The Portland daily press., 1874-10-08

| IN tne cnurcn OF tne FlrSt PerlSn, ana at Mn
| o'clock was called to order by the President
| Hon. S. Spring.
A feryent prayer was offered by DR.. j. 7. G
Nichols of Saco.
The President then briefly and cordially wei
coined the Conference to Portland, and urget
upon those present to be as warm and interested
in the work of the hour as possible, so that i
| might not be longer said that our meetings arr
cold and dull.
Rev. Mr. Vinal was chosen Secretary pro tenn
Rev. Dr. Wheeler then read the Secretary.
report. From this we learn that this confer
ence has existed for ten years. At its forma
ton there had bee quite falling off in church
es. They were few and weak. What were
the causes? There was great liberality in the
world. But there had been indifference and
antagonism towards this denomination. Hence
there was no growth. This conference vas de.
signed to restore the dying and strengthen the
weak societies. In every part of the State and
even beyond the word of reconciliation has
been spoken. If large numbers haye not found
us kindlier feeling has been awakened. More
than nifty places have been visited as Mission
airy Stations. A society in Hou.ton after re-
manning inactive for long series of years has
become active and self-sustaining. So of the
First Church in Castine, established in the be-
ginning of this century. The First Parish in
ooouutSu DcGu kept awe, DuC Is uOt uOW
In very vigorous condition.
The Orthodox Society is in the same condi-
ton, and the two have united 60 some Inherent.
The Calais Society has united with another,
and is now self-sustaining.
Christ Church in Augusta has passed through
great trial 1t was declining, and by vote of
this conference an effort was made to revivify
it. The society now has minister, and asks
for the promised aid.
Waterville, Ellsworth and Pennington have
each had new societies formed and well es-
tablished
Westbrook, Gorham, Bucksport and Lee
moines are not on a firm basis
Presque Isle and Brunswick are just COM
mencing undr favorable auspices. Particularly
the former. They have settled minister, Rev.
Mr.. Clifford
The New Brunswick legacy had been left to
the Brunswick Unitarian Society. 1t was
feared that this and others would be lost, and
society was therefore established to care for
it. The movement prospered beyond expecta-
Missionary work has been done as usual. In
st. John, n. B.. the most. That place has
Deen visited by Drs. Wheeler, Sheldon, Rev.
MI, Shipper, DR.. Budworth, and several others.
A society will probably be formed there in
not remote time.
There is need of more means. Their. are
severa! placef where societies could be formed
IL aid IN starting were rendered
line report closes with an earnest appeal for
a liberal contribution to this work, and some
personal Observations from the venerable doc
Ior, VINO feared that his health and strength
would not permit him to do much more.
=, Dr. Wheeler then read the report of the
Treasurer, Mark P. Emery, Esq.,, of Portland.
Dr. Wheeler explained that it does not pre-
sent full view of the financial operations in
the State, because all the contributions are not
reported to the Treasurer here.
SOLO, so Fave passed through the Treasurer's
hands to the American Unitarian Association,
Balance on hand $47.00. Last year $4,000.
Inc reports OF the Secretary and Treasurer
were then accepted
Mr. Shipper then gave some account of Mis-.
sionary work in st. John.
He then told of letter from Australia ask
ing for books magazines, and even an Ameri.
can minister The account was very graphic
and interesting. The writer remarked that life
in Australia is more in sympathy with that Of
America than that of Englagd. The request
for books has been complied with through the
expressage was fifteen dollars Mr. Shipper
also referred to the Importance of the distribu-
ton OF Unitarian magazines and other works.
A great many Unitarian ministers are asking
for them. The libera.ity of a Swing and of
others are due to the reading of our works.
On motion, committee of three, consisting
OF Messrs. j. H. Hopkins. f. w. Sabine and
M. L. Emery, were appointed to nominate Off
GERS and to report in the afternoon.
Dr. Nichols called for Rev. Mr., Doughty of
Illinois.
Mr.. Shipper explained that Mr.. Doughty
was born in Illinois and came from the same
region as Abraham Lincoln He hoped BROTH
or Doughty wonld relate some of his personal
experiences.
Mr.. Doughty began by saying that something
which had puzzled him is the want of mission
airy zeal among Unitarians. He sometimes
has feeling that these people are too good to
be talked to about sin; that they are developed
above it. But christianity means if anything,
it means strength lifts up weakness; knowledge
enlightens ignorance; love drives out hate. We
must go down to the lowest and regard them as
brother. Unitarianism is adapted to the
masses. Let us 60 out and meet them. The
great need of the times is that we make an ag-
gressive movement in the name of Him whose
name is above all. If we die our epitaph will
be "Died of theology on the BRAIN" We want
it in the heort.
Mr.. VInal called upon some one from Pressure
Isle and Augusta to tell us about the condition
of things there. Rev. Mr. Beckwith of Au-
gusta, responded.
DIR. Hill invited the friends to collation. in
Lancaster Hall at 12a and at 6 p. m.
Rev. DR.. Sheldon then read an essay upon
"The Holy Spirit" In the idea of the Holy
Spirit is that of a connection of God with the
spirit of men. God is present with all His
creation, but with man in a definite and higher
way than with beasts With all life below
man God is spirit. With man He is holy spirit.
The peace of the holy spirit in the training of
the human soul was the precise subject of the
essay.
An interesting discussion followed the delv-
cry of this essay, in which the opinion was ex-
pressed that there is quite as much need of
spirit of holiness as of spirit of truth.
AFTERNOON SESSION
The Rev. Mr.. Clifford was set down for an
essay, but being absent the Rev. Mr.. Bowen
was called upon in his stead.
Pending the reading the Rev. DIR. Sheldon
moved the appointment of committee to re-
port what provision should be made for Angus
ia. He subsequently included Presque Isle
Houlton and Wsterville. Messrs. M P. Eme
~, DR.. Wheeler and Mr.. Nichols were made
that committee.
MIR. Bowen then proceeded with his essay
upon "Our Needs Liberal Christianity is
now more difficult to define than formerly,
Nearly all denominations are as liberal and
tolerant as we. We have been giving the in
tellectual truths of Christianity. Ought we not
now to turn attention to the spiritual element.
We have been too much afraid of sentiment.
With the elearest ideas of the intellect may
there not be the purest and deepest of feeling.
The intellect may work out formal system of
doctrine, but it cannot originate faith. Chris
tian progress must come through love. To be-
come truly religious we must awaken affection
and enwrap the whole being in an atmosphere
of sentiment. The Christian religion is emf .
nently spiritual. Others have the some morals,
but they have not the teachings of the influence
of the Holy Spirit.
The committee on nominations then present.
ed its report:
President, Hon. S. E. Spring of Portland.
Vice President, Rev. d. D. Sheldon, D. D.,
of Watervile.
Corresponding Secretary, Rev. DR.. A. D.
Wheeler of Topsham