ignore; our boys and girls must be instructed in its schools; we can-

not, if we would, turn them from the halls of the University, from its ample libraries, museums, laboratories, cabinets, and learned faculties;

and our duty as a Christian people is to use our moral and political power to save them from the corrupting influences of the age, so that they shall be no less the conservators of a Christian civilization, than they now are an educating force in the State. But, as Methodists, we especially commend Methodist schools and colleges, and, as far as practicable, we will give our influence to increase their power.

Albion College is our college, and, if ours, it has its demands upon us that cannot be met without a hearty recognition of this claim, in corresponding efforts to enlarge her endowments, library, museum and labora-

tory, and fill her halls with students from the families of our parishioners. Such influences as these, used in the interest of Albion College, will put her upon a plane of extended and perpetual influences for good in science, letters and religion. We learn from the report of the Board of Trustees, Fortieth Session, 1875. 57

that the faculty has been strengthened by the election of two Christian gentlemen, Professors Merriman and Moses, to chairs in the college, who bring with them the reputation of ripe scholarship and manly character that well deserves the respect of a Christian public. We congratulate the trustees and faculty for the wisdom and prudence exhibited in administering college affairs the last academic year. What Albion College now

needs is rest—to be carefully and considerately nursed by her friends, and

let alone by her enemies; and, for the prosperky of Christian education,

let the Conferences, trustees, faculty and students talk up her interests, and pray for her continued prosperity. Many young men and women have reason to thank God for Albion

College, not only for the literary and scientific advantages it has afforded them, but for the Christian privileges which have strengthened believers in Christ, and awakened the unbelieving and brought them into his fold. Your committee will assume the responsibilty of making a suggestion in reference to the character of the men that should be elected as trustees of the college. All will accede the question that they should be practical men, wise men, in some particulars scholarly men, good and true men, in sympathy and harmony with the educator; and of this latter class there should be enough in number to act as a conservative element between the financial questions of the board on the one hand, and the wants and demands of the faculty on the other. Harmony between the two boards

is indispensable to prosperity in a college, and this harmony will be exhibited just in proportion to the highly cultivated character of the members occupying positions in the faculty and board of trustees.

The annual report of the board of trustees to the Conference is, in our judgment, a document of sufficient importance to the Church and friends

of education to warrant its publication in a cheap form for distribution

among the people; if not the entire document, so much of it as relates to receipts and disbursements of funds, the condition of endowments, and the recommendations of the board in reference to appropriations for

library, apparatus, museums, etc. The report is too voluminous for our minutes, and too valuable to slumber in the archives of the Conference.

It is proper, however, for us to say that the report is clear, exhaustive and

complete, carefully delineating the work completed the last academic year, containing estimates and recommendations for the next.

It is a matter of sincere regret that so few of the visitors to the college, appointed by the Conferences, ever attend either the examinations or anniversary exercises. From the report of the trustees, we learn that but two from Detroit Conference, and one from ours, visited officially the institution. We are glad to be reckoned among the patronizing Conferences of the

' Garrett Biblical Institute and the North-western University. 8 38 Michigan Annual Conference.

1. We recommend the appointment of the Rev. J. H. McCarty, D. D., as a visitor to the Garrett Biblical Institute.

2. We recommend that the Rev. D. F. Barnes be appointed as trustee to the North-western University. 3. We recommend, also, that the Conference reelect Rev. W. H. Brock way a trustee of Albion College, and that James W. Sheldon be elected in the place of O. Chas. Gale, whose term expires with this session of the Conference.

4. We recommend the appointment of the following, as visitors to

Albion College, viz: Revs. A. R. Boggs, Geo. S. Barnes and H. F. Spencer. We would report the collections for education as amounting to eighty-

two dollars and thirteen cents, and ask for instruction as to its disposition.

5. Your committee, however, would suggest that it be ordered paid to the Treasurer of Albion College, and placed to the credit of one of the Library Funds.

All of which is respectfully submitted. C. C. OLDS, Chairman.

[J.]

STEWARDS' REPORT.

The amount estimated to pay the claims of Superannuated Preachers, and Widows and Orphans of deceased Preachers, is $6,700. The following amounts have been collected:

From Circuits and Stations $1,917 29 Conference Collection 82 02 Chartered Fund 30 00 Interest on Parkhurst Fund 26 50

Total $2,055 81

It has been distributed as follows (the names in parenthesis indicate to whom the draft was paid): I. Bennett (self), $121.15; J. T. Robe (self),

$90.84; J. H. Pitezel (self), $121.15; T. J. Congdon (self), $60.57; G. W.

Chapin (H. C. Peck), $30.28; L. Chatfield (J. W. Reid), $30.28; W. F.

Jenkins (J. I. Buell), $60.57; A. Billings (W. H. Brockway), $121.15; J. W. Cawthorne (self), $30.28; A. Wakefield (L. Masters), $60.57; Charles

Hoag's Child (I. Taylor), $15.14; S. Steele (self), $121.15; H. Penfield (I.

Cogshall), $60.57; B. F. Doughty (self), $121.15; A. A. Dunton (A. J.

Eldred), $60.57; I. H. Skinner (J. W. Robinson), $60.57; J. S. Valentine (S. S. Wilson), $60.57; Mrs. W. C. Comfort (S. N. Griffith), $30.28; Mrs. Fortieth Session, 1875. 59

J. L. Child (L. W. Calkins), $47.07; Mrs. S. Bradley (H. P. Henderson), $62.22; Mary Brakeman (H. C. Peck), $92.49; Mrs. E. Jennings (self),

$62.22; Mrs. G. Bignall (J. I. Buell), $62.22; Mrs. R Sapp (D. F. Barnes),

$77.36; Mrs. E. J. Austin (D. W. Parsons), $77.36; Mrs. M. E. McAllister (W H. Brockway), $62.22; Mrs. S. Staples (W. H. Brockway), $62.22; Mrs.

G. L. Gilbert (S. P. Warner, $33 of it by him to be used to pay the funeral expenses of her deceased husband), $47.07; Mrs. W. McKnight (W. M. Colby), $1.65; Mrs. M. B. Camburn (W. H. Brockway), $1.65; Mrs. E. Beard (L. M. Edmonds), $62 22; Mrs. W. Gray (T. J. Congdon), $31.93.

[K.]

ON PERIODICALS.

Periodicals are chief among the signs of the times. The daily press, " new every morning and renewed unto us every evening," lightens and sometimes darkens with the day the thought of the world. The weeklies, monthlies and quarterlies come to us as regularly as the roll of the weeks —the appearances of the moon or the return of the seasons—all the year round. The eye has now become the competitor of the ear, and the thunder of the press the rival of the orator. If less thrilling than the eloquence of the living voice, its appeals are oftener made and farther heard. Indeed, the clanging tongue of the press takes up the vanishing breath of the orator and sends his theught vibrating to the ends of the earth and down all the ages. A rival, did we say? Rather may we affirm that it is the grandest ally—the most powerful reinforcement of the rostrum and the pulpit—the religious press indeed the right arm of the church for the solid conquest of the world. "What more momentous

question than this : How can this, one of the mightiest of all the intellectual and moral forces of the globe to-day, be utilized in the highest degree or made subservient to the enlightenment and moral transforma- tion of the race, and, to us more especially, how can the periodical literature of the Methodist Episcopal Church be made productive of the grandest possible results?

