The Portland daily press., 1868-10-16
Letter from Lewiston.


To the Editor of the Press: i 10 e. -..., 4.s.
The cattle show and fair of the Androscog.
gin Agricultural Society, held in this city, was
concluded last evening. The attendance upon
the admirable fair at Central Hall was quite
good throughout, and all were highly pleased
with the extensive and varied exhibition.
gFH1e REPUBLICAN REJoICINGs
At sunset last night the Republicans of this
city announced to their Democratic neigbbors
the cheerful result of the October elections by
the firing of cannon and the ringing of jubi-
liant bells. We now feel that the country is
safe-that Lewiston with all the rest of the
land, is to thrive wonderfully during the next
eight years of Grants Presidency. llEti
THE UNIvERsALIsT ASSOCIATION.
The Kennebec Association Of Universalists,
which embraces, / think, the counties of Ken
nebec, Sagadahoc and Androscoggin, has been
holding two days convention, at the Bates
street church, in this city. Yesterday fore
noon the convention organized with the choice
of Rev. q. Thompson, of West Waterville, for
President, and I. w. Coburn, of Lewiston, for
Secretary. A committee on business, with
Rev. Mr.. More, of Augusta, for chairman, was
then appointed, after which was held an inter-
esting social conference. In the afternoon
Rev. Mr.. Smith, of Deer6eld, delivered SER
mon. Then followed meeting of the council,
and a consideration of the steps which should
be taken in order to promote missionary en-
terprse within the limits of the4Associaton.
Rev. Mr.. Thompson said there was great
need of missionary work in Kennebec county.
The religious shell which crystalized there if
ty years ago and had continued to this day
should be broken. There must be preaching,
as of old, in the schoolhouses everywhere. The
missionary work which had produced such
good results in Oxford county, making the
Universalsts the leading denomination, must
be done in Kennebec.
Rev. Mr.. Steere, of Lewiston, declared him
self now, as ever, heartily in favor of mission.
airy labor. He would like to see plan of op-
erations agreed upon, if it could be carried out;
but if there was to be no field work, he would
have nothing done on paper.
Rev. MIR. Quinby, editor of the Gospel Ban
ner, said that this talk about missionary work.
implied that there must be money raised, If
missionaries were to be sent out to preash in
the schoolhouses, as they should, they must be
well paid. There must be some systematic
method of raising funds. Nor are there work
ers enough to be had. Nor did he believe in
the present organization of the church. It
was sadly inefficient. Every year he grew
more and more in favor of the Methodist svs-
tenn, with its Bishops and all And then ne
believed in "revivals of religion" too. He
wished to see continued and enthusiastic
meetings held.
By the way, Buckle says of Wesley. the
founder of Methodism, that he was "the first
of theological statesmen" and Macaulay saws
of him, that his genius for government was
not inferior to that of Richelieu."
On motion, Mr.. Quinby, Mr.. Coburn and
Mr.. Stevens were appointed committee to
report on plan for missionary work.
In the evening there was a large and ami
mated social conference. Also another in the
forenoon of to-day, after which came report of
business committee, and brief discussion
Greater stability OF ministerial sett lement was
strongly advocated.
The committee on missionary work reported
land report adopted) in favor of holding two
days meetings at the following places and
times, and by the designated clergymen, to
wit: Winthrop: Stevens, Steere and More; I'd
second week in December: Sidney; Thomp-
son, Quinby and More; second week in Janu.
ary: Bowdoinham; Gunnison, Steere and
Drew; fourth week in January: Litchfeld:
johnson, More and Drew; first week in Feb
ruary: Richmond: Thompson, Gunnison and
Quimby; fourth week in February: Webster;
Stevens, Gunnison and Smith; second week
in March E
After the acceptance of this report, a sermon
was preached by Rev. Mr.. More, of Augusta.
.eV" Mr johnson is to deliver the next "occa-
slonal Sermon" ....Js 81. .s......z
LII ''ie afternoon there Were communion SER
VICES ana the convention separated.
BARLOW