The Portland daily press., 1878-09-16
RELIGIOUS UoNvOCATTON.
Maine Association of the New Jerusalem
Church.

Portlaud-Rev. w. B. Hayden, L. f. Pipgree
Benz. Kingsbury, Jr., G. A Lamson, Marciar
Seavy, d. P. Perkins, G. Fl. Barr.
BATH. b. Swanton, Arthur Sewall
The Rev. w. B. Hayden moved that all whit
accepted the heavenly doctrines of the New
church be invited to take seats in the associa
tion and participate in the deliberations, ani
| the motion was carried.
The Treasurer, Oliver Gerrish, presented his
report, which was accepted. Balance in the
treasury, $5621.
Rev. VIM. Hayden addressed the meeting,
bringing to their attention the methods of con
Quoting the affairs of the new church in Great
Britain, and presented pamphlets from sources
in Great Britain, referring to the church fol
the benefit of the church in the United States.
In England they carry the church down to the
ultmates. Ecclesiastical love leads to the love
of minute things connected with the church.
With these things done well, these, the u.ti-
mates, are what builds up the church and
makes it meet with success. He favored the
colporteur system of distributing their publica.
tions, and moved to revive the colporteur work
in the State of Maine.
Following these remarks Mr.. L F. Pingree,
uOAcSoeO 'holA Oho iouo, opohO Vi VIC
work. Fifteen years ago, when this work was
commenced in this state, the doctrines of the
New Church were not so we'll known as now,
but the thoughts of those then were that there
must be something about the religion that was
very beautiful. Ignorance and superstition
were rife in relation to the knowledge of people
in regard to the New Church, but that is now
dying out aud the New Church doctrines are
now becoming the crown of all doctrines of
the Christion Church. The colporteurs awak-
ened an interest and caused many to open their
sight to see what they were believing in their
doctrines, but when the light of Emanuel
Swedenborg's doctrines were thrown in con-
trast with that of general beliefs, the new light
had great effect in the minds of those who read
the heavenly doctrines. The church is better
known now in this state than years ago. and
people are more ready to receive intelligence on
spiritual things.
Rev. S. f. Dixie of B ath then spoke of the
missionary work in Nova Scotia and the prov
inces and the need of announcing the doctrines
in all places. Books have been scattered
through the western part of the province of
Nova Scotia and the people have been receiving
the doctrines unconsciously. Only two minis
tiers have as yet been 10 that provir ce. Speak
ing of the Second Adventists, ne said they took
natural views of religion Swedenborgianism
spiritual views.
The following gentlemen were then appointed
a committee to report upon the expediency Of
placing colporteur in the field:
Rev. DR.. Dixie. Rev. VIM. B. Hayden, DR..
Burr and Benz, Klpgsbury, Jr
The convention then adjourned to $50 p. m.
At 1130 o'clock Rev. John Worcester of
Newtonvi!le, Mass, delivered the opening dis
course from Isaiah xii, 45.
At So the association was called to order by
the President. The committee on the matter
relating to colporteur for the state reported and
submitted the following resolution:
ReSozyed, That a colporteur be employed and
sent into the field, to remain as long as he can
be supported.
The report was accepted and the resolution
adopted.
The following committee were appointed
with authority to carry out the resolution:
Rev. DR.. Dixie, Oliver Gerrish, Dr. c. 81.
Burr, Arthur Sewall and w. H. Lowell.
The report of the Portland Society was then
read, in which they referred to the deaths of
Mr.. A. M. Burton and Mr.. James S. Bedlow
thus:
Among those who have been so recently call
ed to tie spiritual world we would mention
with especial tenderness Mr.. A. NJ. Burton, an
earnest worker in the church and general
benefactor in the community. He was kind,
noble and good, and loved by all who knew
him. He was fine B BILE student, which fact
made him particularly useful 10 the Sabbath
School, in which be always had fourishing
class Of young people. His advice in matters
apertaning to the society was always sought,
was always valued, was always sound. He left
as rich legacy the example of a noble, up
right life.
We would also mention with affection Mr.
James S. Bedlow, whose sudden death at Pine
Point during the summer was such shock to
the community. Mr.. Bsdlow was very infn-
entail citizen and was universally esteemed.
Holding many offices of trust he always proved
himself efficient and faithful His kind, gem
ial nature drew around him many friend
while in his family he was ever the faithful
husband and loving father. Although never
haviog formally united with the church he was
yet believer in the new church doctrines and
one of our most active workers, and, we doubt
not will be actively engaged in works of use In
the o her world.
The report Of the Bath society was then read.
Only three of the original members are now
living. A letter was read from Mrs. Eliza A.
Gage of Rochester, N. H. Rev. Mr.. Stowe of
Fryeburg made few remarks concerning the
church in that place anj favored the employ.
ing of coIportuer. Remarks were then made
by Rev. John Worcester aud Mrs. Sawyer of
Hartford, Conn.
The following officers were elected for the
ensuing year:
President-Rev. S. f. Dixie of Bath
Secretary-W. FL. Lowell of Portland.
Treasurer-Oliver Gerrish of Portland.
Executive Committee-Dr G. Ell. Burr, J.
P. Baxter, Portland; W. B. Perkins, Gardiner,
j. K. Morse, Augusta.
In the evening Rev. Wm. B. Hayden made
some very interesting remarks and gave some
statistics concerning missionary work in Aus.
tralia and India, which tended to show that
this opening up of The new light IN Gentle
lands was due to the il fuence of the Lord
second coming in his revealed world. Rev.
DR.. Dixie spoke briefly, and ably as to the gen.
eral missionary work need I'd in America Rev.
Mr.. Sewall, President of Urbana University,
gave beautiful address on New Church Edu-
cation and the great need of it in this skeptical
age.
Prof. Frank Sawall of Uroans, O., preached
in the morning from Mark 14:24, lord, be-
leve; help thou mine unbeief." He spoke of
the original belief that the destruction of
the world aud heavens would be literal, and
said that it was known through the New
Church that these prophecies should be taken
spiritually and that they have come to pass.
TheSun has indeed fallen fom heaven when
matefialsm is every where boldly proclaimed.
Oar lecture-hearng community is constantly
taught that there is 10 God al that the day of
believing in the Christian religion is past. The
New Churchmsn needs not TO be taught be.
lief in God, or that everything proceeds from
him; but it is important to know that
faith is a gift from God, precious
pearl, and it is never cast before swipe
Frequent remembering holy truth is not faith,
but Is little germ which leads 20 it. The
world is much the same striving world that it
was ages ago. What has faith in the Chris
tian religion done for mankind? 1t has opened
% IN Gnd nd hoo l.; 60