The Portland daily press., 1869-07-10
The nIalne Unitarian Csnfsfenlle.,e.

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The meeting Of the Maine Conference of
Unitarian Churches was opened on Tuesday
evening by sermon by Rev. B. 81. Bailey of
Portland, the text being the 25th verse of the
I'd chapter of Johns Gospel-"He needed not
that any should testify of man, for he knew
what was in man." The sermon, which was
very able and interesting one, began with the
affirmation that the knowledge whlch Christ
had of human nature was not merely an intel
lectual comprehension, but was the insight Oh
love. This is the insight which the Christian
and the Church alike need. Among other IL
lustrations, the contrast was presented be-
tween the intellectual theories which have
taken form in the theology of large portion
of the Christian church, and true theology.
which should be based upon loving compre-
sion of human nature, like that which Christ
professed.
The sermon was followed by the admins
tration of the Lords supper, conducted by
Rev. Chas. Buck ofPortland.
The meetings of Wednesday morning were
introduced by prayer meeting, conducted by
f. NJ Sabine, ESQ., of Bangor
After this, in the absence of the President,
ident, took the chair, and the regular business
OF the Conference was commenced.
The following officers were chosen for the
coming year:
President-F. M. Sabine, Esq, of Bangor.
Vice Presdent--James White Esq, of Bel
fast.
Corresponding Secretary Rev. A. d.
Wheeler, d. ID.
Recording Secretary-The Rev. s. C. Beach
Treasurer-Mark P. Emery, ESQ.,, of Port
land
Committee on Missions-Rev. c. Palfrey,
d. D., Hon. s. H. Dale, of Bangor, Rev. VIM.
Il. Savary.
Executive Committee-Rev. G. c. Everett,
T. G. Hersey, Esq, of Portland, Rev. Joshua
Swami.
The Rev. A. d. Wheeler, the Secretary of
the Conference and the State Missionary, then
presented a very full and cheering report, de-
failing the position of Unitarianism in the
State, and his own labors during the year. 1t
appears that there are now nineteen Unitarian
societies in the State in active operation, and
six localities in addition where there is stated
Unitarian preaching. This is larger number
of societies than has ever been reported in the
State before.
found much interest in the truths he present
ed. His account of his experience in the un-
ion churches was very interesting.
After the report was read, the thanks of the
Conference were presented to Dr. Walker, and
an animated and protracted discussion then
arose in regard to the subjects presented in
his report. The state Of the society in Farm
ington was particularly dwelt upon, where
there has been gathered a large and regular
congregation under the preaching of the Rev.
Mr.. Hayden, but where there is great need of
church edifce; and the Conference finally
voted to propose to the churches of the State
to raise during the year the sum of $4,000, to
be given to the society in Pennington, to assist
in building a church, under such conditions as
the Executive Committee shall Judge expedi-
ent.
In the afternoon Rev. D. N. Sheldon, d. D.,
read very able, cellar and thoughtful essay on
the expression of the religious sentiment
which the age demands, for which the Confer
ence voted him its thanks, and requested a
copy for publication in the denominational pa
POASs n VSAy iuoCIcctluS uiSCuSSlou on CQ6
subjects presented followed. Seevral clergy
men of other denominations being present,
were invited to speak, and Rev. Mr.. Thurston
OF Searsport uttered hearty protest against
some of the views that had been presented -
which was pleasantly received.
Avote was passed during the afternoon, in
structing the Executive Committee to petition
the Legislature for an act of incorporation for
the Conference.
In the evening, in the absence of Rev. s. Ell.
Hepworth, from whom telegram had been
received announcing his unexpected inability
to be present, Rev. s. J. Livermore of Boston
presented ably and earnestly the claims of the
American Unitarian Association, after which
a collection was taken up. The Conference
then repaired to the new hall, where a bounti-
full collation. was prepared. The evening was
enlivened by music, and made pleasant by the
kind welcome of the hosts, and the inter
change of greeting and conversation. The
flowers, which formed part of the decoration,
should be especially mentioned.
The number of delegates from the State is
said to be greater than ever before, and in the
-essnfng sefvfces boo. be-, e..
with large congregations. Thus pleasantly
closed the second day of the Conference.-The
gor Whig.