To this question, various answers have been proposed. It is a favorite postulate with many that all Methodistic periodicals should be directly under the control of the constituted authorities of the church ; all their editors appointed by the General Conference, and the funds of each directly under management of its financial agents. 6o Michigan Annual Conference.

Others, differing from these the whole heavens wide, affirm that all the periodicals of the church should be altogether independent or unofficial, based simply on those universal and unchanging laws or principles which

God has put directly underneath all legitimate commercial success. Midway between these antipodal extremes, your committee find their golden mean, a position around which they believe every valid argu- ment, both for an official and an independent press, may be marshaled

in solid cordon. That position is the following : Local independent papers for local purposes, and a general official paper for general official or eonnec- tional purposes. That the existing forms of our periodical literature are subject to no law, capable of no classification, of no possible definition, indeed utterly nondescript, except in laborious detail, the most ardent admirer of the

present status is compelled to confess. Zion's Herald, of Boston, for instance, whose unsurpassed loyalty and marvelous success, especially as the pioneer of the whole advocate family, constitutes so glorious a precedent in favor of independent religious

journalism, has been, from its foundations, owned and managed by a local corporation, entirely disconnected with the General Conference.

The Pittsburgh Christian Advocate, however, while it is owned and con- trolled by a local body, representing the Erie, Pittsburgh and West

Virginia Conferences, nevertheless, receives its editor formally from the hands of the General Conference. And, again, the Northern Advocate, at Syracuse, though nominally published by the New York Book Concern,

is absolutely managed in all of its financial interests and clerical appoint-

ments by its General Conference editor, receiving no material aid from

the funds of the church, and making no returns to its technical proprietor. The Book Concern at New York publishes in reality but a single paper —the Christian Advocate—at an annual profit of about $20,000; while the Western Concern at Cincinnati publishes four, at the widely distributed

centers of Atlanta, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Chicago, at a small aggre- gate loss for the past year of $390.53 (see published report of Western

Agents for the year ending November 30, 1874).

Now, so far as financial profit is concerned, it is evidently a matter of very small import to the church whether these papers shall continue longer under the patronage of the General Conference or pass into the hands of a loyal enterprising board, representing the comparatively limited fields of their circulation, for their financial condition, we believe, has not materially changed for nearly a score of years. Nor would those moral and spiritual interests which these papers have so well subserved by the distribution of a pure Christian literature over their respective

fields, at all suffer by a change from an official to a non-official character,

for it could scarcely be claimed that the General Conference alone was Fortieth Session, 18J5. 61 competent to select editors qualified to guard or nurture the periodical literature of Methodism. So far as the value of these papers as the local representatives of Methodism is concerned, the retaining or dropping the term official at the head of their columns is a matter of no special significance. Local papers, official or non-official, meet an absolute demand for local intelligence, and the appliance of aid to local need.

Their value is in the fact that they are local, not that they are official. The fact that their editors are elected by a general conference or by independent boards, is a mere incident and not the essential thing—the religious intelligence and incitements demanded.

But Methodism is not only local but connectional, not only sectional but organic, and these local ganglionic centers of intelligence and moral power which are so essential to the tone and vigor of each local section or organ cannot meet all the demands of the stupendous body ecclesiastic. We need a colossal brain and a gigantic spinal cord— a cord Avhose sensational and volitional fibres shall unite these most distant local centers in the profoundest sympathy, that shall not only report to the great

official cerebrum the sensations or impressions, the conditions and wants of the extremities, but bear throughout the whole system the vibrating

messages of directing official thought, the volitions of all provident love and the vitalizing and energizing sympathetic waves of religious

fire. Such an ecclesiastic nervous system is the great demand of the church in the field of periodicals.

The quarterly is too restricted in the range of its topics, and too infre-

quent in its visits to supply this demand. The New York Advocate has

too much the character of a local, and is not sufficiently in advance of

other locals in size or value to enable it to command the entire field. Its size should be increased at least three-fold, without increase of price, and a half dozen at least of the ablest thinkers of the church put in charge of its respective departments. It should be made in the religious world,

what the London Times is in the political, "the thunderer," whose utterances should command attention and respect throughout the civilized

earth. It should come to us freighted with the very best and latest things in science, literature and art. It should give us the best digest of the

news of the day, the most impartial report of the status of all parties, the best popular articles on agriculture, domestic and political economy, the

ablest newspaper dissertation on civil and ecclesiastical politics, on theology, exegetical and practical—in fact, upon every topic of interest from

the Christian standpoint. And, above all, it should come to us fragrant with the odors of sanctity and glowing with the beauty and charged with all the vitalizing power of the gospel.

Of the success of such a paper in such an age as this, and in such a church as ours, we believe there can be no well founded doubt. Every : :

62 Michigan Annual Conference. law of commercial vigor which underlies the growth of the great journals of the world could be relied on with the utmost confidence here. The demand is commensurate, the demand is imperative. The success of the journal which shall meet this great connectional demand is already assured. In conclusion, your committee beg leave to submit the following: Whereas, Every interest of the church, temporal and spiritual, could but be greatly enhanced by the thorough circulation of both the local and connectional papers of the church; therefore,

Resolved, First, that it is the religious duty of every member of this Conference to put forth constant and urgent efforts to largely increase the circulation of our religious locals among our people; and, secondly, Resolved, That this Conference respectfully petition the ensuing General Conference to so enlarge and empower the New York Advocate that it may supply the constant and yet increasing demand there is for the establishment of a great connectional paper—a paper commensurate to the needs and worthy the dignity of the church. (Signed) W. H. PERRINE, C. L, BARNHART, J. T. IDDLNGS.

[L.]

ON SUNDAY SCHOOLS AND TRACTS,

The Committee on Sabbath School Society and Tract Cause present the following report ON SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

That it is a matter of devout thanksgiving to God that the Church is paying increasing attention to the Sabbath school work; that the convic- tion of its surpassing importance is spreading; the facilities for its permanent efficiency and continued progress are multiplying, and that abound- ing prosperity is attending the careful and earnest efforts put forth in this field. We present for your consideration the following resolutions Resolved, That we recommend all the members of the Conference, whether laboring on circuits or stations, to secure for themselves all the latest and best appliances for Sabbath school instructions, in books, periodicals and maps, and to take measures for holding teachers' meetings in all their schools. Resolved, That Sabbath school institutes be held on each of the districts, at least once annually, for the encouragement and culture of this department of Church work. Resolved, That, in view of the exceeding value of forming the habit of sobriety early in life, we earnestly recommend the temperance cause to a prominent place in the Sunday school, and the organization of each school into a temperance society. Fortieth Session, 1875. 63

Resolved, That, as the pastor is the head and guide of the Sabbath school under his charge, it is important that he be well qualified for his work, and we therefore recommend our delegates to the General Confer- ence to request the incorporation into the course of ministerial study of a department specially relating to Sabbath school instruction. Resolved, That, wherever possible, the sessions of the school should be so arranged, that the scholars called together for the school should be enabled also to attend the public worship of God. Resolved, That we will urge upon the laborers in the schools under our care, and also apply ourselves, to secure the early conversion of the young, as the surest plan for building up an enlightened, devoted and permanent Church membership. Resolved, That we will endeavor to secure the continuance of our schools without interruption, either by the heat of summer or the cold of winter, throughout the year. Resolved, That we recommend that the disciplinary rule requiring the Sabbath school to be organized as a juvenile missionary society, be carefully observed in all our schools. Resolved, That we elect Kev. A. H. Gillett as Vice-President of the Sun- day School Union. TRACT CAUSE.

