The Portland daily press., 1864-06-15
East Maine Conference.

A correspondent Of the Boston Journal
gives the following interesting account OF bis
trip to Bucksport, and the proceedings Of the
East Maine Conference Of the NJ. Z. Church,
which held It's annual session In that place last
week -
A pleasant trip 10 the magnificent steamer
Katahdin, brought be to this fine old town ON
the east bank OF the Penobscot. l am tempted
TO say much more than dare to ask space for
in commentator Of this splendid route. Sui-
fee il to say, no swearing, brawling officers,
nor insolent or lazy crew or walters are to be
found here. was pleased TO see sick soldier
led 70 the table, and his wants generously sue
piled by the steward.
The trip among the hundreds OF islands
skirting the coast Of Maine Is really delightful
The quiet, inviting watering places at the
landings on the river. together with the real
splendor of the variegated scenery conspire 70
make . resort to those localities from the cit
les highly desirable. The boldness OF the "Me-
gunticook" hills, near Camden, are particular
ly interesting. II was with sadness that the
hill In this group wasponted out to US from
which Miss French was strangely precpitated
last May, falling distance OF five hundred
feet. The cause OF this sad catastrophe was
supposed TO have been sudden flaw of wind
by which the young lady, who had ventured
close to the verge of the dizzy hight, lost ali
control of herself-as was true, almost, OF her
sister at the same instant.
This body ecclesiastical, whose sessions |
am attending, Is q fine set OF real hard.work-
Ing men. Short speeches are the order of the
day. A highly devotional spirit prevails, evil
IDENTIFY, for they begin each days business at
.ace o'clock In the morning, inaugurating the
day with good. hearty prayer meeting.
There is very loyal type OF Christianity
prevailing here--a fact demonstrated by this,
viz: over ten per cent OF the preachers being
in the Union army, in one or another capac-
~. They seem also TO acQuiesce in the recent
Vice Presidential nomination, judging from
the expressions coming to our ears
A highly fraternal letter from the General
Conference ofthe Ne Congregational Church
es was read this morning.
Reports from the several ministers on the
missionary collections OF the year show very
gratifying increase In this direction. -
Two highly interesting sermons were deliv-
cred yesterday afternoon and evening, the first
by Rev. Mr.. Strout, the other by Rev. Mr..
Crawford. l said two serinons--I ought TO
have said three, for at the close OF that yester-
day afternoon, an old man, Fletcher by name
| think, In the space ofno more certainly than
1--WE minutes, so pertinently and forcbly quot
ed few verses Of scripture as TO embody a
complete and efficient discourse. No better
impression certainly could have been made on
the topic involved, had the time been Extends
ed' to five times that number OF minutes and
seconds.
The denomination have fine seminary To-
Gated In this town, which is enjoying a fair
measure OF prosperity, over three hundred
and fifty students having been in attendance
during the year just closed. Rev. James b.
Crawford, the Principal, is highly popular, as
also the teacher 10 the department Of the Ian
guages, Mr.. j. W. Hascall. recent graduate
of Yale College.