The Portland daily press., 1868-06-04

Maiue Unitarian Conference.
Yesterday morning prayer meeting was
held at the church, beginning at l-2 o.
clock, the exercises of which were conducted
by Rev. DIR. palfrey of Belfast. At 10 o'clock
the business meeting of the Conference assem-
bled, Gen. ]. G. Caldwell, the President, in
the chair. Gen. Caldwell expressed his gratif-
cation with the large number of churches rep
resented on this,occasion. At the last meeting
of the Conference the work already begun and
the plans for the future in special localities
were spoken of, and he was glad to say that as
a result they were joined to-day by new
and vigorous church from the eastern part of
the State (Castine), which is represented here
by "a delegates. LIS object is the fraternal
union of all churches-a practical carrying
out of the teachings of Christ, that all men
are brothers. He hoped that the discus
sions of the important questions to be presented
would not be confined to those who made the
ology special study. Good suggestions and
practicable hints were often drawn from the ex-
perience of the laity, and shows that Unita-
riansm IS not in its deeadence, but has strong
vitality, and its influence is felt inside.
1he following churches are represented in
the Conference by clerical and lay delegates as
follows.
Kennebunk, Rev. Mr.. Swan; Saco, Rev.
MIR. Nichols First Parish Portland, Rev. Mr.
Bailey Park Street. do. Rev. Mr.. Hewes
Brunswick, Rev. Mr.. Copeland; Augusta,
Do, NJ, poa.L Watorv;u. Do, n. Shal
don Belfast, Rev. DIR. Palfery Bangor, Rev.
Mr.. Everett; Ellsworth, Rev. Mr. Savary
Calais, Rev. Mr.. NOVEL; Eastport, Rev. Mr..
Crafts Houlton, Rev. Mr.. Murray; Castine,
Rev. Mr.. Clark Pennington no pastor; Sac
carappa, Rev. Mr.. Hewes, temporary supply
Freeport, Rev. Mr.. Copeland, do; Thomaston
no pastor.
The Castine church has been formed since
the last annual Convention, and is represented
to- day more fully than any other, "a delegates
being present.
Rev. Mr. Bailey welcomed the Conference in
brief speech, congratulating the friends upon
the omen that bright sunshine and clear skies
which we are blessed with after "a long period
of dark clouds gives. He hoped that those
who had come from home to attend these meet
ings would be benefited as it would do the
Society good with whom they met. lie refer
red to the meeting of the Bible Society at that
place on Sunday night and related two incl
dents that had just come within his knowledge
as indications that there was a growing bond
of sympathy between all Protestant denomina-
tons.
The Treasurer's Report shows the receipts
for the past year to have been $54S. 80; ex-
penditures, $45l "a; balance in treasury
$92.l4.
Rev. DIR. Wheeler, the State Missionary,
gave detailed and very interesting report of
his labois and missionary experiences for the
year. The whole number of Unitarian church,
es in Maine is % of which l5 are specially
alive and vigorous. The following gentlemen
were chosen officers for the ensuing year
Gen. John C. Caldwell. Ellsworth, President
Hon. F. M. Sabine, of Bangor. Vice President
Rev. A. d. Wheeler, d. D., Topsham, Secre-
tary, Mark P. Emery, Portland, Treasurer,
Rev. w. 4. Copeland, Brunswick. Rec. Sec.
Rev. G. Palfrey, of Belfast, Hon. S. H. Dale,
of Bangor, and Rev. C. G.. Everett, Bangor,
Executive Committee.
Rev. J. L. Hewes Of Portland, DIR. +. W.
Morton, Kennebunk and Rev. J. Il. q. Mich
OILS of Saco, Committee on Missions.
Rev. Charles Lowe, Secretary of the Ameri-
can Unitarian Association was then invited to
address the meeting.
After the conclusion of Mr.. loves remarks,
reports concerning the work Of the church in
different parts of the. State were listened to,
and continued into the afternoon session.
The discussion of the question, "What are
some of the encouragements and discourage
ments of the churches % was the next in order.
lhe debate was opened by Rev. c. c. Everett
of Bangor.
The services last evening were highly en-
ioyed by an appreciative audience. The SER
mon by Rev. DR.. Thompson of Jamaica Plains
was admirably written and earnestly delivered.
The text was, Christ came into the world to
seek and to save that which is lost. He treat
ed it in a novel and interesting manner. 1t
was a very able discourse and listened to with
marked attention. He did not discuss specu-
lative points nor speak of theological doc
trines, but told how Christ sought and saved
Ouc lOSJ III ILLS WOTlu. Ilc we CUulu uOU
rise towards heaven alone, bnt must take 9TH
ers with us. One of his illustrations will long
be remembered. There is a train of cars con-
tanning first, second and even third classes OF
passengers coupled together. The first could
not move without taking the others along with
it. And he urged his hearers to "mind their
couplings" But we have not space to give
even a meagre oatline of this very able SER
mon.
The choir gave some splendid music on the
occasion. Kotzschmar's TIE Deum was rem
dered in fine style. Mrs. Harriet Cammet
Wetherbee never sang better. Portland may
well be proud of such vocalist.
RAILROAD MEETING YEsTERDAY.-Promptly
to the call large number of the voters of the
city met at City Hall to respond to the demand
made in behalf of the Portland & Rochester
Railroad, for an immediate loan of 800, 900 to
ins1re the completion of the road to Alfred.
Hon. Josiah II. Dummond was chosen Moder-
ator. The following propositions were sub
mitted under the. articles of the warrant, by s.
J. Anderson, Esq, and adopted seriatin,, with
complete unanimity
Voted, Two-thirds of the present concurring
That the city forthwith raise the of one hundred
thousand dollars, and appropriate the same under
the provisions of the statutes of Maine, approved
February 2Sth 1867, entitled can authorizing any
city town in this State raise money to aid in the
ofany railroad in the State" and of the
act explanatory thereof, approved March 6h 1865
aid in the construction of the Portland Il Rochester
between Saco river and Alfred village in
this state prorded the aid to be extended to said
Company by said city under any past future vote
shall not including the aid hereby granted exceed in
the whole seven hundred thousand dollars.
V0ted TwO-thirds of the voters present concurring
That the said sum of one hundred thousand dollars
be raised by loan and that the city issue its bonds
therefor in such sums and in such time the Mayor
and Aldermen shall determine, with semi-annual
coupons for interest, attached at not exceeding Elk
per cent. per annum said bonds not to be issued or
delivered by the city at less than their par value and
said Company shall have the right of purchasing the
same mt their said par value.
Poted Two-thirds Of The voters present concurring
That the raised be forthwith delivered said
Portland Il Rochester Railroad Company for the pur-
poses aforesaid upon condition that said Company
shall execute to the said city its bond secured by
mortgage of all its property and franchises the whole
in such form as the Mayor and Aldermen shall direct,
conditioned that said Company will pay such bonds
and coupons as they become due, and surrender the
same to the city as paid without expense to said city,
and will forever hold said city harmless from all
claims against said city by reason of said bonds and
coupons; and upon the condition further, that said
Compeny will execute to said city its bonds with
sureties and in form satisfactory to the Mayor and
Aldermen. conditioned that said Company will COM
pete said road to Alfred Village within six months
after securing said sum- that said sum shall be
raised and appropriated under such regulations
as the Board of Mayor and Aldermen shall prescribe.
OUR TREEs.-We have been informed, by
good authority, that many of our trees about
own are being damaged by the practice of
L. I.