In reference to the Tract Cause, we would submit the following resolution: Resolved, That we acknowledge the vast amount of good accomplished in the salvation of souls and the quickening of professed Christians, by the dissemination of religious tracts, and that we recognize this mode of Christian effort as one of the open doors before the Church into which she ought to*enter with greater earnestness and zeal. Respectfully submitted. A. P. MOORS, E. A. WHITWAM, W. H. WARE, Committee.

[«.]

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION—TREASURER'S REPORT.

Received from Charges (for items see Statistical Tables) $276 03 Paid out upon vouchers as follows: Jan. 25, 1875, Hitchcock &

Walden, $4.50; March 3, 1875, Treasurer S. S. Union, New

York, $1.55; April 20, 1875, Hitchcock & Walden, $5.87; July 6th, same, $1.41; September 11, same, $249.30; Incidentals by Treasurer, $.20; balance in treasury, $13.20 276 03 W. H. WARE, Treasurer. Battle Creek, September 14, 1875. 64 Michigan Annual Conference.

[».]

TEACT CAUSE—TREASURER'S REPORT.

Received from Charges (for items see Statistical Tables) $197 65

Paid out upon vouchers as follows: Nov. 6, 1874, Hitchcock & Walden, $2.00; Nov. 19, J. M. Phillips, $5.00; Nov. 24, same,

$3.30; Nov. 28, Hitchcock & Walden, $9.00; Dec. 23, same,

$5.60; Jan. 25, 1875, same, $4.50; Feb. 11, same, $5.05; March

18, same, $1.55; April 8, J. M. Phillips, $1.75; July 6, Hitchcock

& Walden, $1.40; Sept. 11, same, $145.10; Incidentals by- Treasurer, $0.20; balance in treasury, $13.20 197 65

W. H. WARE, Treasurer. Battle Creek, September 14, 1875.

[0.]

ON THE SANCTITY OP THE SABBATH.

The institution of the Sabbath and its sanctity is of divine origin, and dates back to that period when God pronounced finis on His creative works: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works which

He had made ; and God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. " And as God rested the seventh day from all His works of creation, so Christ, when He had finished His work of redemption, rested from His work, " as God did from His," and instituted the Christian Sabbath, and sanctified it by both precept and example. All along down the centuries of time, from the finis of creation to the completion of Christ's work of redemption, and thence on to the present, among all civilized and Christian nations, the Sabbath has been regarded as an established institution, and by them incorporated into their statute books, not as of human origin or legislative enactments, but, being found to exist, is by them taken up, accepted and adopted. The Sabbath was made to be a blessing to man, to the whole world of mankind. Its institution and sanctity may be regarded as a safe-guard to the perpetuity and stability of our religious, educational and political institutions. Never did our puritan fathers bequeath to us a brighter or more glorious and worthy example than that found in the puritanical strictness in which they observed the day, as one of rest from secular labor, and :

Fortieth Session, i8j$. 65

holy, reverent service to God. We, as a branch of the Christian Church, entrusted with our measure of responsibility of handing down to on-com-

ing generations the institution of the Sabbath and its sanctity, cannot

afford to let it pass out of our hands with any marks of disrespect, without putting in our most earnest and solemn protest. Neither can we,

without betraying our sacred trust, indulge in the least partiality toward persons or classes of persons, or combinations, who may, singly or in company, in person or by proxy, deliberately violate this law of God and man. We fail to see any provision in the Sabbath law, as made by God, that gives any permission, or the slightest indication that would tend to justify the running of trains on railroads, or street cars in the cities, on the Sab- bath, or other kindred practices, such as patronizing livery establishments,

the markets or barber shops. As the history of the Church and nation is being made up in the midst of the rush of transpiring events, and the

flood-tide of emigration which is setting in upon us from the old world,

with its habits of moral looseness and Sabbath desecration, coupled with the disposition to trample under foot and annul the laws which hold

sacred the acknowledged Christian Sabbath, it is highly important that

every Christian man should be at his post, to guard and defend, by all suitable and moral appliances, against any attempt to undervalue the sanctity of the Sabbath, or lower the standard of man's responsibility to

keep it inviolate. Therefore we recommend the following resolutions Resolved, That the Christian Sabbath, as instituted and sanctified by God, and ackowledged and embodied in the statutes of our common country, is worthy of and entitled to unqualified respect and universal obedience. Resolved, That, in the judgment of this Conference, the practice of running street cars or trains on common railroads, the publishing of news- papers and circulating them, the keeping open and patronizing of livery establishments, barber shops and markets, riding out only for pleasure, and other kindred practices indulged in on the Sabbath, are plainly viola- tions of the letter and spirit of the sanctity of the Sabbath. Resolved, That the foreign or any other element of the population of our free, happy and Christian land, that shall seek to do away with or repeal our laws touching the Sabbath and its sanctity, either by encouraging dis- obedience thereto or by legislative enactments, should be promptly rebuked, by enforcing the law in the one case, or by the power of the ballot in the other. H. HALL. IRA R. A. WIGHTMAN. J. M. ROBINSON. 9 66 Michigan Annual Conference.

[P.] ON FEEEDMEN.

Your committee beg leave to submit the following report:

The work in which our Church is engaged among the Freedmen of the South, affords an unequaled opportunity for the exhibition of the spirit of Christ, and of those peculiar characteristics of disinterested evangelistic labor and heroic self-denying effort, which have been the chief glory of Methodism. If Jesus preached the gospel to the poor, and delighted to cheer and bless the most friendless and degraded, if he went with comfort and sympathy to those who suffered most of scorn and contempt from their fellow- men, surely the Church has here an opportunity to vindicate its claim to true discipleship, and to show to the world that the spirit of the divine

Master still animates His followers.

These people, despised and rejected of men, and in whom there is no beauty that we should desire them, reproduce, in these respects, the dis- tinguishing characteristics which mark the prophet's description of the Saviour of men; and, as we seek to bless, enlighten and save them, we may confidently anticipate the commendation of the Master: " Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, My brethren, ye have done it unto Me."

Their manifest thirst after knowledge, and their susceptibility to religious impressions, are most encouraging features of the work, while the reports of the various laborers in this field show an intellectual progress commensurate with their desire to learn.

Your committee is of the opinion that the golden opportunity of the Church, not only for the moral and intellectual elevation of the colored race, but also for the conservation of their civil and political rights under this government, lies within the limit of the next five years. None who have watched, with an intelligent and unprejudiced eye, the course of events at the South in the past few years, can doubt that the practical reenslavement of the negro is the inflexible purpose of the unreconstructed Southern politician.

Here converge all the struggles for political ascendancy, accompanied by social ostracism, intimidation and butchery, which make up the sick- ening record of the history of the South since the close of the war. The education of the colored race, which will alone fit them for the intelligent exercise of their newly acquired powers, will forever render their political disfranchisement and subjugation, and their civil and social ostracism impossible. Fortieth Session, 1873. 67

The Church, therefore, should arouse from her apathy, and measure up to the exigencies of the hour. Every dollar demanded for this holy cause should be forthcoming from the spontaneous liberality of the Church, and in superabounding scripture measure. The preservation of the results of the sacrifice of blood and treasure, which have been placed upon the altar of freedom by the Church and nation, and the very safety of the republic itself, demand this. Your committee would, therefore, submit the following resolutions: Resolved, That we are in hearty accord with the work of the Freedmen's Aid Society, and hereby extend our sympathy and prayers to the self- sacrificing laborers at the South, who, frequently without adequate pecuniary compensation and amid social ostracism, labor for the moral and intellectual improvement of the Freedmen. Resolved, That we will endeavor to awaken thought and sympathy in the minds and hearts of the people, upon our various charges, in relation to this cause; and that we will endeavor to raise the full amount of eighteen hundred dollars, apportioned to this Conference for the ensuing year. H. M. JOY, Chairman. E. D. YOUNG. M. D. CARREL.

