The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-06-23
Reported for the Press]
The General Conference of the Congre-
gatiOnal Churches.
FIRST DAY.
AUGUSTA, June %, 1875

AUGUSTA, June % 1876.
The forty-ninth annual session of this body
opened today at the South Congregational
church in this city. In its constitution the de-
clared object of its organization is 'to promote
intercourse and harmony among the churches
of the state and to produce more extensive
cooperation in every good work" Delegates
are chosen from the several county conferences
and by special provision equal numbers of
ministers and church members are elected
As large number of persons usually arrive
on the day preceding the annual meeting it is
customary to hold religious services in the eve
ming. Last evening the granite church con-
tanned a respectable audience who listened to a
discourse by Rev. VIM. Hart of Bath, from
Jer. 9, 23.4. The leading idea as illustrated by
reference to men and nations was, that
knowledge of God though Christ is absolutely
essential for the promotion of individual and
national prosperity.
This morning the conference was occupied
with the necessary work of organization, Rev.
S. 2. Fey of Bangor serving as Moderator, and
Dea. E. f. Duren of the same place as Record
ing Secretary.
The Moderator referred to former sessions of
the conference in Augusta, the first in 1886.
and the last in 1858. None of the members of
the first meeting are now living in the state.
and nearly all are deceased.
After the customary devotional exercises and
the reading of the constitution, the credentials
OF the delegates were received and reports were
made by those who had visited other correspon.
ding bodies.
AS the next year will complete the term of
fifty years since the organization of the body
and as its first meeting was held in Portland
and the next one is expected to be there, a
committee was chosen with reference to
proper observance Of the event, consisting of
Rev. Eff. Cutter of Belfast Prof. Packard of
Brunswick, and Deacon E. f. Duren of Ban
gor.
Rev. DR.. Lawrence of Mass, saluted the
meeting as messenger from the American
Peace Society.
In the half hour following given to devo
tiOnal service, special mention was made of re-
vivals in Wilton, Boothbay, Kennebunk, and
some illusions also to an interesting work in
Lancaster, N. H., in which several men from
this state had participated. The labor of evan.
gelists was recognized and more distinctly
commended than at some previous times; and
some instances of happy determination with
members of the so-called liberal bodies were
pleasantly received. Reference was made to
the great reformation now progressing in Eng
land, and the other revivals in this country,
and the conclusion reached was, that such
manifestations of power rest upon the previous
conversion of the church, as a foundation
stone.
AT IL a. M, the appointed conference sermon
was delivered by Rey. A. P. Tinker of Auburn,
from JOB 233 Subject "Man's need OF God"
Neither rest, permanence or happiness can be
found elsewhere. All that atheism offers for
the future is wall of despair. Quotations
were given from Herbert Spencer and Others of
like faith showing that all they propose as SUBJ
stitutes for the knowledge of and love of a per-
sonal God is, the absolute, the IDEAL the I'M
known. Better embrace the religion of the
Egyptians or the Greeks and Romans than to
| be content with this barren and lifeless moth
ing.
by Telegraph
A praise meeting was the first exercise in
the afternoon. Rev. MIR. Byington, Correspon-
ding Secretary, reported the number of church
es 24l, OF which III have ministers. There
are 16O ministers, 90 of them being pastors, is
hcentlates and the balance supplies. There are
1919 communicates in all and 1880 scholars
in the Sabbath schools. Contributions for the
| year $37.053. The question was then discussed
whether any changes are needed in the present
methods OF work, upon which remarks were
made by Rev. Mr.. Dickerman. He recon-
| mended that elders, deacons or some such Off
GERS be appointed from among permanent men,
bers who shall take living active part in
managing church affairs, and who shall be em-