The Portland daily press., 1874-07-08
Portland District Conference,

| The first meeting of this body for the confer
ence year commencing May, 1874, was held in
Pine street church com aleucing yesterday
morning at nine o'clock, Rev. l. Luce presid-
ing.
The opening religious services were conduct
ed by Rev. c. Andrews
S. F.Wetherbee was chosen Secretary..C. w.
Blackman A S. Ladd and ii. B. Mitchell
were chosen committee to examine candi-
dates for preachers license.
D. B. Randall and j. NJ. Woodbury. were
chosen Committee on Resolu tons.
The reports of pastors were called for and
twenty pastors reported the state OF their
charge as generally in prosperous condition.
There was no report from twenty five charges
as the pastors were not present.
Rev. Mr. Freeman presented an essay, show
ing our obligations to sustain the financial en-
terprses of the church.
Rev. Mr.. Blackman read paper on the same
topic, and the subject was freely discussed by
brethren present.
Adjourned until two O'Clock.
AFTERNOON.
The conference met at two o'clock and was
opened with prayer by IL. b. Mitchell
An essay on '"Fhe best system Of church fl
nance" was read by Rev. S f. Wetherbee The
essay brought out good deal Of discussion
which left the subject about as it was before.
Mr.. Doutney, reformed drunkard and rum
seller,w was introduced and addressed the confer
enee. He will probably lecture in Pine street
church Wednesday evening ON the theme at
was murder ard rum did it."
Our Sunday School work was the next topic
and Rev. w f. Craft presented fine address
on the subject Mr. Crafts is a member of
the New Hampshire conference. and a son of
f. A. Crafts, formerly of the Maine confer
ence.
Remarks followed the address on the char
acter of many Of our Sunday School libraries
the importance of primary department in the
Sabbath School and that the forenoon of the
Sabbath should be given up to the Sunday
School.
Adjourned with benediction.
EVENING.
AT s clock a full congregation assembled
for public worship.
Rev. A. G. Traften preached good sermon
from Psalm "a, 1.-THE Lord God is sun
and shield, SC"
Though due notice of the conference was
given the attendance was very small, not half
Of the pastors dozen local preachers, ex-
hortors, superintendents and district stewards
are present, and from thirty to forty persons
made up the entire congregation through the
day.
The people of Portland do not feel much in
terest in the district conference, judging by APP
pearances
The services will commence this morning at
nine O'Clock and the meetings are open to all
who feel interest enough to attend them The
conference will close Wednesday evening"
The following cergymen are present: Cor
ham, Rev. MI MILAN; Saccarappa, Rev. w.
W. Baldwin; Scarboro, Rev. G. Andrews ;Saco
Rev. S. E. Wetherbee; Bddeiord, Rev. A S.
Laid; South Berwick. Rev. c. w. Ward; Oak
Ridge, Rev. q. w. Decelthy; Kennebunk, Rev.
Q. L. Cobb; Kennebunkport, Rev. W. S. Bart
lett; Berwick, Rev. j. Lord; Kttery, Rev. c.
Mason; Alfred Rev. w. b Michel; Newtield,
Rev. j. f. Strout; Shapleigh and Acton, Rev.
j. f. Woodman; Buxton and New Gloucester,
Rev. B. Freeman; South Standish and STAN
| dish, Rev. B. f. Pearce; West Baldwin, Rev.
Mr.. MeDouher; Cornish and Hiram Falls, A.
| c. Traitor.