The Portland daily press., 1876-11-18

On Thursday afternoon the Rev. B. B. Mer-
rill was ordained, and in the evening installed
pastor Of the First Congregational Society in
Searsport, made vacant by the resignation OF
Rev. j. Il. Adams, who was appointed Secre-
tary of the Maine Missionary Society in August
last
The Methodists are holding extra meetings
at Pittston, which are increasing in interest
Thirteen have recently ibecome interested in
religion. The Augusta praying band, led by
Mr. f I'll. Beale, has rendered very valuable
service.
Rev. Mr. Smith, present pastor of the Con-
gregational church at Waterford, lies in very
low state of health. Prospects of his recovery
are very doubtful.
The Sunday school workers of York county
are to hold convention at Wells in the First
Congregational church, Wednesday and Thurs
day, Nov % and %.
Francis E. Abbot will work harder to be
unhappy than any man in the country. What
troubles him now is that President Grant has
asked the people to thank God on Nov. 30.
This is a fragrant piece of religious despotism
and outrage, and shows how ''by degrees the
cunning Entertainments of the church on the
state have demoralzed public opinion that
nobody protests against it, But bless your soul,
MIR. Abbot, you won't be obliged to thank God,
IT you don't choose.
Rev.sMelville Mclaughlin of Bangor goes
to Calais to assume the charge of the Episcopal
parish in that city.
Methodsts Of the churches North and South
had meeting in Louisville lately, 10 celebra-
ton of the renewal of friendly relations.
Bishops Foster and Kavanaugh fell on each
others neck, scriptural fashion.
The Roman Catholics, who had scarcely a
parochial school in this country % years ago,
have now, according to SadlierS directory,
about 1900, with 200, 900 pupils
The New York Tribune says that the cost in
that city .of conducting a first-class church,
with an audience OF 800 to 1000, is about s15,..
900 year.
Prof. Patton defines sermon as rhetorical
organism evolved by genetic process from a
text
Rev. G. P. Nash of Rockland has received a
call to the pastorate of the Bates street Uni
versalist church in Lewiston.
The churches in Calais are holding union
temperance meetings on the first Sabbath even
ing of each successive month. TIE meetings
are held in the different churches inf rotation,
and are attended by crowded audiences.
Rev. j. W. Tarleton, who has supplied the
church in Sumner six months, closed his labors
there last Sabbath.
Rev. Sewall Brown, pastor of the Baptist
church in Guilford, has call to the pastorate
of the Minneapolis, Mimi, east side, Baptist
church.
The lions Herald says of Maine M. e
churches: There is religious interest in Cut
Ter and embroke.--During the quarterly
meeting at Edmunds, Nov. ID and Sd, thirteen
persons were baptized, all Of whom excepting
two were heads of families Seven were re-
ceived into full membership in the Methodist
church there on the Sabbath, Oct o9tb.-
There is good interest in Castine.
Rev. W. R. Cross, formerly of Orono, was
installed pastor of the Elm street Congrega
tional church, Camden, on Wednesday. The
services at the church in the evening were
opened by voluntary upon the organ, followed
by reading of the record of the council, when
Rev. B. S. Arey of thel methodist church read
the first hymn. Reading Of the Scriptures
followed by Rev. L. Goodrich, Warren; prayer
by Rev. Geo. W. Bower, Baptist, of Camden;
reading second hymn, Rev. J. A. Ross, Bel
fast, who also preached the installation from
Rom. 1:16. The sermon was followed by
prayer by Rev. DR.. Mason of Thomaston
charge by Rev. j. A. Adams, which was very
able and eloquent production. Rev. ID. M.
Davies of Rockport extended the right hand of
fellowship; hymn read by Rev. B B. Merrill,
Searsport; charge to the people by Rev. DIR.
land; closing with the benediction by the
DaStor