The Methodists

i ne iwouiy-inira nnmiui sesaion 01 the uonter. enceof the M. E.Church was commenced in tlifs city on Wedneaday morning at 1) o'olock Bishop Merrill, of Chicago, presiding. After the opening religions exercises, the Bishop oft'eriug the prayer, the Conference roll was called by Dr. Arthur Edwnrds, of Chicago, Secretary oí tbe last Conference, and 115 meinbere answered to their ñames. Mr. Edwards was re-elected Secretary by acclamation and appointed lluv. D. B. Tracy assistant. The Bishop appointed, with some necessary changes, the standing committees nominated at the last session. A special committeo was appointed consisting of Revs. D. C. Jacokes, A. J. Bigelow, J. S. Smart, William Fox, and Seth Reed, to confer with a like committee appointed by the Michigan Couferrenco to initiate the necessary measurea for a división of the ñtate into three Conferrenees. The Bishop iutroduced the following accredited visitón: Kev. Dr. Haskell, Baptist; Rev. Dr. W. H. Ryder, Congregationalist ; Rev. E. üolder, Uernian Methodist all of Aun Albor; J. C. Hartzell, of the New Orleans, Christian Advocate ; and D. A. Perrin, of the Kansas Conference. Rev. Mr. Hurtzell addressed the Conferonce in the interest of the Freedmeu's Aid Society. The other business was of a routine nature, ïhere was no afternoon scssion. Wednesday evening the anniversary meeting of the Sunday School Union an,d Tract Society was held. Addresses were given by Rev. Dr. Niude, of Detroit, and Rev. Dr. Hartzell, of New Orleaus. The routine business of the Conference was ontinued on Thursday, and on Thursday eveniug, Rev. Dr. Hartzell of New Orletsns, gave an address in behalf of the claims of the freedmen. This afternoon at 3 o'clock the anuiversary of the Woman'a Foreïgn Missionary Society wili be held, and this evening William Taylor, the well kuown California Evangelist willpreach, To-morrow afternoon the Rev. J. S. Smart will address one of the Conference Societies, and the Missionary anniversary will be hold in the evenin. Conference Love-Fcast Sunday at 9 o'elock a. m.; sermón by Bishop Merrill at 10 1-2 a. m , followed by the ordination of Deacons ; ordination of Elders in the afternoon, and sermón by Chaplain McCabe in the evening. Iu accordanco with the usual custom preauhers will be detailed to several other chinches of the city for morning and evening. Business sessions will be hold each forenoon and the Conference will probably adjourn on Monday.