The Portland daily press., 1879-06-27
The BAPTIST Anniversaries.

At s o'clock Tuesday evening the
convention met to listen to sermon
by Rev C. G. Harwood of Eastport.
Text II Cor. x, 4.-'The weapons of our war
fare are not carnal but mighty through God to
the pulling down of strongholds. The points
considered were:
THE weapons-the living gospel given by
God life alone will resuscitate
1.-THE use of weapons a warlike man
ner as soldier we are to be self oblivious; the
will of the soldier is to be baptized in the Will
of the commander; we are to manifest self
oblivion for the sake OF aggression; we are to
manifest in little matters.
III-The secret of the right use Of the
weapons-mighty through God.
The sermon was earnest and inspiring.
Wednesday morning the convention met at
9 o'clock. Prayer was offered by Rev. A. j.
Padelford of Calais.
The report of the committee on obituaries was
presented by Rev. N. Butler, d. D., OF North
Vassalboro. Reference was made to the Key.
Messrs. Eben Powell, Phineas Bond, A. M.
Piper, Daniel Anthouse, d. ?. Baily, VIM.
Poole, John Richardson, j. F. Paige, Hosea
Pierce Amasa Bryant, A. w. Cummings, who
have died within the last year.
At $40 the report ON foreign missions was
presented by Rev. Ii. W. Tilden of Augusta
Addresses were made by Rev. W. s. Nc
Kensie of Boston and Rev. F. I'll. Evelyth of
Toungoo' Burmah.
Mr. McKensie said he plead not for an
organization, not for missionaries, not Tor the
heather, but for Christ.
The average contribution of the Baptists OF
Maine was last year rs cents per member. Is
not much more than this wasted?
He also said that the large increase during
the last year-1S00 have been baptized in the
several fields-should encourage us toa believe
that prayer is still answered. and also en-
courage us to renewed conservation to mis-
sionaly work.
Rev. Mr.. Evelyth urged the brethren to
help the heather whose religion gives them no
hope.
illustrations of the hopeless condition of the
heather were given.
The report on home missions was presented
by Rev j. McWhinnie of Portland
Rev. d. Mason, Corresponding Secretary of
A. B. Home Mission Society, then addressed
the meeting.
He said the average contribution of Baptists
in Maine was cents per member; contrary to
| Mr.. McKense he did plead for society, for
| missionaries, for new parishes, for need OF the
| gospel He plead for the missionaries who had
| Christ within them. He urged especially on
| the Baptists women the work of educating and
| elevating the degraded women in the South.
| People are as degraded in our own country as
among the TeloogooS.
| The report of the committee on publications
| was presented by Rev. f. w. Ryder of Rock
| port.
The Baptist Review, quarterly periodical,
started the last year by DIR. Bawnes OF Gin
| cinnati, o., was commended to the convention
| by Rev. e. X. Chandler.
| The report on temperance was presented by
| Rev. N. L. Button of Warren.
The report on credentials was presented by
| Rev. A. A. Smith of Turner. There are pre-
| sent 70 ordained ministers, 30 lay delegates
visiting brethren.
The report on Sabbath schools was presented
| by w. o. Aver of Skowhegan.
1t was recommended that Sabbath School
meetings should be held among the different
associations.
The committee on place and preacher recon-
mended Augusta as the place, Rev. N. L
Dutton as the preacher, Rev w. FL. Spencer
as alternate.
| At II o'clock Rev. w. o. Aver of Skowhe
gan read paper, subiect-''To what extent il
it the fault OF methods now employed in oul
communities that so many of our converts fai
to perSevere?"
1t was shown by testimony of others and o
the essayist that the evil exists.
What is the remedy? The evil perhaps
cannot be fully removed as may be inferred
from the parable of the tares; but we can guar'
against extension of the evil The trouble il
that there is too much revival machinery
| Converts (using the word in the popular no
| the strict sense) think all is done when they
come to an anxious seat rise for prayers, etc
They thus depend on rites the whole thin
tends toward ritualism; tends to dependence
on legal righteousness rather than on the con
verting grace of God
Pastors are to present the gospel. Gu
work is not to make converts, but to preac
the gospel which the Holy Spirit will bless t
the conversion of souls
Parents are to educate their children in tn
birth. They are not to leave 4his altogether t.
the Sunday School teachers and pastors.
A very spirited discussion followed, partic
mated in by Brother McWhinnie Kicker
Nugent and Taylor The work of irresponsible
persons travelling over the State was repre-
hended, and it was hoped the churches woul
be especially careful as to the fitness OF thos
whom they welcome to work with them.
The right hand of fellowship was extende
to Rev. Messrs. Spencer, Hanson, White an
Ufford who have entered our ministry durin
the last year.
After reading letter of fraternal greetin
} from the Congregational conference the COZ
l vention adjourned to meet at the call of til
| President