The Portland daily press., 1873-06-19
Special Correspondence Of the Press.l
Baptist State Anniversaries.

| DAMARIsCorTA, June Is, 1873.
The anniversary services Of the various be-
neyolent societies of the Baptists in Maine are
being held in this place during the present
{ week.
! The Missionary Convention was called to or
der yesterday morning at 10 o'clock, by the
President, j. G. White, esq., of Bangor. After
singing and prayer Prest. White made brief
address, abiding to the meeting of the couyen-
ton in this place twenty-five years ago. and
making some comparisons as to the condition
OF the denomination then and now Then the
annual expenditures of the society were Sl945,
now they are much more than quadruple that
amount. The progress since made is the occa-
sion of most devout and grateful joy.
Rev. ID. Crocher, pastor of the church in this
place, In its behalf extended cordial welcome
to The visiting friends
The annual report of the Board OF Trustees
was read by the Corresponding secretary, he"s
j. Kicker of Augusta From this report it APP
pears that the work of the Society for the past
wear has been most successful, and that the
nresent situation and future outlook were most
cheering Many feeble and dying churches
have been resuscitated--the years aggregate of
baptisms on the mission fields of the State is
much larger than usual, the financial outlook is
cheering, the net receipts of the year have beeu
nearly $4,000; there has been q very material
increase in the ministerial working force of the
denomination, a much better distribution OF
the working forces and fewer churches without
pastoral care. Three district missionaries and
the Corresponding Secretary have devoted their
entire time to the work of the convention, and
fifty-four churches have been aided in the sup
port of local preachers The report closes with
series of eminently practical suggestions for
future work. The report was accepted.
The report of the Treasurer, Prof j. B. Fos-
ter of Waterville, was presented by Rev H. S.
Burraga. The report shows total receipts for
the year $99O2.50; expenditures $S979.53. The
present invested fund is $780, Adopted.
Rev. G, p. Matthews of Auburn, read q pa
per upon the topic "Our primary work to bring
men to Christ" The paper was an able and
exhaustive review, one of the foundation prin-
ciples of the Gospel, and of the means to be
used in the work.
At II o'clock adjourned to q o'clock p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Convention resumed the discussion of
the paper by Rev. Mr.. Matthews Remarks
were made by Rev. Messrs Illsley of New York,
Parker of Livermore, Kicker of Augusta, Heath
of Pennington, Morse of Lewiston, and His
cox of New York.
The Convention at 8 o clock listened to the
annual sermon by Rev. G. w. Gile of South
Berwick, from Matt. q: IL.
The report Of the committee on state of relig-
ion was presented by Rev. S. D. Richardson of
Fayette. Accepted.
George F. Emery, esq.,, of Portland, read a
paper on critics to Church Property" of which
. copy was requested for publication in lions
Advocate.
The officers of the Convention for the ensuing
year were elected as follows: President, j. 9.
White, ESQ.,, Bangor; Vice President. Rev. A.
B. Crane Hallowell; Cor. Sec, Rev. j. Kicker,
Augusta; Rec. Secretary, Rev. s. L. B. Chase,
Rockand; Auditor, Prof. j. L. Champlin,
Watervile. The old Board of Trustees were
reelected.
BY request Rev. DR.. Hiscox of New York, adj
dressed the Convention on the subject of Bible
Work and in behalf of the American and For
eign Bible Society, and special committee was
appointed to consider the subject. Adjourned.
EVENING SESSION.
Rev. DR.. Smaller of Portland, presented the
report of the committee on obituaries. Men.
ton was made in appropriate terms of the
de ,tbs of Rev. Messrs. Williams of Oldtown,
oliibu VI oetioihOis uuo A>uptSh VA Ai'NAuiole.
Accepted.
The large and attentive audience then listen
ed to sermon by Rev. DR.. S. A. Kingsbury of
Boston, from Rom. 8: %. Adjourned.
WEDNESDAY.
The early morning prayer meeting at o'clock
was we'll attended, and was season of the spe
cial presence and powers of the Holy Spirit
At o'clock the Convention resumed its ses-
sion.
The committee on place of next annual ses-
siCn reported Winthrop as the place, and Rev.
j. Eveleth as the preacher.
1t was also voted that arrangements be made
for the celebration of the semi-centennial ami
versary of the Convention at that time.
An able and eloquent paper on the import
ance and value of Systematic Benevolence,''
was read by Prof. E. w. Hall of Watervilie.
Accepted and copy requested for publication
in the Advocate, and subsequent issue in tact
form.
The committee on Home Missions reported
through its chairman, Rev. f. T. Hazelwood,
Accepted.
Rev. A. T. Mason, Secretary of the Home
Mission Society, briefly addressed the Conyen-
ton upon the work of that Society.
The committee on publication reported thro'
its chairman, Rev. G. M. Emery. Accepted.
Rev. Mr.. Illsey addressed the Convention in
behalf of the Publication Society.
A paper was read by Rev. DIR. Smaller of Port
land, upon the use that the Convention can and
ought to make of the press through colporteurs
and Others for the dissemination of religious
truth. Accepted. S.