BIBLE society-treasurer's report.

Received from the Charges (for items see Statistical Tables) $306 08 Paid to the Society, as per vouchers $223 60 Paid to Agent, as per vouchers 82 48 306 08 L. M. EDWARDS, Treasurer.

Battle Creek, September 11, 1875.

[£.] ON INTEMPERANCE.

Whereas, Intemperance is the paramount evil of this age and country, and can only be overcome by the use of the strongest measures; be it,

Resolved, That we will use all the means that promise its suppression. Resolved, That the repeal of the prohibitory and the enactment of the tax law, which, in its essential features, is a license to do evil for a pecuniary consideration, is a bad principle and foolish policy that we most heartily condemn, and will work for its reversal. 68 Michigan Annual Conference.

Resolved, That, as the liquor venders of the State have combined to make their traffic legitimate and respectable by the use of political influence, we will oppose their wicked designs by the same means, and call upon all order-loving citizens to defend their individual, domestic, social, political and religious rights and interests everywhere. A. A. KNAPPEN. A. H. GILLET.

S. N. GRIFFITH.

[SJ

FROM ELECTORAL CONFERENCE OF LAYMEN.

The Lay Electoral Conference of the Michigan Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church assembled in Battle Creek, Michigan, on the 10th of September, at 9 o'clock a. m., and was opened by religious exercises.

L. R. Atwater, of Grand Rapids, was elected President, and Geo. I. Betts, of Lansing, Secretary of the Conference. There were present one hundred and three delegates.

Conference adjourned at 10 a. m., and reassembled at 2 p. m.

William Allman, of Sturgis, and J. W. Stone, of Grand Rapids, were elected delegates to the General Conference; and John Lewis, of Green- ville, and S. O. Knapp, of Jackson, alternates. The following resolutions were passed by the Conference:

Resolved, That it is their duty, and we urge it upon all trustees of our church property to see to it and keep our churches and parsonages well insured.

Resolved, That it is the sense of this Conference that the system of administration of our church should be so changed as to reduce the number of presiding elders and districts to at least one-half the present number, and we request the Bishop of the Conference to so arrange the work as to conform to this opinion. Resolved, That the General Conference be respectfully requested to so amend the discipline as to authorize the ordination of women to the office of the gospel ministry in the church of God. Resolved, That we respectfully request the General Conference, which is to assemble in May next, to make provision for the introduction of lay delegates into our Annual Conferences. L. R. ATWATER, President.

GEO. I. BETTS, Secretary. Fortieth Session , 18 6g

[T.]

ON CENTENNIAL OFFERING.

Your committee would report that, in their judgment, strenuous efforts should be made by all the friends of Albion College to increase its efficiency as the only educational institution in the State under our patronage. The fact that the endowment fund has reached the sum of two hundred thousand dollars secures its future permanent success beyond a question. Men of means and business foresight will not give to a sinking cause. But ours is not a sinking cause, and therefore we can now hope that large donations will be added to the present endowment, until the college shall own a million of dollars, and be all that we need as a Church in the State of Michigan.

But money endowment is not all that is needed. A museum, present- ing collections of illustrative specimens in all the departments of natural history, is not only an attraction to those who desire to pursue scientific studies, but it is of immense advantage, yes, indispensable. Not less so is a good philosophical apparatus. The sciences cannot be taught without such facilities, and we cannot wonder that young men and women seek the advantages which we cannot give them in other institutions.

Nor is this all; we ought not to demand of men to " make brick without straw." No faculty can do college work as it should be done without the recognized college implements. These we must give Albion as soon as possible.

The Detroit Conference, at its recent session, has concluded to concen- trate its efforts for the present on the library, and we think have done wisely. Therefore, Resolved, That this Conference heartily approves of the measure, and pledges its concurrence in the work of placing at Albion a good library as soon as it can be done. Resolved, That the Centennial Committee by us appointed be authorized to receive donations for such object. Resolved, That any society or person that shall contribute the sum of five hundred dollars, shall be entitled to give a name to an alcove in said library, and such alcove shall bear said name and be known by it perpet- ually. FORM OF SUBSCRIPTION.

Whereas, During the past ten years the patrons and friends of .Albion College have given to it about two hundred thousand dollars towards an endowment fund, the proceeds of which are to support a faculty; and, Whereas, In the effort to endow the college, the library, the museum, and the chemical and philosophical apparatus, were left unprovided for, and are now absolutely needed by the institution to enable it to meet the :

jo Michigan Annual Conference.

demands made upon it, and give it its proper place as the only college of the State under the patronage of the Methodist Episcopal Church We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do hereby promise to pay to the Treasurer of Albion College, or order, the sums set opposite our respective names, in order to raise twenty-five thousand dollars, more or less, as a centennial offering, to be used in procuring a library; the terms of payment of said subscriptions to be as follows, viz: in four equal installments, one on the first day of January, one on the first day of April, 1 one on the first day of July, ana one on the first day of October, immediately following the date of subscription. j. h. Mccarty. A. A. KNAPPEK H. M. JOY. JOHN LEWIS.

[UJ

ON EPISCOPAL FUND.

Apportioned to Michigan for the year ending Sept. 8th, 1875 $1 ,200 00 Total receipts from Charges 489 25 Paid to Book Agents as per vouchers $477 99 Cash on hand 11 86 489 85 GEO. W. HOAG, Committee.

Battle Creek, September 14, 1875. . :

Fortieth Session, lS'75.

[V.]

ON CHURCH EXTENSION — TREASURER'S REPORT.

The Board of Church Extension asked of this Conference $2,500, which was distributed as follows, and the several amounts collected are appended The Treasurer asks those fifty brethren who have made no report this year to do better the coming year.

CIRCUITS AND Am't Am't CIRCUITS AND Am't STATIONS. Ass'd. Paid. STATIONS. Ass'd.

Albion District. Grand Rapids District. Albion $40 00 $25 56 Gd. Rapids— Division St. $30 00 Jackson 40 00 " Second St. 20 00

Marshall 15 00 " Mission . . 5 00 Battle Creek 40 00 Hastings 15 00 Marengo 15 00 Irving 10 00 Homer 25 00 2 00 Middleville 15 00 South Albion 10 00 10 00 Alaska 20 00 Parma 12 00 12 00 Ada 6 00 Liberty 15 00 2 80 Rockford 12 00 Concord 15 00 1 72 Cannon 20 00 Mosherville 15 00 8 70 Cedar Springs 15 00 Litchfield 15 00 3 80 Sparta 15 00 Hanover 20 00 5 00 Ravenna 8 00 Tekonsha 15 00 2 00 Lamont 8 00 Union City 15 00 3 00 Coopersville 6 00 Leroy 15 00 10 00 Spring Lake 12 00 Burlington 10 00 Muskegon 16 00 Nashville 8 00 Grandville 10 00 Bellevue 20 00 9 25 Berlin 8 00 Olivet 9 00 Fruitport 6 00 Assyria 8 00 Holland Springport 15 00 4 00 Ventura 6 00 Tompkins 20 00 7 50 Byron Center 10 00 Moscow 3 00 Wayland 10 00 Athens 3 00 3 36 Monterey 10 00 Penfield 4 00 4 00 Hamilton

$432 00 $122 09 $273 00

Kalamazoo District. Lansing District.

