The Portland daily press., 1869-07-03

-0n Sunday last, thirty-two persons Joined
the Congregational church at Washington,
ID. c., being the largest number that has ever
joined 1t at one time.
The present numerical strength of the
Baptist denomination in the United States,
according 10 the Yearbook, is ], ,121 ,9SS. This
shows an increase over last year Of 12.062.
The South Baptist church and society IN
South Boston have recently borne witness to
their present prosperity in liquidating hoat-
ing debt of $1,000.
The congregation of ST. Johns Methodist
Episcopal church, Brooklyn, on Sunday last,
after q sermon by the pastor, DIR. L. G. An
drews, contributed the magnificent collection
of thirty thousand dollars as special gift to
cancel the floating debt against the church.
Five adults received the rite of baptism by
Rev. Mr.. Smith, pastor of the Free Will Bap-
tst church, Topsham, ON Sunday last. Mr..
Smith also baptised five persons three weeks
since.
We are happy TO learn that Hon. ID. IL.
Boody of New York, has recently paid his
magnificent subscription of $4,000 and inter
est-amounting to $4,000, to Bowdon Col
lege,
Rev. Roswell D. Hitchcock, D. D., has
been compelled by impaired eyesight to sus-
pend bis professional labofs. At present he
can neither read nor write.
The returns of the vote on Lay Delegation
in the Methodist Episcopal church, as receiv-
ed by the Methodist, foot up as follows: N lumber
of votes received, So ,409; for Lay Delegation,
40, ,365; against Lay Delegation, 1904; majori-
ty for Lay Delegation, 1851.
The free church movement is growing in
favor very fast. Several large and influential
bodies have practically settled upon the free
pew system. During the week two important
Congregational conferences in Massachusetts
declared for it.
Rev. Smith Baker, Jr., has resigned his
charge at Orono to accept the pastorate of the
Central Church, Bath.
Mr.. e. p. Wilson of the Senior Glass Ban.
gor Seminary has been called to the church in
| Orono.
The Congregational Church in Kenduskeae
has opened separate place of worship and in
tend to secure stated preaching there.
The impression has no doubt somewhat
| extensively prevailed that the society o.
Friends has been gradually diminishing in
numbers and strength for some time past. II
appears, however, from the reports at the
yearly meeting of the Orthodox body, held il
New York recently, that such is not the case
The annual meeting of the Maine Confer
ence of Unitarian churches will be held il
Belfast, commencing Tuesday evening, July
| sixth.
Rev. N j. Wheeler, who has for severa
| years filled the pastorate Of the Baptist soci
! ETY. in Skowhegan SO acceptably, has rendered
his resignation, to take place the second Of
third Sabbath of July. Mr.. Wheelers resig
nation will not only be deeply regretted by biz
own society, but by his denomination in this
section and other religious societies in that vi
| cinity. m
Bishop Neeley has just completed toul
through the eastern portion of the State. Or
| June 10Th he preached the sermon on the oc
casion Of first dedication to God of The new
| church edifice at Milford On the evening o.
the same day services were held at St. james
church, Oldtown.
From the Bangor Whig, we also get the
following, which will be Of especial interest t.
our Episcopal friends. The Board of Missions
OF the Episcopal church in this State, held 9
session in st. Johns church in Bangor, or
Tuesday evening and Wednesday,, when pub
lie services were held and sermons were
| preached by the Rev. Messrs. Leffingwell O
Gardiner, and Root of Portland. A business
meeting of the Board was held the afternoon
of Wednesday, and public meeting in The
evening at both of which Bishop Neeley pre-
| sided. On the latter occasion addresses in be-
half OF Christian work in this diocese were
made by the Rev. Messrs. Marsden, Wash
burn, Chapio. and the Bishop, and a collec
ton was received in aid of tee same cause