Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-10-03
Maine Unitarian Convention.

We condense from the Portland Press a re-
port of this conference that begun in Kenne-
bunk on Tuesday evening, and was well at
tended.
lie opening sermon was delivered BY the
X. r. Shipper Of Boston, from Isaiah xxi,
| 8. The discourse was of the nature of doc i.
trinal one, and set forth the principles of Lib
eral Christianity.
On Wednesday morning, Rev. DIR. Wheel
er, Secretary of the conference, made his
annual report of the changes of pastors, the
missionary work of the State, the condition
of the churches and other general matters of
interest IN the denomination. Four minis
tiers have left the State and FIVE have come
from abroad. The Augusta church has Sc
| cured a pastor, and new church has been
| established at Pressure Isle. The report al
luded hopefully to prospects in other places,
and gave assurance that the interests of the
denomination are in prosperous condition
throughout the State.
The subject of aid to the Augusta church
was taken up and discussed. Rev. Mr.. Beck.
with of Augusta, reported the condition of
the church in very encouraging vein, and
thought the prospect justified labor and mains
In improving the field.
Rev. Mr.. Vinal thought that the zeal. en-
thusiasm and energy at Augusta made up for
paucity of numbers, and deserved aid and
encouragement.
In the afternoon the subject of the Augusta
church was continued by Rev. Mr.. Buck of
Portland, who said that year ago at Ellis
worth the conference voted to request the
American Unitarian Association to appropri.
ate sum not exceeding 5000 to the Augusta
church, which was a good thing, but the
church had not received cent, of il
which is not good thing. He thought it
best not to repeat that operation but to vote
only what will be executed. lie introduced
the following resolution which received A
unanimous passage:
RESOLVED, That the conference learns with
satisfaction that pastor has been secured for
Christ Church, Augusta, and hereby extend
to Rev. MIR. Beckwith, the fellowship of the
conference, and pledges to the church at
Augusta. its aid and CO. operation.
The following list of officers for the ensu.
ing year was reported from the trustees. and
was unanimously adopted by the conference
viz
President, Hon. S. Il. Spring.
Vice President, Rev. DIR. ID. N. Sheldon,
Watervlle.
Cor. Secretary, Rev. DR.. A. d. Wheeler,
Topsham.
Rec. Secretary, Rev. d. N. Utter, Belfast.
Treasurer, Mark p. Emery, Portland
Executive Committee, Rev. DR.. John T.
Nichols, Hon. Joseph Dane of Kennebunk,
and Hon. j. ID. Hopkins of Ellsworth.
Committee on Missions, Rev. A. M. Knapp
of Bangor, Rev. C. w. Buck of Portland. B,
I. Hamilton, esq, of Biddeford.
Committee OF Ways and Means, Rev. DR..
A. d. Wheeler of Topsham, Hon. Samuel
Titcomb of Augusta, f. A. Barnard of Calais.
MIR. John kneeland of Boston, Secretary Of
the Sunday School Society, being present,
addressed the conference. Other remarks
were made on the same subject.
On motion OF DIR. Hill it was voted to take
contributions Immediately in all the churches
for the benefit of the churches in Augusta
and Presque Isle.
In the evening very large congregation
listened to sermon by DR.. Hill of Portland.