The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-06-25
General Conference of Maine.
Reported for the Press.


General Conference Of Maine.
Reported for the Press.
TUESDAY EvENING.-The services connect
ed with the anniversary of the Maine Congre-
gational Charitable Society occupied this even
ing. The object Of this society is to assist, as
it may have the ability, the widows and or
phans of deceased ministers in the State. Il
has no standing fund, but relies mainly upon
the contribution taken up at the annual meet
ing. The usual Introductory services were
performed by Rev. j. r. Mason, of Hampton /;
after which the annual sermon was delivered
by Rev. Edward Halves, of Waterville, from
Luke 2: "a, IS; Sand Simeon blessed them,
and said unto Mary, his mother, behold this
child is set for the fall and rising again of
many in Israel; and for sign which shall be
spoken against (yea, q sword shall pierce
through thy own soul); that the thoughts of
many hearts may be revealed" Christ, the
revealer of the hearts of men, was the theme
of the discourse, which the preacher. illustrate
ed in his earnest and forcible manner. A con-
tribution was then taken up, amounting to
STAG; after which the usual business Of the
society was transacted.
WEDNESDAY MoRNING.--Prayer meetings
at IL o'clock were held in Biddeford and
Saco for one hour. The former was conduct
ed by Rev. II. Ilsley, of Portland the latter
by Rev. d. Shepley, of Yarmouth.
At s o'clock A. M. the conference met for
the transaction Of business. The treasurer's
report was read and accepted, and other items
Of business were attended to until o'clock,
when the Anniversary of the Maine Missiona-
ry Society commenced. Rev. DIR. Adams, of
Bruins wick, president of the society, read the
Scriptures and led the audience in PRAYER
The annual sermon was then preached by Prof.
Harris, of Bangor. Text, Mathew 16: Is;
The Son OF Man. The human nature of
Christ was his theme. After most fitting
introduction he remarked:
Christ presents the unirersality of hu-
man nature.
Pile presents human nature in its COM
pletion.
She presents 1t in its moral and spiritual
perfection.
APPLICATION:
1--we see the worth of man as man.
2-Christ consecrated all that Is human.
3-This view Of Christ's humanity is calcu-
lated TO humble us.
This is but meager plan of one of the fin
est, clearest and most useful sermons that ev-
er the writer listened to. The house was filed
to its utmost capacity, and every one was
charmed by the discourse
The treasurer's report was then read, fol-
lowed by the report of the trustees, read by
Rev. DR.. Tappan. The particulars of these
omit, as they are to be published.
The report was followed by short and stirr-
ing addresses of five minutes each from the
following: Rev. Mr.. Hayes, of Massachusetts,,
Rev. Mr.. J. Sewall, of New York. Rev. DR.
Shepard, Of Rhode Island, Rev. Mr. Barrows,
of Massachusetts, Rev. Mr.. Butterfield, of New
Hampshire, Rev. Messrs. Rogers, Nichols.
Cushman, Burnham, Stevens and Hubbard, of
our own State. The meeting was of thrilling
interest.
The annual contribution was then taken up.
amounting to sl01; after which the regular
business was attended to, and the meeting adj
journed.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, 9 P. M.-The
annual meeting of the Maine Branch of the
American Education Society was held. Rev.
d. Thurston, President, introduced the SER
vices with prayer.
The report of the Treasurer was then read
by DR.. Shepard. S34l0 So were received
during the year.
The Secretary, Rev. Prof. Shepard, then
read the report Of the Directors-a character
istic report, such as Prof. S. only can WRITE
Rev. S. b. Treat, Secretary of the A. b. c.
F. Missions, then addressed the audience upon
the great cause of education, as connected
with this society, showing its intimate and
essential connection with the Foreign Mis-
sionary Board. Rev. Mr. Balkan of Lewiston
followed with an address. Rev. Mr.. Barrows
of Reading, Mass, followed with some per-
sonal "reminiscences as beneficiary of the
American Education Society.
contribution was taken up of SS5.
At 3 o'clock the Conference resumed its
business. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr..
Butterfeld.
The report Of the committee on the Bangor
Seminary was presented by Rev. DIR. Cushman
of Warren.
The committee on the state of the country,
by its Chairman, DIR. Dwight, offered their
report, consisting of the following series of
Resoired, That, while we humbly acknowledge the
Divine Justice in the fearful evils which have beiaen
us during the existing war, and would deplore our
sins as people which have caused them we affirm
our entire confidence in the righteousness of the war
itself as contest into which we have been forced
by the revolving States for the maintenance of our
National Government and the institutions ON which
administer the Government until, with the blessing
of God, the rebellion shall be finally put down.
z That whatever perils or sacrifices may vet
await us, We will cheerfuiy meet them, doubling
not that, in His own good time, God will cause this
contest to issue in the publication of our Nation
from its SINS in the great augmentation of pros
perity; aud IN our preparation for the work of diff
iusmg civil liberty and evangelical religion through
the world.
10. That we would gratefully acknowledge the Divine
Hand in those national measures especially in the
Proclamation OF the Emancipation OF the Slaves is.
sued by the President, and in other events during
the war, which already assures us of the speedy ex
tinction of Southern Slavery; and that we deem
this extinction indispensable to the removal of our
great national reproach abroad and to the restora
ton OF our Union Ms people at home.
4. That our patriotic Soldiers, who endur-
ing every hardship and those also who have become
honor than the patriotic Soldiers Of the Revolution
airy war; and that to Them and to the families of
those who have fallen, we owe a sacred debt, our
heartfelt sympathies, our gratitude and prayers
The Doctor then proceeded to address the
Conference upon these resolutions in most
alooua,t ond ;,noraes;ya ,,,o,,o, NJ .as..