The Portland daily press., 1874-06-26
Religious Meetings.
General Congregational Conference.


SECOND DAY.
NEWCASTLE, June 25, 1874.
The success of these meetings depends large
ly, if not entirely, upon the efficiency of the
Committee of Arrangements and Hospitality.
In this case too much credit cannot be given to
the pastor of the Second church, Rev. VIM F.
Obear and his assistants, Messrs A. Austin
and j. e. Barstow who have with unlimited
courtesy and patience mnistered to the wants
of their three or four hundred guests
Each days services commence with the
morning prayer meeting at 6 o'clock. Although
the exercises are interesting, they are hardly
reportable, and certainly now cannot be, on
account of your crowded columns, and the
absence of your correspondent
The forenoon sitting was entirely occupied
as the anniversary of the Maine Missionary
Society, a charitable association designed to
furnish the gospel and the preacher to the desti
tute places in this state
Rev. w. M. Barbour delivered discourse
from Matt. tx :35.-Subiect: Christ as a
Preacher.
Prof. Barbour, with his mingled Scotch
American fervor aud acuteness, pave a model
sermon, admirable in letter and spirit. He
commended the village pastor as the one near
est to Christ in his surroundings and opportunl-
ties. The best sermon he had heard for five
years was from missionary. Alusions to
ministers seeking fields of labor in large towns
and among wealthy congregations were not re-
markably complimentary. 1t is . question
whether the instructions of the learned pro-
fessor will be more valuable to his seminary
ctr hon To fho ,;y,;c
publicly delivered.
Brief addresses followed from Gov. Dingley
and other gentlemen.
| The report of the venerable Secretary, Rev,
DIR. s. Thurston, deals too largely in statistics
| to afford your paper any available matter.
| More than one hundred different localities
during the past year have received the bene-
factions of the Society. The prevailing opinion
that missionaries remain too short a time in
their fields of labor to reap results, was met by
the proof of figures, that the percentage of &C.
comp)ished facts was largely in their favor
when compared with permanent pastorates.
After the accustomed devotional exercises Of
the afternoon the condition and claims Of
| Bowdoin College were presented by Rev. Prof
Packard, Dr. Fiske and Messrs. Titcomb, Ben
son and Byington. Some fifteen hundred dol
lars were raised on the spot. Thirty thousand
dollars are needed to complete the proposed
endowment of one hundred thousand dollars
The Classical Sch col at Hallowell found
earnest advocates in its Secretary, Rev. H. f.
Harding, and Rev. Fl. @. Butterield, former
resident in Hallowell. ~
| Bangor Theological Seminary was reported
to bel in flourishing condition, financially and
prospectively, so far as the next class is con-
| cerned.
Prof. Barbour urged TIE several churches to
continue their valuable and highly appreciated
aid in furnishing the rooms for students in the
Seminary.
| The claims of several benevolent societies
were presented by their agents.
| In the evening the capacious church was
| filled. "Temperance-its relation to the
Church, was discussed by Gov. Dingley, Hon.
II. Tallman of Bath, Revs. Gates, Mason, and
others. Hon. Mr.. Ttcomb did not respond to
call. Sergeant Ambler SAILED in,'' with
some of his experiences with rumselers and
slight illusions to his broadsword contests.
The conference are favored with delightful
weather.