“Immediately after closing its session at Arlington your committee received the following letter from Rev. J. J. Bently, P. E. of Springfield District M. E. Church, North, relating to the parsonage (marked F).
“This communication was immediately sent to Hon. Jno. S. Phelps, our counsel.
“Thus we have given you all that we have been able to do in this matter, simply adding our opinion that we will ultimately recover our property.
“The condition of the church at Springfield, as will be seen by reference to the letter of R. P. Faulkner, who examined it, requires immediate attention.
“The damage done to the house on the occasion of the defeat of the religious fair is thus reported on by R. P. Faulkner:
“Though seriously damaged, yet it can be repaired for much less than I had any idea of until I visited it. I had a builder go and examine and make a rough estimate of the cost to repair the damage, including everything but seats, pulpit, &c., who reported to me that, if a thousand dollars would not do it, twelve hundred would.’
“From a careful survey of all the interests of our Church in Springfield, we recommend to the Conference that measures be immediately taken to secure for that station a man of experience, who shall take the charge of the society and the oversight of the repairs of the church. And to this end we submit the following resolutions:
“1. Resolved, That the Bishop be requested to station one of the most efficient pulpit and business men at Springfield.
“2. That the Missionary Society be requested to make as liberal appropriations as they are able for the support of the preacher stationed at Springfield.
“3. That with the approval of our counsel at Springfield and the recommendation of the Board of Trustees, the preacher in charge be authorized and requested to visit such places as he may see proper to raise means to pay debts and repairs on the Church.