The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-12-23

~ u,.. DOVER, N. H., Dec 21, 1863.

DOVER, N. H., Dec. 21, 1863
10 me Editor Of the Press:
The Evangelical churches Of straf.ord coun-
ty held q Christian Convention a. Do,,o. n
cember 8th, which was largely attended and
the discussions were unusually interestipe
Rev. j. d. Stewart free Win Baptist) Of
Dover was President and Rev. r. S. Stubbs
(MethOds) of Dover, Secretary.
The city Of Manchester is undergoing con-
siderable "uupleasantness" in regard to its
public schools, tue Catholics demanding spe.
cial privileges from the school committee.
The recent city election was more or less in
tiueDced by the question The Manchester
Mirror has been doing yeoman service against
the interference of churches and sects with
public affairs, and in recent issue at the close
of vigorous article denouncing the efforts of
party leaders to use the question for partisan
advantage the editor well says: 1--WE stand to
day where we have ever stood, in favor OF Civ
ing adopted citizens the same privileges as
those to the manor born" possess, but when
they ask for more it is tougher than we can
go'
Mr.. +. Il. Abbott Of this city recently pastor
OF the Independent Society, and previously
pastor of the Unitarian Society still remains
here and occasionally lectures on religious
subjects Hs has relinquished the name Of
Reverend, having renounced Christianity, and
disclaims the title
Bishop Bacon of your city, on the 4th in.
slant officiated at the Catholic church aud as.
sisted by Rev. Fathers Drummond Of this city
and Canovan Iof Great Falls administered the
rite of confirmation. Nearly 400 persons
were confirmed, men, women and children.
The Bishops address was eloquent and finely
given. 1t is some five years since he visited
Dover during the ministry of Rev Father
McShane. The Bishop promises TO aid the
Catholics here in the building of their new
church. The edifice will be 100 feet long, GO
feet wide and will cost $5O,OOO-a modest little
worshipping place.
Edwin Forrest, the celebrated tragedian is
announced TO appear Jan. 4. He of course
will visit Portland or augusta" 1t is a
marked episode in the amusement line in that
provincial CITY,"
A Musical Convention w. o. Perkins, of
Boston, manager, is to be held here Jan. 18th
and 18th. Dover in times past has been
some" on musical matters. 1t boasts Of a So
prano singer of unusual excellence, or rather
did, as Boston now is her residence, Miss Em-
ma Hamlin, daughter of Walcott HamIin,
Esq, whose effective and able service in the
Republican cause in Maine last fall are well
remembered and appreciated. Miss Hamln
recently sang in Portsmouth with Barnabee,
Annie S. Ryan, Whitney and others, and the
Chronicle says of her "Miss Hamlin took the
audience by storm and had very fattering
reception" Portland ought to secure her for
one of the grand concerts in the CISCO City.
The Cocheco river basin, near the centre of
the city. is easy of access and the past week
the skating has been glorious. The sight from
the bridge was a spirited and magnificent one.
No city has a finer natural skating park
Portland ought to "inaugurate" one nearer
than the Canal Basin. CocHEco,