The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-06-09
Cumberland County Conference.

The 1O6th meeting of the Cumberland Con-
ference of Congregational churches assembled
at. Falmouth Tuesday morning at o'clock.
After season of social worship, Rev. E. Ell.
Byington of Brunswick was chosen Moderator,
and Rev. Burke 7. Leavitt, Scribe. Ministers
and laymen of different evangelical denomina-
tions were invited to participate in the dis
cussiops of the Conference.
Rev. Joseph Tcrrey, recently settled in Var
mouth preached stirring sermon from the
words in Neh. iv: 6, "For the people had a
mind to work" The discourse gave the Con-
ference good impulse at the time when such
an impulse is most desired, at the outset. Rev.
G. S. Dickerman of Lewiston followed the
preach sr, speaking earnestly, in the spirit OF
the sermon. His remarks bore upon our re-
sponsibilty to the ninety eight churches under
the fosteriBg care of the Maine Missionary
Society-churches which are not entirely self.
supporting. He stated that four of these
churches had congregations averaging more
than two hundred, and that if such gave each
one cent day, they could entirely support
regular religious service. "Is not the Gospel
worth one cent day?" said the speaker.
There are forty eight churches whose congrega.
tions average one hundred or upwards. If such
gave each two cents per day, they could entirely
support regular religious service. Is not the
Gospel worth two cents day?
In the afternoon the Registrars report was
presented, showing a more encouraging con-
dtion Of the churches than has existed fol
some years. The additions to the churches
of the Conference have been one hundred and
fifty more than during the last year; the
benevolent contributions one thousand dollars
less.
Rev. DR.. Chickering addressed the Confer
ence, showing the vital relation of temperance
to the prosperity OF the churches.
The chief interest of the day centred in 6
discussion of the question, "What action OF
the part of the churches of this Confere nee
does the present exigency of the Maine Mis-
sionary Society demand?' Rev. Mr.. Hincks
spoke with great earnestness and effectiveness
Three courses are open to us:-First shall we
extinguish the light of the Gospel in twenty Of
thirty villages in the state? We dare not take
the responsibility. Second, to call for aid out
side the state. Is not the burden laid upon u.s.
Are we to go as a mendicant state before oul
sister states to ask for aid? What minister
would be willing to go? L hope you will moi
ask me. will not go if you do. Third, We
must come up and meet the exigency ourselves
Six thousand dollars must be raised before the
annual meeting, fortnight hence, to relieve
the Society from embarrassment
Rev. T. S. Perry of Cumberland followed in
a not less earnest and moving address, relating
interesting and effective incidents, which car
ried the audience forward in their augmenting
fervor on the subject.
Rev. Mr.. Dickerman and Rev. Prof. Lane Of
Iowa brought the matter more Immediately
home till at length DR.. Chickering offered
$1OO to the cause-money which had come into
his possession from lady, formerly resident
within the bounds of their Conference, now
dead.
Mr.. Hincks followed, moving that this Con.
ference raise $500, one quarter of the amount
needed before the annual meeting. 5000 was
pledged by one pastor on behalf of his church,
over and above all they have contributed.
Others pledged their proportion till ten churches
nearly one half represented in this gather
ing-had responded.
BY general consent of the audience, which
quite filled the spacious church, telegram in
| the name of the Moderator has been sent to
| each of the other Conferences in session
| throughout the state, announcing what this
| them to raise their proportion.
The Conference thus far is of special interest
| Many have attended from Portland.