The Portland daily press., 1870-08-15
swedenborgian Convention.


The second day of the convention was opened
at 10 o'clock Saturday morning by reading oil
the scriptures and prayer by the Rev. B. +
Barrett, of Philadelphia. The constitution
was changed by striking out the word import.
| ant in Sec. 6, Art II. so that one fifth of the
members may call for the record of the yeas
and nays on the vote on any question, and
dropping the portion of the section providing
that the delegate or delegates who NAV be
present from any society shall be entitled TO
cast the vote of that society, as if the entire
delegation were present An amendment with
regard to changing the constitution was also
ADDED The 9TH standing rule providing for
the annual election of a standing committee,
called the Book and Tract Committee, was
stricken off.
Mr.. j. p. Baxter read the report of the Com
mittee on Tracts. The New Church Tract So
ciety was founded two years ago for the pur-
pose of circulating such tracts as diffuse a
knowledge of the truths of Swedenborgin-
They had issued six tracts which had a wide
circulation Any iperson who desired could
become member by contributing one dollar
quarterly, and life member by contributing
$25. The committee suggest in their report
the formation of local tract organizations.
headed by the pastor and composed of adults
and children those special object should be
the distribution of tracts. After discussion
participated in by Rev. Mr.. Hayden, Mr.. Pin.
gree and Rev. Mr.. Barrett, it was voted that
the report be recommitted with view of max
ing it more general SO as to refer to all tracts
IN the interests OF the New Church and not
specially to the New Church Tract Society,
Rev. e. w. Stearns read an interesting re-
port of his labors during the time he has been
engaged in this State. He began his labors
December 22l in Saccarrappa. Since that
time he has preached or lectured eighty times.
he has baptized three persons during his min
istry in this State, and administered the sacra-
ment to some twenty-five. In Gardiner,
where he is now located, the society is intend
ing to build a new temple OF worship in the
spring. In Richmond meetings have not been
held of late but will commence again in the
spring, when it is thought the society there
will provide themselves with house of wor-
ship. He speaks encoursgingly OF the pros
poets in the towns where he has preached, and
suggests the need of more Jealous effort Al
ter the reading of Mr.. Stearns' report the So
cety proceeded to the election of officers for
the ensuing year, resulting as follows:
President-Rev. S. r.. Dixie, Bath.
Corresponding Secretary-J. P. Baxter,
Portland.
Recording Secretary-Rev. G. F. Stearns,
Gar diner.
Treasurer-Oliver Gerrish, Portland
Executive GommitteeaBeni. Kingsbury,Jr.,
Portland; j. B. Sewall, Bath; H. b. Hoskins,
Gardiner; I. s. Whitman, Bangor; j. G.
BoyntOn, Richmond; G.. II. Billings, N Mon
mouth; J. Ii. Morse, Mt. Vernon.
Committee on Jonrnal-Rev S. f. Dixie,
Rev. G. f. Stearns.
1t was voted that the next annual meeting
of the convention be held at Bath on the last
Friday in September, 1871.
In the afternoon some little routine business
was transacted, and an able discourse was do
livered by Rev. VIM. B. Hayden.
EVENING
Saturday evening was devoted to addresses.
Hon. Benjamin Kingsbury, Jr., presided, and
opened the meeting with some eloquent and
pertinent remarks. Ee was followed by Rev.
f. Barrett, of Philadelphia, Rev. G. F.
Stearns of Richmond, Me-, Hiram Mills ESQ,
If Lawrence, Mass, Oliver Gerrish ESD, of
Portland, Horace Smith Esq, of Boston, Rev.
VIM. II. Benade of Pittsburg, Penn, Mr.. L.
3. Pingree of Portland, and Rev. S. II. Dixie
Of Bath. The addresses were all of an inter-
oiting character and were attentvely listened
to by the large congregation assembled. The
meeting closed little after 10 o'clock with ben
edction from Rev. Mr.. Dixie.
SUNDAY SERVICES
In the morning discourse was preached by
Rev. Mr. Dyke, of Bath. Holy Communion
was administered in the afternoon, Rev.
Messrs Hayden and Dyke officiating. In the
evening discourse was delivered by Rev. Mr..
Barrett, of Philadelphia, Pa. Both of these dis
courses were of very high o,der and were
listened to by very large congregations.
The Convention has been the most interest
ng and successful one ever held in this State
1t is evident, from the tone of all the addresses
made and from the interest which has pre-
vailed throughout the session of this body that
The doctrine of Swedenburg is steadily, though
it may be by slow degrees increasing in this