The Portland daily press., 1871-06-17
III r, p Il Il = y .
RELIGIOUS Department.

The whole have 4917 members, gain over
last year of 10; baptisms "a, OF which AZ were
of infants. In the Sabbath schools there ale
5l05Ia gain of 105. For benevolent purposes
S1O,512, and for memorial year are reported
$54,250. The benefit of permanent mlhst'y
is shown in several churches, as jill ohe'
whose church membership has increased sew
en-, its Sabbath school5ninety and its charities
by 1869, over the previous year, when pastor
less.
Gorham has spent $1,000 in Improvements
on its church and chapel; South Freepurt
paid off debt of $500, and High street Port
land one of $4,000.
Rev. &. N. Marden is unanimously invited
to settle at Pennington, successor of Rev. r.
B. Howard. Salary $500.
At Brunswick there were last Sabbath
twenty-tour baptsms by Rev. Mr.. MILAN at
the liver, and two in the Methodist church
The Free Baptists had four the same day.
Seven baptisms and seventeen admissions
were had at the Baptist church in Gardiner
Prot. Barbour preached unique and i'm
presslve discourse at New Gloucester the
18th, on the separateness OF Christ from SIN
ners as shown in his origin, his character
his deeds, death and present power over men.
That of Rev. e. II. Byington of Brunswick
made also favorable impression On those
who have been looking for man of more
than ordinary merit to take DR.. Adams place.
His theme was "ChrIstians the light of the
world" and illustrated from scripture and
from history in an effective manner The
"Nearness of Christians to Christ and to each
other" was the theme of discussion by the
Conference. Pastors Hincks, Fem, Parker,
Abbott and Adams participated. The Law
members, with two three exceptions, did not
avail themselves of the opportunity of debate.
The right OF woman to talk in meeting elicit
ed, as usual, great deal of interest But
Two insisted Oh literal application of Paul's
words as to Silence" while the evident SYM
pathes OF the audience were in an opposite
direction. Mary Magdalene, it was said, was
the hrst preacher of the Resurrection. She
and the woman of Samaria were street
preachers. They and others since, fulfil the
promise that our "sons and daughters shall
prophecy" The need of more fellowship and
sociability was emphasized, as opposed to the
"odious, atomstc form OF life" In which some
are isolated The religion of hand-shaking
was alluded to and the need of social recogn-
tion in the sanctuary, people among them
selves, without formal introduction. and of the
preacher who may be a stranger. TIE follow
ing questions were asked and answered.
l. How can we interest the church members
in the Sabbath School? Convince them of
its importance. Awaken their interest in the
Bible itself. Get good teachers and have
Bible service every Sunday, half day.
a. How relieve Christian dependency arising
from struggles with besetting sin? Go to
Christ. There alone is strength to overcome
it.
3. How promote the interest of a PRAYER
meeting? Have the women talk ;close at the
end OF the hour promptly; don't sing from
book but from memory and often; let all re.
peat Bible verses; speak sitting and speak
snort. These are helps, not the steam, the
moving power, but the oil that removes fric-
ton.
A. Can we keep the Golden Rule? Yes.
otherwise it would not be enioined. The
trouble is we are too exacting of each other.
s. How reach vagrant youth who spend the
Sabbath in pleasure? Bring them to the
hearing of the gospel by systematic visitation
on the part of the church, by free seats, at
least half the Sabbath and by making the ser
vices interesting. A Chldren's choir is an at
traction in some Protestant Sanctuaries and
might be in all. If the Migrants won't come,
take the gospel to them. Out door meetings
may be held half the Sabbaths of the year.
9: Shall we let FESTIVE boys go, who desire
to be rid of our control? BY no means. but
with patience, kindness, ingenuity and love-
= win them.
q. Is secret prayer test of plety? Yes.
il real and not formal prayer, and Intelligent
lylofered.
g.. Should the Lords supper be always pri-
vately observed. No. Our dress. posture
and otheri circumstances are different from
tnose OF the disciples. Moreover, by the SUD-
per we "do show forth Literally preach) the
Lords death" to the witnessing world.
8. Can we have assurance of acceptance
with God? Most certainly.
10. What is the prayer offaith, task what
you will, etc." A belief that God will give
the blessing asked or better
II. Shall women speak in meeting? Yes
indeed, but We would neither teaze them to
do it, nor seod them for not doing it.
Edith OGorman the converted nun, a
member of Baptist Church in New JERSEY.
gives startling expose in her "Convent Life
Unveiled Of the private life of priests and
nuns. We do not relish the acrimonious
tone of some of her statements, nor the self
admiration of others, but we cannot but feel
that the volume deserves wide circulation
as warning TO American Pedestrians The
Connecticut Publishing Co. give it a Eeat
DRESS
Rev. A. Maxwell of Weld is engaged until
next January with the Congregational
Church, Pownal.
Prof. Barbour will preach the Baccalaura-
ate at Andover Seminary, and address the
Porter Rhetorical Society week after next as.
Dr. Parks physician forbids his undertaking
this labor.
Rev. Smith Baker has resigned his charge
at Orono, and it is expected that he will ac-
cept the call at Lowell
The 10th meeting of the Penobscot county
Conference was held this week, Tuesday and
wednesday at Dedham. Prof. Herrick was
preacher. Discussions on personal holiness
and church activity were had; also Cues
ton Box. The Oxford Conferences met The
aame days at South Paris. Rev. Dr. Warren
OF Gorham, and Rev. Mr.. Haskell of the Re-
FORM ochooi were among the speakers. A
cn0lr OF children aided in the service of song,
Rev. MIR. Richardson of New Castle has
1een preaching at Cumberland Centre and
desire is expressed that he will take charge
OF the parish where Rev. U. w. Small has
labored the past year.
lions Advocate notes additions to the
churches in Fayette, Cambridge, Thomaston,
and North Haven. Rev. G. E. Tucker is
now financial agent of this paper.
A woman named Esther B. Huddeston, is
attracting considerable attention in Cincin-
natti as a preacher. She appeared in the
Congregational Church in that city, being
introduced by the pastor, the Rev. Henry D.
Moore, formerly of this city, and her first
discourse was upon the general subject of
Woman's work and usefulness She IS said
TO be of Quaker extraction, intellectual i'm
appearance, with good expansive forehead
sharply-chiseled face, and a low but richly
ineioulOus voice. Laymen also conducted |