The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-06-18
State Congregational Conference.
FoxCRoFT, June 16.

FoxCRoFT, June 16.
At business session after the close of yes
terday afternoons exercises, proposition to
issue manual containing a descriptive state
ment Of the evangelical doctrine and of Con-
gregational polity,for the use of such churches
as might desire it, was defeated after an ami
mated discussion. This action, based without
doubt upon sincere convictions of duty, is
somewhat Objectionable on account of its liza
bility to be misunderstood and misrepresented.
Hereafter it may be said that Maine Congre-
gationalism afirms nothing, and only retreat
"behind pale negations' the lambs of
the focks who inquire for the green pastures
are to be referred to the wolves for guidance
and that the latest form of intolerance con-
sists in not allowing others to express the same
opinions that we entertain.
A crowded house in the evening listened to
an address on foreign missions from Rev. E.
K. Allen of Boston, one of the secretaries of
the American Board. Special mention was
made of the participation of our State in this
great work-one of the first five missionaries
sent to foreign lands was from Maine, and
since that time 66 others have gone out. Rev.
DR.. Rufus Anderson, with his worldwide rep
utation from his long connection with the
board, and Rev. B. G. Snow, the Jealous and
faithful missionary to Micronesia, were sons
of Maine.
Rev. DIR. Tenney of Ellsworth presided over
brief session of the Maine Charitable Socie-
ty, when the report of the treasurer, Rev. j.
K. Adams was read
The various iuterastc If tho NTa;,,a NT;,r;o,,
airy Society occupied the entire forenoon of to-
day.
The annual sermon from Rev. E. Chase of
Biddeford, Matt. XII, Z, described under appro-
pirate heads, "The spiritual dependence of the
city upon the country.V This pastor from the
city encouraged the hearts of the missionaries
of the society who labor almost exclusively in
the waste places of the State, by showing the
grandeur of their work and its opportunities
as far surprising all the coveted and imagined
privileges of the city minister. Possibly some
of the nice conceits and classical illusions of
the discourse glanced off from the hardy
pioneer in gospel work, but those who read it
when published will not fail to find it sound
and substantial.
The report of the faithful and indefatigable
servant Of the society, Joshua Maxwell of
IorIldnu, lor many years us treasurer, showed
the present indebtedness to be $780, The av-
erage salary of the missionaries was shown to
be only $3.50.
The secretary, Rev. j. E. Adams, in long
statistical report, covered the entire field Of
labor during the year.
Prof. Ladd and Rev. Mr.. Fisher of Bruns-
wick earnestly advocated the supreme claims
OF this society upon Christian benevolence
Nearly all OF the evening meeting was
subsequently occupied by speakers, Rev. Mr..
Dickerman OF Auburn making an elaborate
presentation of the good work accomplished
by this society
The: entire afternoon was given up to those
educational institutions of the State, in which
this denomination is specially interested.
DR.. Warren of Portland, in behalf of a COM
mittee consisting of himself, DR.. Torsey of
Yarmouth, and Mr.. Barrows of Fryeburg, re-
ported the favorable impressions received from
a recent visit to Bowdoin College.
Prof. Ladd, who only year ago was set
tied pastor in Milwaukee, assured the Confer
ence of his new interest in the college, and
especially of his desire for the spiritual well
fare OF the students. In preparing a course
OF lectures he had been surprised to find such