Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-06-12

Aennebec Conferesee Of ConxreeasienaI
Churches.

Aehnebec Conference Of CongreGational
Charehes.
The 6lst annual meeting of Congregation
churches of Kennebec county, met in Adams
Memorial Chapel at Vassalboro, on Tuesday.
Ine meetings continued Monday, Tuesday
and Wednesday. Representative were
present from nearly all the churches in the
county. devotional meeting was held for
nan an hour at the opening of the exercises,
led BY Rev. w. C. Curtis.
Inc Conference organized at ii O'Clock
A. NJ. Tuesday by choice of Rev. W. c.
curtis of Richmond as moderator, and Rev.
Frederick Newport of South Gardiner.
Sribe.
The Scribe gave an interesting report of
the churches of the conference.
The afternoon meeting opened with brief
devotional exercises, followed by discussion
on church members. lst, Their obligations
to the church" by Rev. A. W. jenkins of
Gardiner; I'd, Their Obligation to the
community" by Rev. Thomas P Williams
of Winslow; Sd, 'sTheir obligations to
foreign Minister'S" by John B. Bradbury, of
Waterville.
The interests of the American Missionary
Society were ably presented BY B. r. Viii
son, young colored man. graduate of At
Ianta University of Georgia, and Howard
Law School at Cambridge. Mr.. Wilson is
pleasant and forcible speaker and presented
the claims of his race upon the christian peo-
pie of the country, with peculiar excellence
and interest. The question, What claims
have the children upon the churches" was
ably discussed by Rev. E. n. Smith of Wa
terville.
The evening exercises opened BY q praise
sQryina h, oc
Winthrop, followed by reading of Scriptures
by Rev. Thomas p. Williams, and prayer BY
Rev. F. Newport.
Rev. A. Skeele of Augusta gave a very
interesting sermon Subject, "The work and
influence OF the Holy Spirit" Mr.. Skeele is
recent but very able addition to the minis
terial force of this conference.
Excellent music was furnished by Mrs.
Gilbert, Miss Getchell and Messrs. A. S. Low
and f. c. Barrows.
WEDNESDAY FORENOON.
An interesting devotional meeting was held
for half an hour. led by Deacon Henry
Woodward of Winthrop.
The nominating committee, consisting of
Rev. E. N. Smith. Deacon Henry Woodward
and Rev. Frederick Newport, reported as
follows, viz: Visitor to Bangor Theological
Seminary. Rev. Frederick Newport. Dele
gates to The general conference at BiddefOrd.
Rev. A. Skeele, Augusta; Rev. Edward
Chase, Hallowell; Deacon H. L. Crosby,
Benton and J. NJ. Larrabee. Gardiner.
Place of semi-annual meeting in October,
1884, Winslow. Committee of arrangement.
Rev. Thomas p. Williams. Deacon E. NJ.
Paterson. f. N. Smith. Place of annual
meeting. in June, 1885, Richmond. Commit
tee of arrangements. Rev. w. C. Curtis,
vanI
Preacher of annual meeting, Rev. Thomas
p. williams, primary; Rev. r. w. Jenkins.
substitute.
The question "Relation of the Church to
the Prohbitory Amendment" was ably dis
cussed bv Rev. William +. Obear of Win
throp, Rev. w. S. McIntire, President of
State Alliance, Waterville REV. J.T. Halves.
Litchfield; and Rev. A. Skeele. Augusta.
Dea. Henry Woodward, presented the
following resolution, which were adopted.
Resolved, That we hereby express our
belief that of all questions of public policy
now demanding the attention and cOnsidera-
ton of the christian citizen, there is none so
important or so urgent in its claims as the
cause of temperance, affecting as it does, the
finaL cial, moral, and religious interest of
the whole community.
Resolved, That as the policy of prohibi-
pursue in dealing with that terrible evil, the
liquor traffic, the proposition to engraft that
policy upon the fundamental law of the
State, and thereby place it where it will be
safe from the vicissitudes of political
changes, demands the support of every
christian citizen. by voting for the prohibi-
tory, constitutional amendment at the COM
ing election.
| Prof L. Rolfe, A. NJ, spoke for a few
minutes in behalf of the Hallowell Classical
school. Rev. Edward Chase presented the
following resolutions, which were adopted /;
Resslred That this conference request the trustees
of the Halowell Classical school to present full
statement of the financial condition Of the academy
at the next S ate conference, and state how the
moneys donated therefor have been appropriated.
Resolved That the present welfare and continued
existence of the Hallowel Classical school demands
the help of all its friends and this conference urges
upon the State conference the necessity Of taking
steps at their annual meeting for the careful inves
tigation OF its AFFAIRS and II they be found hopeful,
to recommend to the churches such immediate efforts
in its behalf as may seem advisable to the State
conference.
The question, "Christian GROWTH" 1st, Its
necessity was End. Hind-ances. were criti-
cally discussed by Rev. W. c. Curtis of
Richmond, and Dea. Henry Wood yard of
Winthrop.
AFTERNOON.
A very able sermon was preached
by Rev. Edward Chase Of Halo
well, from the text, "Jesus answered them,
have not l chosen you twelve. and one of
you is q devil'-John s 20; subject, "Rep-
resentstive Church Members; 1st, A fault
less choice; End, A full count; 3rd, A
forming character.
The entertainment of the members Of the
conference bv the Vassalboro church and So
ciety was all that could be desired. Rev. F.
G. Clutter, pastor of the church, was very
watchful for the comfort of all the guests.
The ladies prepared sumptuous dinner on
Wednesday, in hall near the chapel. for all
visitors, and none went away dissatisfied.
The session of the conference has been one
of unusual interest and spiritual profit.
SUPERIOR COUNT.