Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-10-13
THE UHrTAnlANs.
exercises OF the Closing Day OF Their
Annual Conference.

The annual conference of the Maine Uni.
tartan churches, held at Christ church, this
city, closed Thursday. The attendance at the
different meetings was not so large as on the
preceding day, as many of the delegates de-
parted on the early trains. The devotional
meeting at SIS o'clock, conducted by Rev.
L. B. Macdonald of Ellsworth, was a yery
interesting and profitable service. After a
hymn had been sung and prayer offered, Rev.
MIR. Macdonald spoke earnestly on the neces-
sity of embodying religion in our everyday
life. Remarks on the same topic were made
by Rev. j. b. Greene Of Boston, Geo F.
Talbot, Esq, of Portland, Rev DIR. Sheldon
OF Waterville, Rev. DIR. Nichols of Saco and
Mr.. Bartlett of Litchfeld
At $50 o'clock the business meeting was
called to order by Geo. F. Talbot, Esq. Rev.
Grindail Reynolds of Boston. secretary of
the American Unitarian Association. was in
troduced, and addressed the conference on
the mission of Unitarianism. He spoke elo-
quently on the necessity of establishing new
churches and extending the influence of the
denomination wherever there is an opportun-
ity. To do this it is necessary that the con-
tributions for missionary work shall be
largely increased. He advocated greater
regularity and liberality in giving, among the
churches. Miss Abbie May of Boston spoke
on the best way for women to work in the
churches. Mrs S. j. Barrows of Boston, wife
of the editor Of the Christian Register secre-
tary of the Woman's Auxiliary, advocated es-
tablishing branches of her society in every
parish as powerful means of increasing the
religious spirit and zeal and fervor in mis-
sionary work. Rev. J. b. Greene spoke on
the necessity of disseminating Unitarian
literature, and increasing the circulation of
the denomnational paper. Rev. Geo. Piper
of Boston opened the discussion on SUNDAY
school work" dwelling on the Importance Of
the Sunday school, and the encs to be
accomplished there and the means to be en-
ployed. He was followed by other gentlemen
on the same topic. Resolutions were passed
extending the thanks of the conference TO the
society in Augusta and families of other
societies for their delightful and generous
hospitality; to the various preachers and
essayists who have taken part in the
exercises, and to the Maine Central r. r.
and the Machias Steamboat Co, for their
lib,rality in reducing fares of the delegates.
At ~ o'clock the delegates to the confer.
eDce remaining in the city repaired to the
vestry of the Universalist church where a
collation. awaited them. Long tables covered
with snowy cloth were spread, laden with
crockery. and ornamented with flaming
branches of naples and sumacs. The aroma
of coffee and the odor of savory viands it'll
lated the olfactories. The collation. was
heartily enjoyed. When the appettes were
appeased, ex-Gov. Connor, who presided
called the merry company to order, and made
few happy remarks. Brief after dinner
speeches were then made by Rev. w. r.
Alger of Portland, Rev. J. T. G. Nichols,
d. D., of Saco. Rev. J. Locke of Castine,
Rev Grindall Reynolds of Boston,
Rev. ii f. Mott, Rev. II. w. Tilden,
Tilden, Rev. A. c. White. G. F. Talbot,
Esq. of Portland, Rev. Geo. Piper and
Rev. J. b. Green of Boston, and others.
These exercises were heartily enjoyed by all,
and made pleasant ending Of a most helpful
and profitable conference.