The Portland daily press., 1867-06-27

The General Conference of the Congrega-
tional churches of Maine commenced its forty
first annual session at the Pine Street Church
in Lewiston on Tuesday. The Secretary, Mr..
E. F. Duren of Bangor, called to order, and
chose Moderator pro. TEN. Rev. DR.! Adams of
Brunswick, who read the Scripture and led in
prayer.
The certificates of delegates were called for
and presented and the members enrolled.
Rev. A. G. Adams of Auburn, was elected
Moderator of the Conference, for three years
from the present time. ..ll--l
After the transaction of some business, and
hearing the reports of delegates to correspond
ing bodies, a half hour was spent in devotional
exercises
r. At 10 1-2 o'clock, the opening sermon was
preached by Rev. DR.. Keller of Reading. ...,.s
sachusetts who when he recei VI "a, appoint-
ment was pastor in Cale..Me
p. Inc Coniere.e re. assembled at 2 10 P. M.
I, Iaf hour was spent in devotional exercises,
after which the following topics were reported
by Rev. Mr. Balkan, Chairman of Arrange
ments, for discussion:
The evangelization of Maine-the first great
work which devolyes upon the Christian peo-
pie. .t5lg
/. The peculiar features of the work and the
spiritual preparation necessary to the prosecu-
ton of it, The church under God a working
and achieving power. The idea, spirit, meth
DDS, on which this depends.
2. Progress is demanded In our interior
work.
(a) Every Christian witness and worker
for Christ, and the minister not a substitute
for the church but its leader in every good
work.
m .lnn ax,l h..
fullest development of the gifts and graces OF
all the members of the church by it.
(c) The Sabbath School it's condition and ca
pabilities, and what is to be done to make it a
more powerful auxiliary.
3. Aggressive efforts beyond the ordinary
limits Of church and parish.
ta) The various forms of work appropriate
TO town, city and rural populations, including
Young Mems Associations and labor for young
people generally.
(b) The Missionary Society. Its posture and
possibilities
. tc) PRACTICAL arrangements for the co-opera-
ton oil the various evangelical denominations
Inc masslng of feeble churches, turning their
weakness INTO strength.
4. The mutual relations betwean our ovn
nome Work-its Indicated abOve-and the whole
field of Christian labor-tbe world Incentives
which each furnishes to activity i'm the other,
Tuesday evening was given to the MEETING of
the Maine Charitable Society, an organization
for the relief of the widows and orphans of do.
ceased ministers.
The President of the Society, Dea. Samuel
Adams Of Castine, presided After the report
o; the Treasurer was read, address were made
by Rev. George e. Adams, D. D. of Bruins
wick, Rev. j. o. Fisk OF Bath, and President
harris of Bowdoin College. At the conclusion
OF the addresses, collection was taken IN in
aid of the funds of the Society
Rev. VIM. Warren read a paper in memor;-
am of Rev. Nathan Douglass, Rev. VIM. jerks
d. d., Rev. Clement Parker, Rev. Sidney Wa.
tiers, Rev.Allan Greeley, Rev BENJAMIN Will
ley, Rev. George w. Cressey, and Rev E. @
Carpenter, all OF whom had deceased during
the year.
The report of Wednesdays proceedings we
are compelled to defer. The session closes to-
day.