The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-06-26
RELIGIOUS ANNIVERSARIES.
General Conference Of the Congregation
al Churches of Maine.
WINTHROP ,June "a 1870

General Conference Of the Congregation
al Churches of Maine.
WINTHROP, June "a, 1879.
The fifty-third annual meeting of this body
was opened in the Congregational church at
a. m. In the absence of the Moderator, VIM.
E. Gould OF Portland was chosen Moderator
pro tenn. After the usual devotional services,
Rev. F. Southworth of Portland, Prof Fletch-
er of Castine, and Mr.. Packard were chosen a
committee on credentials.
Rev A. S. Park of Gardiner, Rev. j. E.
Adams of Bangor and Geo. B. Barrows of
Fryeburg were chosen a committee to report
upon the expediency of holding the conference,
one week earlier, and thus not interfere with
the anniversaries at Andoyer, Bowdoin and
Yale.
Rev. II. S. Huntington Of Gorham read
paper upon Sabbath Dissertation" suggesting
the best methods of resisting and abating it,
referring to the binding obligation of the COM
mandment of God, mans physical need of rest,
and the harmony of the Sabbath with all that
is true, and beautiful, and good. Ralph Wal
do Emerson was quoted in defence of the day
of rest, and the eminent statesman of France,
who declared that there could be no religion
without worship, and no worship without the
Sabbath 1t was voted that this paper be
printed in the minutes Of the conference, and
in the Christian Mirror. Rev. DR.. Fiske of
Bath sustained and enforced the positions TAX
en- in the paper.
Rev. B. Tappan, d. D., of Norridgewock,
presented a report upon resolve submitted at
the last conference, which proposed the en-
dowment of three schools in different parts of
the state as preparatory schools for Bowdoin
College. The report was a conservative en-
dorsement of the resolve, at the same time rec
ommending for the present, concentration of
aid and effort upon the central institution To-
Gated at Hallowell.
The organization of the conference was COM
pleted at the beginning of the afternoon ses-
sion by the choice of w. E. Gould of Portland
as Moderator, Rev. A. S. Park of Gardiner
Corresponding Secretary, and E. f. Duren of
Bangor Recording Secretary.
The annual report of the state of the church
es was given by Rev. e. H. Byington, late of
Brunswick.
Number of church members in the state,
q, 543-647 males, 10, 164 females About IS
per cent are absentees. Whole number of ad-
ditions, 1882. Number of deaths, removals and
dismissions, 744. Net gain, 1888. In the Sab
bath Schools, 81 ,160.
L
with modern skepticism?" received able and
earnest consideration in paper by Rev. Geo.
S. Dickerman of Lewiston. The expounder of
divine truth should use no apologize methods
Impotence of mysteries should not be en-
couraged The Christian should initiate
Christ, who preached himself, and the Apos-
ties, who manifested the truth in their lives.
Paul's gospel was Paul-the gospel imperson-
ated-holy living.
A very animated discussion of the same
fill in, ,;aI,D rof of Ror,-
gor, Rev. E. Chase of Bddeford, Rev. Mr.
Byington, DIR. Hamln of Bangor, and Rev.
Smith Baker of Lowell, Mass. expressed sub
stantial agreement with the paper read, COM
mending the power of Gods word, the resist
less source of Christian life. An infidel pro-
SCISSOR in New England college. recently con-
verted, recommended ministers to preach
faith in Jesus Christ as the best antidote to
infidelity.
Dr. Hamlin commented with just severity
on the presumptuous methods of infidel spec
ialsts who desert their own domain, by first of
all assuming to be theologians. He had not
the slightest fear of infdelity outside of the
church. He only deplored tendency in the
church to weakening of faith in regard to
the inspiration and authority of Gods word.
1t is quite evident that the stole and the SEN
timentalist, and the mere scientist in the realm
of religion, has no standing room in this body
of believers.
In the evening at I. 80 the Maine Congrega-
tional Charitable Society held its annual SEES
sion, its object being to aid the widows and Or
phans of deceased ministers, Rev. Mr.. Bying
ton in the chair.
From the report of the Treasurer, Rev. j.
E. Adams, it appears that the sum of $S45 was
the total amount in the treasury during the
year. A collection was taken up.
AT Sp. m. the conference sermon was de-
livered by Rev. John S. Sewall, D. d., of Ban
gor, from Matt. AIT. An earnest desire to
proclaim the gospel truth here contained,
characterized this earnest and interesting dis
course.
Allusion to this discourse recalls the fact
that ON Monday evening Rev. Smith Baker of
Lowell delivered an able discourse at the YES
try of the Congregational church. Although
not announced ON the printed order of exer-
cises it received the close attention of an in
terested audience.
The delightful weather, coupled with the
admirable arrangements and Inequalities of
our hosts, and the harmony OF the discussions,
promise pleasant session.
WINTHROP, June %, 1879
At the morning session the anniversary of
the Maine Missionary Society was observed.
Successful work has been done, but the hard
times have caused debt. Prompted by the
Rev. Smith Baker of Lowell, Mass, enthusiast
tic pledges were made for the support of the
state missionary work the coming year.
The conference received with marked favor
tHC OlOquOilo NY ieON oOOi 50 ie'
Merrill of Biddeford on the Gospel pattern
of missionary work.
In the afternoon the Woman's Board of
Missions held crowded and earnest meeting.
President Chamberlain addressed the confer
ence on the mutual relations of Bowdoin Col
lege and the churches. The Boston Secretary
spoke for the great benevolent societies. The
committee on Bangor Seminary reported fav-
orably and recommended enlarged instructions
in languages.
Hon. Joshua Nye and Principal Burr pre-
sented the claims of the Hallowell Classical
School. The school has won first place in
instruction, but needs and deserves funds.
Mrs. Daniel P. Stone of Maiden, Mass, has
given it $4,000; BENZ. Sewall of Boston $4,000;
and others $4,000 The coming year S25 900
more Will be raised.
The evening hour brought weighty report
from DR.. Hamlin ON creeds, and an animated
discussion of the missionary work in the state
the most stir ring meeting of the session.
The Maine Baptist Anniversaries.
BANGOR, June "a.
By the arrangement of the trains many of
the delegates were in Bangor on Monday eve.
1t was therefore deemed best to have the
do tod 1lv To