Kalamazoo $44 00 $44 00 Lansing—Central Ch . . $27 00 $26 50 Three Rivers 44 00 17 45 " First Church. 10 00 4 00 Parkville 20 00 3 00 Mason 18 00 3 00 Mendon 10 00 10 00 Onondaga 11 00 2 00 Schoolcraft 19 00 4 00 Rives 9 00 40 Waukeshma 9 00 Eaton Rapids 18 00 Oshtemo 13 00 4 00 Charlotte 23 00 5 00 Galesburg 22 00 9 00 Bath 15 00 Augusta 15 00 2 00 Dewitt 16 00 5 00 Bedford 13 00 Grand Ledge 17 00 3 65 Prairieville 16 00 5 00 Bengal 11 00 1 50 Richland 11 00 9 00 St. Johns 13 00 1 00 Cooper 16 00 5 00 Ovid 17 00 18 00 Plainwell 11 00 11 00 Duplain 10 00 « 55 Martin 11 00 5 85 Maple Rapids 10 00 * 3 00 Otsego 22 00 5 00 Fulton 9 00 Allegan 16 00 5 00 Vermontville 19 00 3 60 Kendall 10 00 Chester 18 00 50 Bangor 8 00 Okemos 15 00 2 00 South Haven 10 00 1 50 Ithaca Douglas 11 00 3 00 St. Louis 15 00 1 00

$351 00 $143 80 $301 00 $70 70 . .

72 Michigan Annual Conference.

CIRCUITS AND Am't Am't CIRCUITS AND Am't STATIONS. Ass'd. Paid. STATIONS. Ass'd.

Coldwater District. Niles District. Coldwater * $50 00 $10 00 Niles $42 00 Girard 17 00 3 10 Buchanan 28 00 Quincy 10 00 Berrien Springs 11 00 Allen 10 00 2 50 Dayton 9 00 Sturgis 30 00 13 00 New Buffalo 11 00 Cambria 6 00 Bridgeman 9 00 Jonesville 10 00 2 00 St. Joseph 31 00 00 Hillsdale 10 5 00 Benton Harbor . 13 00 North Adams 25 00 16 00 Coloma 13 00 Osseo 10 00 1 10 Silver Creek 27 00 Bronson 10 00 3 00 Pokagon 27 00

Burr Oak 10 00 Edwardsburg . . 20 00 Gilead 8 00 Lagrange 13 00 Centerville 40 00 5 25 Cassopolis 17 00 Constantino 20 00 3 00 Dowagiac 23 00 Mottville 10 00 1 40 Marcellus 3 00 White Pigeon 8 00 Paw Paw 23 00 Kinderhook 5 00 65 Decatur 23 00 Colon 15 00 2 00 Lawton 25 00 Butler 4 no Lawrence 11 00 Mattison 5 00 Hartford 11 00 Ransom 5 00 2 03 Keeler 11 00 Reading 5 00 Algansee 5 00 $404 00

$328 00 $70 03 Ionia District. Ionia $35 00 Pentwater District. Greenville 25 00 Pentwater $5 00 Greenville Circuit 13 00 Hart 3 00 $3 00 Portland 24 00 Ludington 6 00 Lowell 8 00 Manistee 4 00 2 00 Stanton 10 00 Whitehall and Montague 4 00 3 00 Saranac 10 00 Fremont Center 7... 3 00 1 00 Vergennes 22 00 Hesperia 2 00 Woodland 22 00 Shelby 2 00 2 00 Hubbardston 12 00 Ferry 1 00 Orleans 22 00 Twin Lake 1 00 Palo 16 00 Amber 1 00 1 00 Lyons 6 00 Riverton 1 00 1 00 Orange 22 00 Crystal 1 00 Carson City 6 00 Benoni 1 00 Danby and Sebewa 15 00 Muir 6 00 $35 00 $13 00 Pewamo 5 00 Bowne 6 00 Big Rapids District. Westville 2 00 2 00 Big Kapids J8 00 $8 00 Elm Hall Mt. Pleasant 5 00 2 50 Evart S 00 1 00 $289 00 Pierson and Coral 5 00 2 10 Howard City 3 00 2 00 *Grand Traverse Dist. Morley 3 00 Cheboygan River Newaygo 3 00 Glen Arbor Casenovia 4 00 3 00 Northport Lakeview 3 00 3 00 Charlevoix Mill Brook 2 00 2 00 Spencer Creek Hersey 3 00 3 00 Sand Lake 2 00 Farwell 4 00 3 00 Salt River 2 00 50 Assessments for Grand Traverse Dis- Sherman City 1 00 1 00 Baldwin 1 00 trict not furnished the Treasurer. The above charges only reported. $52 00 $31 10 GENERAL STATISTICS OP THE MICHIGAN ANNUAL CONFERENCE OP THE M E. CHURCH-1874-5. MINISTERIAL SUPPORT. MEMBERSHIP. CHURCH PROPERTY. BENEVOLENT COLLECTIONS.

i ii

Atsios ncmicT

Presiding Elder ! Jackson Marshall 8 00 .... Battle Creek Marengo 'e'65 13 37 Homer Parma Liberty

Han. Mosherville .. Litchfield .... Tekousha .... Tnion City... LeBoy...... Burlington ... Nashville Bellevue Olivet Penfleld Springport

South Albion . 12t. (ill Tompkins .... 40 00 .

Moscow IS Illl Athens 60 HI

BIO BAPIDS DISTBICT. Presiding Elder Big Rapids Mt Pleasant 50 00 8 00 . Illl Evart •20 00 34 00 2 50 Pierson and Coral 1 OU 2 HI nij Howard City 9 00 : Morley 15 0U 2 00 1 00 Newaygo 4 00 1 00 Casnoria 1 33 Lake View 20 00 3 0( :u!> Illl Mill Brook 15 00 3 0( . Hersey 6 40 2 00 2 00 Sand Lake 10 00 3 HI 00 Farwell 5 50 1 in Illl Salt River.... 7 00 3 in Oil 9 00 0 51 0 50 Sherman City 5 00 " 5 00 i 66 00 Hi 31 1 16 20 00 3 00 06 20 00 . Totals-. 33 200 38 40 80 00 25 50 0SO (II GBAND BAPIDS DISTBICT Presiding Elder G"d Rapids—Division Street Scott Street 290 30 ioo'66 2 On 116 00 City Mission 9(S in 70 00 16 51 25 Hastings 'JO 00 Ull Irving 38 15 9 00 00 40 66 Middfeville 30 50 3 00 00 Alaska 50 00 10 00 00 Ada 72 25 8 Oo 00 32 00 Rockford 12 30 4 25 3" Cannon 30 00 IS 89 6 00 00 'i3'66 Sparta 45 00 35 '66 Cedar Springs 20 50 ' 12 125 2606 Ravenna 25 ll» 3 00 00 Lament 24 00 6 80 2 10 Coopersville 13 11(1 0 50 , Spring Lake 2 10 2 00 Muskegon 17 45 2 35 '66 Grandville 30 00 5 00 4 00 Berlin Holland 25 00 "306 '66 Vintura 8 00 2 00 Byron Center.. 8 70 0 54 Wayland 17 00 4 00 2 00 Monterey 10 00 2 50 30 25 00 4 00 2 (in Totals 910 25 307 81 92 37 103 35 30 41 10 64 80 W.i 1.22c r.T'.i 2,339 .

