Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-10-12
MOLAssES-N. O. 90.
SPAS TURPENTINE 10,
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fBEiGHTS TO LIVERPOOL Cotton,
Methodist State Convention.
FIRST DAY-AFTERNooN.


The convention assembled at 2 o'clock.
After some preliminary business, an essay
''On the Comparative Statistics of Methodsm
in Maine," was presented by Rev. d. B.
Randall. The essayist after brief init oduc-
ton, presented several tables illustrating by
figures the various topics contained in the
essay. We present brief synopsis as fol-
lows:
From 1910 to 1850 there was decrease of
1859, owing to the reaction from the Miller
excitement, the Wesleyan secession and the
excitement connected with the diversion of
the church in 1874. The Congregationalists
gained during this time SIS and the Baptist
lost GAO. From 1850 to 1860 the Methodist
gained 3641. From 1860 to 1870 there was
decrease of 480, occasioned by the war ex-
elements of lS6l-5. The Congregationalists
report in 1870 one minister less than in 1860,
and gain of 4S9 members. The Baptist,
during this decade report decrease of ten
ministers and 2029 members. The F. W.
Baptists report decrease of 81 ministers
| and ~ members. During the last year the
Methodists gained IS travelling preachers
and BIG members. The Congregationalists
report during last year loss of 1876 men,
bers and the F. w. Baptist a gain of IL min
| listers and 270 members.
The educational interests have also pros
pered.
The increase per cent. in the cities and
towns of 5000 inhabitants and upwards, 1850
| to 1870, has been viz Methodist Sc, Con-
gregationalist "a, Baptist 80, f. w. Baptist
Pas increase in whole State, Methodist IA
1-2, Congregationalist II 3-4, Baptist 2; de-
crease of F. w. Baptist 6. The loss in rural
places is viz:-Methodist 2, Congregational
lists 81, Baptists 8, f. w. Baptist g. BY the
same computation the loss in the whole State
is much less per cent, showing that the
large towns and cities are the strongholds
and gaining places of Methodism.
The church property in Maine, in 1870,
was valued at SS90,9S5, representing 324
churches and Ill parsonages. There were
oS5 Sunday schools, 2O,603 scholars, 1896
officers and teachers, 57,147 volumes in libra
School scholars ll9.
The benevolent contributions, including
missionary money in the Maine Conference,
have been, viz 1850, S2490; 1860, $685.
rs; 1870, S73s5.59; not embracing home
charities or legacies upon educational pur-
poses. Increase 1850 to 1850 was A IA per
| cent; from 1860 to 1870, 1881 per cent. In
| the East Maine Conference, 1850, Sll67 ;
1850, $3.50; 1871, $500, showing large in
crease.
Figures are given to show the meagre sala-
ries given to ministers compared with other
States, especially the West, and an appeal in
made for more liberal condition of things,
as the cost of living has proportionately been
larger.
Average salaries in the Maine Conference
8 1850 was 1913; 1860, 1894; 1870, SGl3
East Maine Conference, 1850, 1886; 1860,
$3.50; 1871, $780,
Ministers, says Mr.. Randall, have some
human nature, and they will not consent to
serve for small pay in Maine, while others,
and in their estimation, equally interesting
fields are open to them at double the salary.
There is no class of men of the same talent
so poorly paid as the ministers of Maine.
The church must absolutely awake to this
matter if she expects to retain her men of
talant.
In conclusion he comments these facts and
figures to the candid consideration of the
convention. MAY they teach us humility
and inspire zeal. May the Lord God make
Us and all our sister churches a thousand
times as many more as we are, and bless us
as He has promised to do"
At the commencement of this century we
had circuits, 10 ministers, 1897 members
an increase in five years, $40 members 272
per cent. We have now in 1871, 24,645
members, an increase Of 1859; 2l9 pastors,
l47 local preachers; total 3s9 ministers.
We number now in the state 4941 more than
the Congregational 1924 more than the Bap-
fists of 1870, 9S74 more than the Free Will
| Baptist. We do not present these facts in an
invdeous spirit, but simply to present the
true state of the case. An able essay was
also presented by Rev. Z. A. Helmershausen,
on "Methodism and the State" This was
followed by an interesting description in
which Hon. John j. Perry, Rev. Stephen
Allen, Rev. DIR. Crook of New York, Rev. A.
Prince, Rev. d. Luce, Campmeeting John
Allen, Rev. Mr.. Gushing of Mass, Rev. d.
B. Randall, c. Munger and others. In the
evening we listened to a very able sermon
from Rev. DIR. Crook. ID,