Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-06-18
Baptist Anniversaries.
The Historical Address.--Pro,eedin @
Yesterday.

Baptist Anniversaries.
The Historical Observation-Disclosures OF
! Yesterday.
The convention at East Winthrop, Tuesday
evening, listened to the report of the commit
tee on the state of religion, submitted by Rev.
A. r. Crane of Hallowel. The historical
sermon was then delivered by Rev. DR..
Smaller Of Portland. He announced his text
Leviticus XIV l0-"And ye shall hallow the
iftieth year"
These words were part of the civil law Civ
en- to regulate the jewish people; and we
perceive a fitness in this division of time
Let this fiftieth year, the year Of jubilee of
this convention, be hallowed by US and to u.s.
| 1t would be impossible to give an entire his
tory of the past fifty years in brief dis
course. The task rather belongs to the his
torian than to the preacher. My object will
be to speak OF its origin, progress and sue
cess. The speaker then referred to the pre-
liminary movements for organizing a Baptist
| Missionary Convention, and delegates APP
| pointed from the three or four Associations in
the State to meet in Winthrop, June 80, 1924
| In the organization of the body series of
seven articles declared the objects and pur.
| pOsGS 10 NC dNCOlnpllcIlGu. EottOUS assurances
| we're given that this was not to be an eccles-
tical tribunal to interfere with the independ-
| ence Of the churches.
| The second annual meeting was held in
Winthrop, and the subject of rendering min
isterial educational facilities, was discussed
and measures adopted to that end. The
speaker divided the fifty years into decades,
| and gave an interesting account of the prog
| ress of the work during each Of the ten years
,l,,N
| vance of the denomination was alluded to
AID an eloquent tribute was paid to the
fathers of the church, whose labors, trials and
| triumphs for this lite are ended. A glowing
picture was presented OF the rext centennial
year Of jubilee of the convention, and the
speaker closed with powerful detece of the
doctrines and distinctive faith of the denomi-
nation, fairly electritying the large audience
with his eloquent appeal. At the close of the
discourse the following original centennial
hymn was sung by the choir, accompanied by
| the audience, TO the tune Of America
To Thee, oh God, we raise
\ new, glad song of praise
We Thee adore.
With JOY our hearts confess
lhou dttst our fathers bless,
| And crown W it'll large success,
! In days of yorc.
Since we tread holy ground,
! Let love TO us abound
| TIL power infuse
| DO Thou our hearts expand,
| Here JON Us hand TO hand,
| To spread throughout the land
| lie joyful news
Help these Thy servants ALL
| To heed Thy sacred call,
And preach the word
With love in pre each breast
r. obey the high behest
! o. those now gone to rest
Grace stlli afford
Though not as yet matured
The conquest Is assured
Led by Thy hand
Obedient to Thy Son,
With faith we'll labor on
| Till victory shall be won
In every land.
Wednesday mornings session was opened
by prayer by Rev. Mr.. Bryant, formerly pas
tor of the East Winthrop church. A report
was submitted by Rev. DR.. Smaller on obt-
uaries, after which most interesting paper,
referring to the early ministers of the denom-
inaton, was read by Rev. c. g. Porter Of
Bangor. No report we can give in brief
would do justice to the production. 1t will
be printed with the minutes of the conven-
ton, together with the discourse of Rev.
Mr.. Smaller. The following original hymn
was sung at the close of Mr. Porter's address,
the audience joining with the choir in the
good old tune of ''St. Thomas"
The fathers, where are they,
The sainted men of God,
| These hills and valleys uod!
We look for them in vain;
They left us one by one;
Come home, voice celestial cried
"lhy work on earth is DONE
Dear Savior, thou ddst speak;
1t was thy sweet behest;
The call TO toll is thine, and thine
The call to endless rest.
The fathers are with thee;
Thy glory they behold,
AS now, within the pearly gates,
They walk the streets of gold
There, too, may VIC be found,
When ends lies neeting day;
Our work well done, and thine the call
That summons us away.
Tie afternoon of Wednesday, until half
past four O'Clock, was devoted to the interests
of the Maine Baptist Educational Society,
listening to the report of the Secretary, Rev.
G. NJ. Emery, and discussions on the general
Subject.
At half-past four another session ofthe con-
vention was held, and Rev. Mr.. Bixby, re-
turned foreign missionary, addressed the
convention. Report of the Committee on
Sabbath Schools was submitted by E. Rowell,
of Hallowell. The convention will close its
session. one of the most interesting of the en-
tire series, on Thursday noon. The utmost
harmony prevailed throughout. The singing
under the direction of Mr.. w. Ii. Parin, was
most excellent, and duly appreciated by the
convention. The people of East Winthrop
entertained the members of the convention
with their well known hospitality and liberal