GENERAL STATISTICS OF THE MICHIGAN ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE M. E. CHURCH— 1874-5.

LAHOINO DISTRICT I'roHlding KMor

. - liftiiHiiiK (Vjii nil . Flrat MaHon LpaUe <> I"!-" ItiveB Baton Hankie Charlotte Batb DoWItt Urund Ledge Bengal ... St. .((ihiiH. Ovid

Vermont vlllc

I Ibcmter Dim OkoniOH If.llIKML. Alma St. LouiH Breokenridge

COLEWATEK DICTEIOT Presiding Klder Ooldwater, GHnrd ymii.-v Allen .. Sturuis I'niiibrii Joneivllle Hfflidale North Aduins Ohhoo

Miinim cc Whitehall and Montag Fremont Center speria Shelby Furry Twin Lake Amber, Hivertnn Crystal Valley... Benona Bflir Luke Frankfort

Total! j-^OST pFFICE y^DDR ESS.

Aiken, J. M., Decatur. Crittenden, A. L., Mosherville. Aldrieh, W. J, Niles. Cogshall, I., Coldwater. Cogshall, W. I., Pierson. Bacon, E. D., North Adams. Colby, W. M., Lawton. Ball, D. ()., Morley. Cole, G. L., Jonesville. Ball, W. M., Hubbardston. Congdon, T. J., Alamo. Bangs, F. B., Lauding. Cooley, E., Lansing. Barrett, W., Augusta, Cleghorn, T., x^laska. Barnhart, C. L., Muskegon. Clubine, J., Cambria. Barnes, D. F., Grand Rapids. Barnes, G. S., St Joseph. Day, E. H., Richland. Bathrick, L., Way laud. Dayton, J. N., Hart. Beach, A. C, Mt. Pleasant. Deitz, F. M., Monroe Centre. Bell, F. I., Dayton. Dodds, L., Clam Lake. Bennett, I., Quincy. Donaldson, G., Farwell. Bennett, L. M., Evanston, 111. Doughty, B. F., Sturgis. Bignall, T. PI., Grand Haven. Doust, W., Eaton Rapids. Billings, A., Albion. Dunton, A. A., Constantine. Blanchard, S. G., Grand Ledge. Draper, G. C., Tekonsha. Boggs, A. R., Greenville. Earl, L. W., Galesburg. Bray, N., Woodland. Edmonds, L. M., Pentwater. Brockway, W. H., Albion. Eldred, A. J., Sturgis. Brockway, N. L., Vermontville. Ellis, C. H., Reading. Browning, M., Irving. Elliott, G. C, Coloma. Bronson, W. A., Holland. Engle, D., Marshall. Boynton, J., Prairieville. Buell, J. I., Ionia. Fassett, N., Homer. Burns, D., Pokagon. Ferguson, L. P., White Pigeon. Fisher, C. H., Lamont. Cadwell, J. R., Grand Ledge. Freeman, F. J., Maple Rapids. Calkins, L. W., Sparta. Force, J. P., Pentwater. Carlisle, J. W. H., Cassopolis. Fox, C. H., Charlotte. Carrell, M. D., Orleans. Cawthorne, J. W., Mill Brook. Gage, F., North Adams. Chatfield, L., Portland. George, T. T., Colon. Chambers, E. C, Victory. Gillett, A. H., Manistee.

Chapin, G. W., . Gillett, D. D.. St. Johns. Chick, Q, Whitehall. Glass, F., Holland. Clark, T., Oshtemo. Gosling, G. W., New Buffalo. Crawford, R. C, Allegan. Gray, A. T., Lawrence. 10 Michigan Annual Conference.

Griffin, L. J., Riverton. Marble, E., Moscow. Graham, J., Sturgis. Marsh, N. D., Monterey. Gulick, J., Leslie. Masters, L., Spring Lake. Mason, U., Tompkins. Haight, G. L., Quincy. McChesney, E. S., South Haven. Hall, H., Constantine. Merritt, S." M., Springport. Hall, H. H., Kui Kiang, China. McAllister, J. J., Northport. Hall, H. N., Alma. McCarty, J. H., Jackson. Hallenbeck, J. W., Pewamo. Mills. B. S., Palo.

Hallowell, J. W., . Miller, J. W., Three Rivers. Hamilton, J., Ovid. Morgan, H. H., Grand Rapids. Hamilton, S. L., Union City. Mount, G. L., Shelby. Harder, J. S., Bengal. Mount, N., Berrien Springs. Haviland, D. S., Grand Rapids. Moors, A. P., Traverse City. Hayes, E., Rockford. D., Evanston, 111 Hemenway, F. Newton, A. D., Stanton. Henderson, H. P Big Rapids. , Hewitt, S. P., Douglass. Odin, J. R., Reed City. Hill, T. J., . Olds, C. O, Parma. Hills, J., Muir. Hildreth, T. F., Grand Rapids. Paddock, W. M., Girard. Hicks, G. S., Edwardsburg. Parker, H. H., Parkville. Hoag, G. W., Martin. Parsons, D. W., Crystal. Howe, C. H., Fremont Centre. Pearce, L. H., Battle Creek. Hoyt, J., Lagrange. Peck, H. C, Kalamazoo. Hollister, G. E., Lyons. Pengelly, R., Plainwell. Hopkins, J. H., Albion. Penfield, H., Three Rivers. Hunsberger, A., Litchfield. Perrine, W. H., Albion. Phillips, G. A., Ionia. Iddings, J. T., Allen. Pitezel, J. H., Three Rivers. Jacokes, C. A., Bath. Pratt, B. S., Okemos. Jacokes, T. H., Hanover. Proutv, Wm., Benton Harbor. Janes, F. N., Gilead. Potts, J. H., Plainwell. Jenkins, W. F., Pewamo. Jocelyn, G. B., Albion. Reid, J. M., 805 Broadway, N.Y. Johnson, W. W., Grand Rapids. Reid, J. W., Portland. Jones, J., Baltimore, Md. Richards, J. H., South Haven. Jordan, H. D., St. Louis. Riley, Wm., Bellevue. Joy, H. M., Ionia. Robinson, J. M., Sherman. Robinson, J. W., Niles. Kellogg, E. L., Nashville. Robe, J. T., Kalamazoo. Ketchum, A. E., Bedford. Roberts, J., Fallasburg. Kitzmiller, S., Carson City. Rogers, A., Cedar Springs. Knappen, A. A., Mason. Rolfe, A. A., N. Lansing. Latham, I). R., Old Mission. Ross, J. H., Burlington. Lee, G. D., Grand Rapids. Rork, M. V., Athens. Lyon, T. H., Olivet. Russell, A. J., Buchanau. Fortieth Session, 1875. 75

