The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-06-27
Religious Meetings.
Maine Universalist Convention.

CALAIS, June 25, 1874.
The exercises began this morning with con-
ference and prayer meeting at five o'clock, con-
Quoted by the Rev. |. j. Mead of Hiram. Not
withstanding the early hour the meeting was
well attended and jealous
At 8 a. M. the council met as per adjourn
ment, and the various standing committees
made their reports. Suggestions were made by
the committee on fellowship, ordination and
discipline as to the prevalent custom of notify
ing the public of the ordination of1pastors pre-
vious to examination by the council. and the
matter referred to special committee, and
also the propriety of ordaning females to the
ministry.
New societies were reported as having been
formed during the past year at Caribou and
Fort Fairfield.
Remarks were made at some length by Rev.
Mr.. Purnton concerning the condition of the
affairs of the denomination throughout Aros-
took county.
Officers were then elected for the ensuing
year as follows: H
President G. S. Fobes, Portland
Vice Presdent-J. w Capp, Augusta.
Secretary-Z. Pope Vose, Rockiand.
Treasnrer-R. Dresser Auburn.
=. Committee on Fellowship, Ordination and
Disciphne-Revs. j. o. Skinner, W. r.
Denison and John Smith.
Trustee for three years-Sidner Perham of
Paris.
Goodenough, G.. w. Quimby, G. E. Tucker.
Lay-W. Duren, j. A Homan, 1. Washburn,
Jr., j. p Greedy, R Dresser, R. Dunham.
Preacher occasional sermon-Rev. G. w.
Bcknel, Portland.
Snh cfif ufa 1asc
Sunday School Secretary-Rev. w. w. Nut
ting, Gardiner.
AT 10a a. M, the occasional sermon was de-
livered by Rev. A. Battles of Bangor. Rev.
% verse, q chap. "And the gates of it shall
not be shut"
The afternoon was devoted to the eonsdera.
ton of the interests of the Sunday school.
Addresses were made by Hon. r. Dresser, Revs.
G. L. Demorest, j. G. Knowlton, E. Case, j.
Q. Skinner, Hon. Sidney Perham, and others
Teachers meetings, the needs of the teachers,
the necessity for fuller attendance of adults
on the sessions of the Sunday school, uniform
lessons and other topics were briefly spoken
upon. The longer the meeting continued the
more the interest increased.
The evening exercises were conducted by
Rev. w. e. Gibbs, assisted by Rev, j. W.
Skinner of Watervlle, Mr.. Gibbs preaching
the sermon. His topic was Some of the signs
of progress in the religious word.'' The Sc
lection for his text was from I'd Peter, iii rs
'Grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ" The gospel shows
that the mission of Jesus was to increase the
life OF the world. Christ caIne to affect prac-
teal salvation He was but partially under
stood. His instruction was rich in rpm
cipes rather than theories. To his hearers
this was new phase in religion, so when he
departed from among his followers they began
to theorize as to the time when the kingdom
would come, and they should sit upon the
thrones judging Israe. For centuries theory
usurped the place of practice un til Christianity
was practically dead. Huss, Lu Their and Wick
life broke away from their old church bonds,
only to forge new letters. From their dogma
tIsm there is a new protest. The outlook of
the religious is daily Frightening 1t is evident
from the fact that men of every name are cut
ting loose from their old forms of faith. The
followers of Arius and Athanasius centuries
ago began discussion which has never been
settled. To-day the Irish Synod have decided
to retain the Athanasianrcreeds in their books
but not to cali for it's enforce nent, and ere long
the Engllsh church will hold it not especially
condemnable to reject the doctrine of the Trim
Ity. The time has past when priestly assump-
ZION causes their statements to he accepted as
true. The value of a creed depends more on
its practical value than on its mystical state
ment. .t4
Not what shall we believe is the question
now, but what shall we do?
Another sign of progress in the religious
world is the view taken of the Bible The
words of scripture but inadequately set forth
the glories of God, but suggest the greatest
possibilities. The traditional and marvellous
portions are subordiuated to it's spiritual pow
en- In numerous ways are the men of TO day
better able to comprehend its meaning than its
CT to n
we can yet comprehend the full meaning of
God there contained. Men have revolted from
it, not from the errors there may be therein.
but because some have endeavored to make
these errors appear as truths The religious
world is drifting TO common centre. We
have more of character and less of forms of
faith. Iu Israelitish times men lost sight of
God in that OF their priests. Jesus came to
recall them to their former faith. Man must
be cleansed inwardly-then will the outer
character be correct Loud professions amount
to nothing. Jesus says cleanse the inner man.
the fountain head, then will the water flow
forth clear. TIE nearer the world gets to
Jesus the more does it get away from stilted
formality. Personal respons, bity causes us to
grow IN grace. Science confirms the truth that
there can be no loss. With force there is no
waste. 1t is the goodness of God that shall
overcome the evil in man. How and when it
shall be accomplished it is not for us to saw Is
there not reason for faith in the promises of
God? There are yet mysteries to be unrayeled.
but they shall be resolved when we are face to
face in the future. Around the pivot of our
Fathers love swings the whole system of
Christian truth, and the watch words of that
branch of the church to viii III we belong are
the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of
man.
General CONFIDENCE of COugregaliouaI
-f- Churches.
THIRD DAY.
NEWCASTLE, June 26, 1874.
1t is not unpleasant while listening to the
music of the well-trained choir, and the sweet
tones of the organ in the church, to hear
through the open window the sound of hammer
and saw; and as the eye traverses the green
fields, to see at the1waters edge several stately
vessels fast reaching completion. Two have
already been launched, three are on the stocks.
and two more are soon to be CON menced-
ranging from ten to sixteen hundred tons.
This town is one of the oldest in the state. and
its locality afforded such magnificent facilities
for hunting and fishing, that it was reluctant
ly surrendered by the Indians. The immense
oyster banks which whiten either shore of
Damariscotta River, reaching twenty-five feet