The Portland daily press., 1876-06-22
AFTERNOON.

ing session closed with prayer by Rev. j. F.
Eveleth,
AFTERNOON.
Convention met at o'clock. After singing,
prayer was offered by Rev. I'll. A. Sawtelle,
d. D. late of San Francisco. A very able and
interesting paper was then read by Rev. w.
I. Chase of Lewiston, on ''The agencies which
our churches may employ in evangelical work."
Two agencies especially were dwelt upon:-the
Press and the Voice or the circulation of tracts
and religious Literature, and the hand-to-hand,
heart-to-heart work of personal religious con-
versation. Short voluntary addresses followed
by f. W. McKenney and j. McWhinnie of
Portland, S. G. Sargent Of Augusta, and S. L.
B. Chase of Rockford.
The next paper was read by Rev. S. p Mer-
rill of Waterville on Special Associational
Meetings. Their value and the aid they may
impart to feeble churches was wildly por-
traye1. Rev DR.. Kicker of Augusta, Secreta-
ry OF the Convention, followed with earnest
testimony to the truth and importance of the
facts and suggestions just presented. The sub
ject was further discussed by Revs. Whitmarsh,
McWhinnie, Matthews, Richardson, Sargent,
Record and Riddell, some Of the speakers MAX
ing stirring appeals for large increase of such
effort on the part of the churches.
The Committee on Nominations reported the
names of the following for officers of the con-
vention:
Rev. A. r. Crane, President.
Rev. G. P Matthews, Vice President.
Rev. j. Kicker, Cor. Sec.
Rev. Fl. S. Burrage, Rec. Sec.
Prof j. B. Foster, Treas.
Trustees-J. G. White, w. H. Smaller, H. E.
Robbins, Moses Giddings, f. T. Hazelwood,
VIM. Wilson, o. B. Walker, II. c. Estes, E.
Rowell, G. L. HolbrooB, II. Croker, j. S.
Pattep, S. A. Kingsbury, w. o. Thomas, w.
T, Whitmarsh, j. McWhinnie, R. R. Riddell,
S. P. Merrill, w. t. Chase, N. Butler, G. c.
Callahan, w. c. Barrows, S. G. Sargent, g. B.
Ilsley. S. Kelley, S. L. B. Chase, G. Ell. Pills
bury, W. A. Reese, A. j. Nelson, w. o. Aver,
w. j. Corthell, N. T. Button, E. A. Van
Kleeck and G. M. Preston.
The report was adopted and the officers above
named were elected.
Rev. Mr.. Allen, President of the State In
dustrial School for Girls, extended an invita-
ton to the committee to visit that institution
and examine its workings.
AT o'clock the convention listened 10 Cen
tennial discourse from Rev. DR.. Smaller of
Portland, from John iv, 50: "Other men lab
ored and We have entered into their labors." 1t
was an able, extensive and earnest address,
exemplifying the history and progress of the
Baptist denomination in Maine, especially dur
ing the first half of the last hundred years.
Many interesting facts were presented amid
frequent manifestations Of approval
After singing adjourned with prayer by Rev.
DR.. Dexter of Massachusetts,,
EVENING.
Met at Z o'clock to consider the interests of
Sabbath Schools. After singing by the child
rem, prayer was offered by Rev. G. w. Preston.
Rev. Mr.. Matthews, chairman of the Commit
tee on Sunday Schools, then submitted series
of resolutions; taking the ground that the Sun
day School is properly certain department of
church work, and hence its organization should
be under the control and receive the personal
support and prayers of all the members of the
the church. The subject was discussed by
Messrs Preston, Nugent. Merrill, Cargll and
White.
After singing by the choir (Which was ex-
cellent) and prayer by Rev. G. 3. Ilsley of
Yarmouth the convention sermon was preach
ed by Rev. r. R. Riddell Of South Berwick,
from Isaiah liv. Q: "LeDgthen thy cords? &c.
A plea for endowment of Christian schools and
academies by the church. The speaker took
the ground, LIST, that the school is the centre of
power; ID, this power is benefcent when wed
ded to right principles Sd the school is power
mightiest when welded for God and truth
Much of the teaching in schools lcosens faith in
God. Hence the church should marry religion
and learning by endowing literally schools of
decided Christian influence. The address was
one of much ability and power, and was listen
ed to with intense. interest by the large audi
ence After singing by the choir the benedic-
ton was pronounced by Mr.. Robinson.
SECOND DAY.
The Board Of the Maine Baptist Education
met at a. m. and tran sacted its usual business.
A prayer and conference meeting was held at
the same hour in the church, conducted by Rev.
G. B. nsley. A meeting of the Womans
Missionary Society was also held at the same
hour.
At o'clock the convention was called 10 Or
der. Prayer was offered by lev. G. M. Pres
ton. Rev. H. S. Burrage moved that the re-
port of the Board be presented in printed form.
The constitution was so changed as to fix the
time of the anniversaries On the fourth Tues
day of Jnne instead of the third. A constitu-
ton organizing the Maine Baptist Charitable
Society was adopted. This society is designed
to aid INDECENT Baptist ministers and their
widows and orphans. C.F.H