Saunders, N., Evart. Van Horn, G. A., Plainwell. Sherman, G. W., Hastings. Van Fleet, J. A., Hesperia. Skinner, I. H., Hawkseye, Neb. Valentine, J. S., Cooper. Smith, B. W., Onondaga. Ware, W. H., Cheboygan. Smith, M. I., Burr Oak. Ward, D. M., Mattawan. Sparling, E. H, Keeler. Wakefield, A., Middleville. Sparling, W. H., Ludington. Wallace, J. F., Sheridan. Spencer, H. F., Kalamazoo. Webster, J., Mottville. Spencer, T. J., Dan by. Welch, R. C, Albion. Sprague, J. A., Grand Rapids. Wheeler, A. J., Saranac. Stark, J. K., Paw Paw. White, J., Schoolcraft. Steele, S., Northport. White, J. E., Bronson. Steele, N. M., Silver Creek. White, J. W., Waukeshma. Stinchcomb, W. R., Elk Rapids. Whitman, B. H., Canonsburg. Swift, W. J., Dewitt. Wightman, I. R. A., Hillsdale. Tallman, I. B., Dowagiac. Wightman, O. E., Byron Centre. Tanner, E. A., Kinderbrook. Wigle, E., Concord. Tanner, J. H., Liberty. Willson, S. S., Kendall. Tarr, L., Big Rapids. Woodard, D. G, Duplain. Taylor, I., Albion. Woodard, S. C, Hartford. Thomas, C. G., Marengo. Worthington, H., Traverse City. Tuthill, G. W., Centreville. Whitwam, E. A., Diamondale.

Van Antwerp, C. T., Otsego. Young, E. D., Penfield.

PROBATIONERS.

James E. Bayliss, Grandville. Wm L. Tilden, Charlevoix. Robert H. Bready, Newago. Chauncey Van Auken, Ithica. Lafayette Dodds, Clam Lake. Orrin B. Whitmore, Berlin. Amos M. Gould, Leroy. Jonathan M. Whitney, Glen Ar- Wesley A. Hunsberger, Norwood, bor. Jas. H. Thomas, Elm Hall. Jno. P. Williams, Charlevoix. J. M. Arnold & Co. KEEP THE LARGEST & BEST SELECTED STOCK OF RELIGIOUS BOOKS OF Al_L_ KINDS, STANDARD WORKS IN HISTORY AND SCIENCE, MEDICAL BOOKS, SCHOOL BOOKS,

OF ALL PUBLISHERS, MAPS, CARDS, ROOM MOTTOES, MUSIC-BOOKS, &c.

In the State, and sell at the lowest figures. When $50.00 worth or more are wanted, we send a box and the School selects and returns the balance.

Agents for all S. S. Papers, Berean Series, &c.

We sell all kinds of Sunday School and Churc ; Music- Books. Big-low & Main's Publications

are in greatest demand ; the sale of their books is larger than those of all other Music-Book Publishers combined.

§3T Send for Catalogues. BOOKBINDING DONE TO ORDER.

Address x8g Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Mich, .

GENERAL STATISTICS OP THE MICHIGAN ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE M. E. CHURCH— 1874-5. MINISTERIAL SUT'OUT. MEMBERSHIP. CHURCH PROPERTY BENEVOLENT COLLECTIONS. SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

g I!

OEAND IEAVSr.32 EISIEICT Presiding El. lor '1 niv.Tsu City Old MiHMiou Torch Lake Norwood Almira Elk Kaplds Cheboygan River Souiii Arm (Hon Arbor Inlanil Norlhport Chebovgon

Bedford . . PrairieviUe Richland ... Cooper Plainwell... Martin Otsego Allegan Kendall .... Bangor South Havi Douglas

Totals duo' -j:i6 3«u '.'an; « GENERAL STATISTICS OF THE MICHIGAN ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE M. E. CHCRCH-1874-5. MINIhTKKIAL SUPPORT. MEMBERSHIP. CHURCH PROPERTY. BENEVOLENT COLLECTIONS. SUNDAY SCHOOLS. T For Missions. S §91

*-6J5-s *s a--i M<- is

p».< $22 «5 6,001) 27 501 1,500 9 00| 3,1*00

25 00

45 1 S

88 85 52 f,d 2,250, 42 00 8,5001 21 60 6,000' 20 00 5,0001

22 00 3 6l) 76 00 8 00 31 25 111) 00 1ft 4 49 . 80 15 00

I 76P 23 26

2,:t2o on 21,100 $8,493 87 82,882 15 861 05 $30 7K jfio is 05 12 55 27 10

RECAPITULATION BY DISTRICTS.

181,706 $332 97 $87 42 401 3,835 24 48 25 146 39 $220,300 17 |24,7O0 $32,719 79 $16,117 64 1,274 96 264 78 1,539 74 $334 18 $131 70 111 82 $41 03 $26 65 $36 52 $37 29 1,166 54 67 796 4,830 1,537 1,667 668 3,204 609 430 134 6,544 $2,123 26 1,046 67 411 107

18,437 16,397 267 1 9 68 25 287 3,150 38 87 8 65 84 14 141,700 17 20,800 11,347 30 7,266 00 894 03 103 34 1,057 37 297 71 73 93 75 44 4 00 15 00 41 74 24 93 66 750 3,711 1.121 943 662 2,678 494 411 69 4,629 1,079 81 1,136 60 240 72 379

l.S!);; 66 19,918 17,801 oo 388 31 108 16 330 3,132 25 34 66 284 86ft 177,200 14 15,400 5,023 28 11,974 00 996 87 286 31 1,283 18 304 38 160 12 140 62 134 70 41 46 46 46 63 39 366 24 60 703 4,466 2,143 1,446 663 3,166 585 669 174 4,193 1,101 1,099 236 386 226 362

17,040 15,671 2,326 00 123 12 34 16 264 2,427 25 47 10 121 27 116,050 16 21,100 8,493 67 2,882 00 646 72 81 00 725 72 127 15 61 05 30 78 10 18 8 05 12 55 27 10 375 25 49 477 3,191 1,065 1,153 437 2,069 388 593 88 3,703 883 20 :2l 268 60 23T

21,603 17,617 2,124 17 233 25 64 30 195 2,643 33 27 56 102 25* 172,700 17 2,850 14,276 00 23,606 60 862 15 48 00 910 15 307 81 92 37 103 85 10 46 26 30 41 10 54 70 273 70 57 635 3,797 1,189 1,228 579 2,339 408 278 86 4,854 1,309 28 1,219 60 280 60 311

18,420 16,349 228 04 67 98 861 2,631 22 32 35 143 20 115,400 13 13,550 9,129 00 4,100 00 942 23 186 10 1,128 33 140 21 187 67 146 63 21 85 17 30 21 12 25 00 41 25 66 630 3,362 1,036 1,144 688 1,949 367 408 182 2,300 993 39 1,268 60 248 80 149

18,830 16,357 28C 90 69 60 297 2,833 34 30 38 158 22 99,250 18 23,300 10,405 75 11,800 00 797 46 147 66 945 11 309 85 81 50 90 92 18 70 36 45 33 15 39 65 61 685 3,982 1,343 1,281 708 2,744 447 524 164 4,316 1,689 29 1,612 64 270 125 400

10,470 8,168 27 50 12 75 113 898 11 40 42 10 22,300 10 8,150 6,629 10 2,750 00 94 28 25 40 119 88 19 00 3 00 2 60 1 90 5 90 87 352 1,823 622 849 816 1.167 220 95 57 2,220 426 41 443 00 146 92 47

