The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-06-26
General Conference Of Maine.

The thirty. seventh annual meeting Of the
General Conference Of the Congregational
Churches Of Maine, commenced its session with
the End Congregational Church in this city. on
Tuesday.
Large and ample preparations wcro made to
receive and entertain all who should attend.
and the arrangements Of the Society were in
every respect successful. Monday night brought
large delegation, only to be succeeded by
still larger arrivals Tuesday and Wednesday,
who were promptly provided with Inequalities
by the committee appointed for that purpose
The singing by the choir. Mr.. NOVEL;, Director,
was excellent throughout.
Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock A. NJ, COM
menced the business meeting OF the Conference.
Rev Mr.. Packard, Moderator, and E. F. Durcn
Of Bangor, Clerk. Devotional Services con-
Quoted by the moderator. Delegates enrolled.
Constitution and Rules presented. Number of
delegates proper, 100, although oil ordained
ministers are honorary members, though not
allowed to vote. Report Of delegates to cor
responding bodies. A committee consisting Of
DR.. Dwight Of Portland. DR.. Thurston Of
Searsport and Rev. A. Cole of Cornish were up.
pointed to consider the state Of our country,
and report at future meeting. At II A. NJ,
after singing by the choir, and prayer by Rev.
Daniel Tcnney Of Boston, the opening sermon
was preaced by Rev. G. L. Walker OF Portland.
nj 20. II Tho m
was one of the distinguished preachers best.
and was listened to by the large audience with
profound attention. Amer prayer the confer
ence adjourned. In the p. NJ, at O'Clock the
subject OF Sabbath Schools was taken up. Re.
port by Bro. Alvah Hersey Of South Paris.
lO7 schools were reported. 1870 teachers and
II. l49 scholars were reported in these schools.
II the whole number Of schools had reported,
some %, 900 to &c, 900 scholars would be found
in them. Remarks were subsequently, made by
Rev. Messrs. Mckenzie of Augusta, Halves Of
Bridgton, Thurston Of Searsport, Thayer Of
Garland, Chase of Oldtown and Mr.. Sampson
of Dover. Remarks on Preaching to Children
then followed, by DR.. Carruthers Of Portland,
He was followed in brief addresses by Rev.
David Thurston OF Litchfeld, Rev. d. Tenney
of Boston, and Rev. VIM. Warren Of Gorham.
This exercise was very interesting. Tuesday
evening was the thirty fourth annual meeting
of the Maine Congregational Charitable Socie-
ty, Sermon by Rev. Edward Halves of Water
willie from Luke 9: 34-5. Theme-Christ the
Revealer Of Thoughts Of men. Devotional
exercises were conducted by the preacher and
Rev. j. X. Mason Of Hampton. After which
contribution was taken up in aid Of the widows
and children of deceased clergymen, amount
ing to Sl34,oO.
Receipts for the past year s25S,0o.
Expenditures " $500.
Officers for the ensuing year were chosen
Rev. b. Tappcn, Jr., of Norridgewock, was
chosen Preacher for the next meeting. primary,
and Rev. G. l.. Walker OF Portland, substitute.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
Prayer meetings were held in this city and
Saco at IL o'clock at which several clergy
men gave interesting reports Of religious pros.
perlty in their pastorates.
At O'Clock the Maine Missionary Society
commenced its Anniversary. Annual sermon
by Prof. Harris of Bangor. Text Mat. 10: 10.
Humanity of Christ was his theme.
Then followed the Treas report which we omit
as II will be published. Annual COL was then
taken up amounting to SOL.
AFTERNOON p. NJ Tho annual meeting Of
IL Ar,aricon Elucatipn
Society was held. Treas reported S34l0, re-
ccved the last year. Contributions Ss5.
After addresses from several clergymen the
Conference resumed its business at 3 O'Clock.
The report Of the committee on the Bangor
Seminary was presented by Rev. DR.. Cushman
Of Warren. after which DR.. Dwight offered the
report of the committee on the state Of the
country consisting Of the following:
Re,olpea, That, while we humbly acknowl.
edge the Divine justice in the fearful evils which
have beiallen US during the existing war, aud
would dcplore our sins rs 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 revolt
ing States for the maintenance of our National
Government, and the institutions on which 1t
rests; and that we will heartily sustain those
who administer the Government until. with the
blessing OF God, the rebellion shall DC nnaliy
put down.
2. That whatever perils or sacrifices may yet
await us, we will cheerfully meet them. doubt. |
irg 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 augmen- |
taton of our prosperity; and in our prepara-
ton for the work OF ditfusing civil liberty and
evangelical religion through the world.
3. That we would gratefully acknowledge the
Divine Hand in those national measures, espec- |
tally in the Proclamation of the Emancipation
of the Slaves issued by the President, and in
other events during the war, which already
assures us of the speedy extinction Of Southern
Slavery and that we deem this extinction in |
dispensable to the removal Of our great nation
al reproach abroad, and to the restoration OF
our Union as q people ut home.
4. That our patriotic Soldiers, who arc now
enduring every hardship, and those also who
have become disabled in defence OF our coun- |
try, deserves no less honor than the patriotic
Soldiers of the Revolutionary war and that to
them, and to the families Of those who have
sympathes, our gratitude, and our prayers.
The DR.. then addressed the Conference. No
synopsis of ours would do justice to his eloquent
remarks. We wish every man In the nation
could have heard 1t. Prof Major whittelsey
Of Brunswick. formerly Of Gen. Howard's staff,
followed in eloquent remarks. Several gentle.
men ably supported the resolutions. Rev. j.
o. Fisk of Bath, . remarkably conservative
speaker, opposed the third.
The serie, were adopted unanimously with
IL IA Il