The Portland daily press., 1871-03-25

SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1871.
Religious Depar'tm emit.
PORTLAND.

i eS Items of intelligence from the churches, Sun
be wsIeosS ana missionary enterprises OF Maine VIII
Saturday. IN 'his coiu"n e'e'S
The Portland Methodist churches are me-
pairing for the annual Conference which ia IN
be held at Chestnut Street Church, April 27.
Bishop Ames is to preside and distinguished
guests from abroad are expected.
Rev. w. Ii. III. Pilsbury, Congress Street
Church, received several new members last
week and administered baptism to others.
Rev. M. H. Williams of the Central Church
spends day or two in Philadelphia the pres
sent week.
Rev. E. r. Keyes formerly pastor of the
Chestnut street M. E. church in this city, has
received and accepted call to the pastorate
OF the Swedenborgian Church in Philadelphia,
recently vacated by the resignation of Rev.
MIR. Barrett, wh o will devote his time princi-
pally to writing upon the doctrines of the
New Church.
Rev. Samuel Harrison Of this city has new
address on the claims of the colored people on
their christian brethren which he would be
happy to give as opportunity is presented.
The Newbury st. church, of which he is pas
tor deserves well of the strongest churches.
Considerable religious interest is enjoyed at
Westbrook, in the Duck Pond neighborhood.
Meetings have been held by the MethodIsts
and Congregationalists and several conver-
sions have occurred.
An awakening interest in South Hiram,
Cnppish ap1 Pa hac
Methodists.
Rev. G. W. Blackman's society, NewHeld
received additions last week and hope to have
new church edifice erected soon.
Rev. NJ. Wight of Goodwi'ns Mills, Rev. J.
F. Hutchins of Phillips, Rev. 81. w. Bolton Of
Houlton and Rev. T. Hill of Windsor are en-
couraged by revivals in their respective fields
of labor.
Unisersalist preaching is to be resumed at
Wells, and a church of that order is to be
formed at Skowhegan.
Rev. E. c. Bolles declines the call to Salem,
Mass.
Rev. G. W. Bicknell of Portsmouth is called
to the Universalist Church at Biddeford.
The Readfield Conference, recently held at
Winthrop was unusually interesting. Refor-
nations were reported by nearly all the pas
tors as in progress among their societies. Rev.
DIR. Webber received votes of thanks on his
retirement from the post of Presiding Elder.
The Mitchells have continued in the dea-
conate without interruption for 141 years at
the First Church, Yarmouth.
valued correspondent writes us that it Is
palpable fact that "the relation of pulpit to
pew is a commercial one and consequently
one that IS more or less slavish. There are
very few occupants of pulpits who can afford
to be comfortably independent In thought and
free in expression"-and more of this sort,
for which we have not room. He may have
noticed the recent action of two prominent
parishes near Boston, who have voted out
their ministers while at the same lime they
endorse their ministerial and Christian char
acter.
Rev. Mr.. Grimes, colored minister OF Bos-
ton, pronounces, the story of his i'll treatment
on the Fall River and New York boats
hoax.
The Congregational Church at Calais, Rev.
VIM. Carruthers pastor, Is about to remodel its
place OF worship.
The Herald and Presbyterian, with grim
humor, says that trials arc good to humble q
pastor, and gives six methods by which par
ishioners may mortiiy their minister. They
are, in brief, these: "Hamper him in salary
matters; complain of infrequent visits; tell
him how pleasant it is to have exchanges; If
written sermons are used, commend unwrit-
ten and uice rersa; express wonder that ev-
cry case Of sickness is not known and attend
ed to, and tattle about affairs at the parson-
age, especially in reference to the children"
One infeIs from the experience Of this West
ern preacher and editor that life thereiis not
very unlike that here.
Rev.L.S. Tripp Of Surry, Me-, acknowledges
| visit on lst inst, and the donation of $31 80
with flour, pork, &c., amounting in all to up
wards of $50.
Rev. G. Parker has begun his labors with
the Baptist church at North Livermore.
A Boston paper last week published the
emphatic avowal of "tLree tof the best edu
Gated" Romanists in reference TO another st
sect had power to repeat it. ave would; 1t is
right to kill herctics."
Scribner's Monthly for April, has a de ply
interesting review OF THE Martyr. Church of
of Madagascar, whose history as given by
Ellis, forms one OF the most thrilling, ever
published and the most convincing evidence
that can be desired of the power of Christian
ity to civilize as well as toredeem.
Rev. DIR. Barrows in his pungent appeal
Maine and Congregationalism," urges the
need of the Publishing House to carry a work
forward which the pulpit alone cannot do
Out OF 8, 3,159 churches nearly one third have
no pastors or regular supplies yet the Theo-
iogicll Seminarles 1.-THE past year furnished
but IA to meet the wants OF the home field, to
say nothing of the foreign work. Therefore
he urges the need of sustaining the printing
presses of the denomination.
The Presbyterian board, Philadelphia, have
just published new Hand Book for funerals,
the scripture arranged not In set orders, but
under separate heads, for the convenience d
pastors.
/ Ano VueCHWuH uHu HttNect0f says lnat lns
Roman Catholics of Marlboro, Mass, have
broken up one meeting, March 9th, which
was to have been held by Baptist minister
but that this week the friends of free speech
are rallying. "We shall soon know whether
a Romish mob can deprive minister Of the
Gospel Of one OF the greatest liberties grant
ed by the Constitution of our Common
wealth."
New Publicasions.
FROM FOURTEEN TO FoURscoRE. BY Mrs
8. w. Jewett. Published by Hurd q
Houshton, New York. For sale by Loring