49 80 7,936 6,787 28 80 9 00 173 1,040 24 17 34 47 8 18,600 9 6,750 830 00 348 00 168 00 6 00 161 00 1 00 18 00 7 00 I 00 4 00 6 10 29 46 39 17 87 207 1,320 409 377 169 768 193 338 68 2,277 414 60 476 25 88

11,690 9,440 111 31 19 61 260 1,498 24 22 46 69 10 22,400 9 8,900 3,828 00 1,973 00 169 89 30 60 200 39 40 80 33 00 26 50 4 20 12 75 17 10 4 50 47 413 2,522 817 666 419 1,435 268 244 76 2,710 680 01 864 71 167 286 3 19

Grand Totals. 2,890 107,907 144,303 ( 2,017 39 521 12 2,669 23,987 261 314 357 1,167 235* 1,105,900 140 144,500 102,680 89 82,817 14 6,835 06 1,238 09 8,071 24 1,863 09 948 34 735 56 24S 71 189 86 260 74 306 02 2,061 15 517 5,447 32,954 11,342 10,290 6,224 21,416 ? 852 3,958 1,071 37,706 10,669 19 8,966 682 2,478 1,036

Last Year 105,125 144,871 42,963 10,619 31 19,868 9,684 4,136 3,636 1,552 90 691 64 3,299 23,290 269 298 316 1,596 225 1,174,000 1 12 193,150 75,948 92 119,898 00 6,706 16 989 14 7,661 28 1,708 55 1,010 89 506 84 348 82 169 28 262 12 268 91 492* 6,034 30,875 9,916 9,891 4,630 19,968 3,455 3,832 1,279

4C4 40 697 16 41 10* 8128 90 $248 95 $409 96 $154 54 229 72 $20 58 $37 11 24* 413 1,079 1,426 699 694 1,458 397 128 $39 88

70 42 640 429 68,100 46,650 37,081 86 $62 55 $99 91 $1 38 208 5,248 $9,902 1,902 1,641 8,100 746 THE TYPE WRITER

A Machine to Supersede the Pen.

manufactured by the Remington Sew- ing Mnchine Company. Branch Office, 191 Woodward Ave., Detroit, Mich. S. W. CALL, Manager. Pricb, $125.00. Clergymen, especially those who prepare their sermons in full, will experience all the advantages of having- a clearly printed sermon to rend, and al less than half the expense in time and lahor of a written one, besides all the other advantages of uniformity, compactness, etc. We furnish a machine, with large type, especially adapted to the use of clergymen, lecturers, etc.

CONTINENTAL LIFE INS CI. § NEW TORN

ASSETS, - - $7,000,000

HOME OFFICE: INCOME. - - $3,000,000

SURPLUS, - - - $711,000 22, 24 & 26 ,No. of Policies issued, 72,600

Nassau Street. Death Clai*is Paid, $3,600,000

Thirty days grace allowed on payment of premiums. No restriction on travel—economical management—ample se curity—prompt payment of losses- -justice to all. Liberal terms will be given to active, energetic, responsible men, for agents throughout the State. For insurance or agency, apply to G. A. WATKINS, Manager for Michigan. IO Bank Block, DETROIT, MICH. JVI^TMv ^V. SJEEL.Y,

A.JSTJD DEALER I3NT

Hats, Caps, Ladies' and Gents' Furs, Plain and Fancy Robes,

123 Woodward Ave., - DETROIT, MICH.

jJ3T DISCOUNT TO CLERGYMEN

MARCUS STEVENS. J. LUTMAN. Z. R. BROCKWAY- MARCUS STEVENS & CO. Manufacturers and Dealers in Rich and Plain Furniture

UPHOLSTERY GOODS, ETC., MANTEL AND PIER LOOKING-GLASSES,

Mattresses, Pillows and Spring Beds of Every Description. IS & 17 Monroe Avenue, DETROIT, MICH. ALBION COLLEGE.

Fall Term opened September 16, 1875.

Full courses of study, thorough instruction, superior advantages in Music and Painting ; buildings ample and rooms well furnished ; location healthful. Expenses, exclusive of Painting and Music, for the term, need not exceed |65 or |70, or from $200 to $210 for the year. Many spend less. Music and Painting at moderate prices. For catalogues or further information, address, GEO. B. JOCELYN, President.

HITCHCOCK, ESSELSTYN & CO.'S

165 JEFFERSON AVENUE.

Black Goods of on own, Importation a Specialty, A LIBERAL DISCOUNT TO CLERGYMEN. ESTABLISHED, 1840. F. WETMORE & CO. Importers and Jobbers of

LAMPS, CUTLERY, FANCY GOODS, ETC. A Large Stock of Gas Fixtures, to which we call particular attention. Chande- liers and Lamps for CHURCHES a specialty. Ladies will find our assortment of China by far the most complete in the city. lOO Woodward Ave., DETROIT, MICH,

DON'T PAY $15, $20, 0RI$24 •

Upper or Under Set & Teeth

When you can get the same for $8, $10, $12, or $15, at

H. H. SMITH'S, ") State Street. } 169 WOODWARD AVE.

All work warranted and License to use the Vulcanized Rubber.

L. L. FARNSWORTH, (BOKTON STOUE) WHOLESALE AISTID RETAIL

OF EVERY DESCRIPTION, AT LOW PRICES,

Cor. Woodward and Michigan Aves., DETKOIT, MICH. —

P a Mi FERRY & 00

The most extensive Seed Establishment in America.

Thousands of Dollars are sent abroad every year for Flower Seeds

at Extravagant Prices, while we will sell «// varieties to be had in the market at a uniform price of TEN CENTS PER PACKAGE. OUK NEW ILLUSTRATED AND DESCRIPTIVE PRICED SEED ANNUAL will be ready to mail about January 1st, 1876. This is the largest and most comprehensive. Seed Catalogue published. It contains two elegant colored plates, over 1,000 fine engravings, and gives full descrip- tions, prices, and directions for planting of over 1,300 varieties of Vegetable and Flower o'eeds, Bedding, Plants, Poses, &c, and will be sent FKEE to all applicants. 1>. Mi FIJjRB Y & CO., DETROIT, MICH.

Our Catalogue of Winter Flowering Bulbs is now ready to mail, FREE on application. DETROIT THROAT ui LUG IXSTITUTE,

No. 251 Woodward Avenue DETROIT, MICH,

I HILTON WILLIAMS, H, D, Proprietor.

lently established since 1871, for the cure of

Catarrh, Throat Diseases, Asthma, Bronchitis and Consumption.

Over 1.500 persons successfully treated during the past year.

REFERENCES BY PERMISSION—Ch as. J. Nall, Druggist, 164 Woodward ave., says " Dr. Williams has saved my /life." J. S. ,Cunklin, Esq., Jeweler, cor. Woodward ave. and Lamed st. Prof. S. S. Jackson, 500 Cass-ave. Prof. A. J Newby, 40 Sibley street. W. B. CoNELY, Artist, Abstract Building. J. M. Arnold & Co., 1S9 Woodward avenue. Rev. H. F. Spencer, M. E. Minister, Kalamazoo, Mich., who says: "Having been treated by Dr. Wil- liams and greatly benefitted, I lake pleasure in recommending him to others." My daughter was greatly benefitted by Dr. Williams 1 treatment. J. M. A. J®"SEND FOR CIRCULAR.