The Portland daily press., 1884-08-09
METHODIST CENTENNIAL.
Ten Thousand Peaple at Lake
Maranocook Yesterday.
AN INTERESTING OCCASION
Especial to the Press,)

| LAKE MARANocooK, Aug. S.-Fully ten
thousand people attended the Maine Methodist
| Centennial Sabbath school celebration here
today. The morning was perfect but heavy
shower rendered the afternoon rather uncom
Portable The speakers and musicians arrived
by the regular morning trains, reaching the
lake little after eleven.
| Prof Wilson f. Morse, Kent's Hill conser-
vatofy of music, has been training chorus Of
| 200 voices from the Sabbath schools along the
| line of the Maine Central; and Mrs Morse
played the accomplishments very aeceptably
A brass quartette from Glovers Auburn Band,
composed of Messrs. Glover, johnson, league
and Wilson assisted.
Hon. Joseph A. Locke of Portland called
the meeting to order soon after the arrival OF
the first trains. The Boy band of Brunswick
played familiar air, after which Rev. j. M.
Williams of Pine street church, Portland, in
voked the divine blessing. The literary exer-
cises were as follows:
The Christian Conference REV. A. H. Pottle, P. e
Augusta District.
Methodism and the Sunday Scheol-Rev. A. S. Ladd
A. M, Bildeford.
The Relation of Methodism to Education-Rev. E.
M. Smith, A. M, President OF the Maine Yves
leyan Seminary at Kent's Hill.
The intermission was spent in various amuse-
seen.
Afternoon Session.
Promptly at two O'Clock order was again re-
stored by the presiding officer.
After music by the chorus choir prayer was
offered by Rev. Alden F. Chase, A. M, presi-
dent Bucksport Seminary.
Brief and effective speeches were made by
Rev. W. H. Williams, Belfast, ON Methodism
and Missions.
Rev. G. F. Allen, D. D., P. e. Lewiston Dis
trict, historical sketch of Methodism in
Maine.
Rev. L. L. Hanscom, Bucksport, the future
of Methodism.
Rev. I. Luce was to speak on the reeds of
Methodism.
While the speaking was going on collec-
tion had been taken which amounted to so
much less than the sum required Mr.. Luce
urged only one "need" of Methodism which
was money enough to pay the incidental ex-
peDses Of the centennial celebration. A heavy
shower Of rain, not money, brought t. speech
and exercises to an abrupt termination.
Rev F. @. Rogers. Lewiston, pronounced
the benediction, and the crowd rushed for
whatever friendly shelter they were able to
find. The platform looked like morning
mushroom bed.
Train after train backed in, filled and rolled
away without seeming to diminish the crowd
in the least. But by five o'clock the wet, wea.
ry, but good natured crowd was safely started
on its homeward way. The last train for Port
land was made up Of twenty two cars Rev.
Messrs Williams and Lindsay deserve great
credit fer the smocthness with which every.
thing was carried out.
What came near being serious accident was
prevented by the brave act of an unknown
hero. The five year old son of Mr.. William
Burnham Of Portland, was standing Oh the
wharf looking into the water. A boat whistle
startled the little fellow, he lost his balance
and fell into the water unnoticed by all save
young man who was standing by one of the
restaurant windows. Without moments hes
itation he leaped from the window, plunged
after the drowning child and rescued him. The
stranger paused only long enough to give the
child into the arms OF its half distracted moth
er and then quietly mingled with the crowd
without giving his name or allowing her to ex-
press her great gratitude.