The Portland daily press., 1870-06-22

was read, which referred to the great want of
ministers, and the efforts of the Board of the
| Convention in securing men and supplying
destitute churches with preaching, and it was
highly gratifying to learn that their efforts
had not been in vain; churches have been
formed, baptisms to the number of 175, and
other additions have been made to the churches
and quite number have very hopeful pros
poets.
1t was moved that the Report be laid upon
| the table; after which the meeting adjourned
after prayer by Father Ripley.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Hymn 787 was sung. Prayer by Rev. I. Le-
land.
Rev. j. w. Day. delegate from the East
Maine Methodist Conference, presented the
fraternal greetings of that body, and reported
10 brief manner, the success that had attend
ed the laoors of their part of the Methodist
body, which was very encouraging.
Reports from the different Associations were
presented by different ministers, which repre-
scented the following facts: The great desttu-
ton of ministers, each association suffering
from this lack-the different associations not
without evidences of Gods blessing in the con-
version of souls and baptism of believers and
additions to the church. New churches have
been organized during the year and places of
worship have been erected and several parson.
ages in the course of erection, and not least,
the success of the labors of the Rev. J. A.
Ferguson as colporteur in the Saco and
York associations. Several brethren have been
ordained to the work of the ministry.
Tha c,1h; ne <ha o1o;, sc
was presented by Rev. I. Leland, of Topsham,
in brief speech, remarking that he sympa-
thized with the object of the Convention. Il
have been trying" said he, "to look over the
field, and I confess, I am not satisfied as to
whether there are any feeble churches Two
hundred and sixty three churches in the Con-
vention; 55 churches number less than %
members each; 65 churches number 25 and 80
members each; Is churches number between
80 and 100 members; 81 numbering over 100
members. We cannot always get at the
strength of church by numerical estimate.
1t is we'll to look at the local surroundings
The inhabitants of the State number about
600, 900; about 10000 in our cities and villages
aud the balance is scattered over the wide
space. Some churches may be feeble in their
ACSouiOos. aiO tuCy " w ACSiCCbCu VI uOuA-
ished' We think the latter. They should be
nourished, and one great reason why they
should be attended to is that there are souls to
be saved. Then these small churches are the
feeders of the larger churches. The young
persons of these places when they grow up
seek these centres of influence and their char
acters are formed in their early home, and il
greatly depends upon this Convention to de-
termine what their character shall be. The
Congregational body regard the case of feeble
churches as parts of their work. We owe it
to our denomination to care for the NJ, NOT
that would have other denominations lessen
their efforts, but rather increase them, but we
ought to work for our own deDomination,-we
must employ more dollars and dimes"
Committee on Nominations reported the
same officers as last year:-President, Rev. A
X. P. Small; Vice President, J. G. WIFI e;
Corresponding Secretary, Rev. j. Kicker; Re-
cording Secretary, Rev. s. L. B. Chase; Treas
urer, Prot. J. B. Foster; Auditor, Dea. W. A.
| F. Stevens; Trustees, same as before, with the
| exception of those who have removed from the
| State. These officers were balloted for and
| elected.
Reading of Flynn and Scripture by Rev.
Mr.. Burrage, of Waterville. Prayer by Rev.
DR.. Smaller, in which tender allusion was
made to the death of the Rev. j. Hubbard,
Jr., who was to have preached the sermon.
Rev. F. 7. Hazelwood, of Bangor 1st Bap-
fist Church, delivered an able sermon "The
rejection of the testimony of Moses and the
prophets there is no hope of salvation" Texts
Luke 16, 81. The reasoning was very conclu-
sive and impressive.
Rev. Mr.. Warren, of Boston, closed the
m Getting by prayer.
EVENING SESSION.
Sung hymn IA; prayer by Rev. E. Pepper,
| followed by a short speech by Rev. G. p.
Matthews, referring to the claims of churches
in seven centers of population and influence,
basng them upon the position of these church.
es, we are to 90 where there are mea, seek to
| save their souls and thus lead them 10 conse-
crate their property to Christ; also based it
upon precedent, citing the example of Christ
| and his apostles who went to cities and villa
| ges.
j. G. White, Esq, of Bangor, made few re-
| marks on the magnitude of the field, which
was followed by sermon delivered by Prof.
> Smith of Colby University: Text, I'd Cor. 8, A;
which was an able and logical presentation Of
the assimilating power of beholding Christ.
| illustrations were drawn from the family re-
lationship, characteristics of nations and the
character of great men, they were opposite as
well as beautiful.
Report of the committee Of arrangements
was presented and the the appointment OF
Bro. Melcher as delegate to Congregational
Conference; after which prayer was offered by
Rev. w. o. Holman, and the meeting adj
journed