The Portland daily press., 1884-06-20
The Congregationalists.
LAST DAYS PROCEEDINGS OF THE
STATE CONFERENCE.
A Large Amount of Business Ira ms acted

STATE CONFERENCE.
Large Amsunt of Business Ira ms acted
BIDDEFoRD, June 10.
Before the close OF yesterdays session of the
Conference, reports of visitors to the educa-
tional institutions in the State were made,
Rev. W. P. Fisher OF Brunswick reporting for
the Hallowell school, Rev. 7. s. Perry Of
Cumberland for Bowdoin College, and DR..
Warren of Portland for Bangor Seminary. A
committee was appointed to investigate the
Hallowell school, consisting of Rev. w. P.
Fisher, Prentiss Loring and Deacon j. s,
Wheelwright.
The report on Bowdoin College presented a
fiattering state of things in the college, though
IL needs the prayers ~-a onanaration Of the
churches still and increasingly.
The report on Bangor Seminary showed the
institution is manned with competent instruct
ors, whose work was commended. Prof Paine
made an appeal to the churches, stating that il
was the first time in fourteen years an appeal
had been made. Deacon j. S. Wheelwright
spoke on the financial needs of the seminary,
and gave review of its financial condition
since the first meeting of the board of trustees
A call is now made for 100000 The estimat-
ed value OF the land and buildings in Bangor
is 500 900; fund invested, $4,000; total, S264-
OOU. This amount came from different sources
Bangor alone having given not less than $780,
600. To this is to be added, for real estate oc-
cupied by the house of Prof. Sewall, So, 600;
the Tslcott fund, 5000; amount raised out
side of Maine, $4,000; leaving the amount
paid by all the rest of Maine, $685. 900.
Prof. Sewall then gave a ringing speech for
the seminary, followed by an impressive ad-
dress by Prof. Stearns.
Rev. e. Bean offered the following resolu-
ton:
Resolved, That this Conference tender to the pro-
fessors and trustees of Bangor Seminary their
hearty confidence and sympathy in the work and
wants of the institution and pledge to them their
cooperative support and prayers.
This was seconded by Rev. R. W. Emerson,
and was adopted. The benediction was then
pronounced by Rev. E. Emerson, and the
meeting adjourned until evening.
The evening session was devoted to consid-
ering the work of the Maine Missionary Socie-
ty and the Bangor Theological Seminary.
Rev. G. M. Howe of Lewiston Conducted the
devotional exercises.
Professor Sewsll begged the indulgence of
the conference for few moments. He recalled
"Reminiscences of the war, showing that this is
an anniversary day, for it was twenty years
ago touay bnatsJ OSnua IL. chamberlain was
made brigadier general on the battlefield,
where he was left for dead. The speech
was received with prolonged applause General
Chamberlain was visibly affected, but respond
ed eloquently.g
Mr.. McCully spoke of the work of the
society in Washington county and gave a
sketch of the work done there since Father
Carruther's time; there are fourteen churches
there now.
Mr.Christie spoke Of the need of missionaries
in Aroostook county.
Mr.. j. L. Crosby of Bangor treasurer, made
an able speech in praise of the self-sacrifce of
the churches and people of Maine.
Addresses were also made on the society's
work by Rev. e. l.. Walbridge, and Rev. P.
u. Thayer Of Garland, after which the meet
ing closed with the benediction.
THURSDAYS SESSION.
After devotional exercises Rev. DR.. l. P.
Warren reported for the committee on the sale
OF impure literature The report spoke of the
enOrmity and insidious character of the evil
and offered the following resolution, which
was adopted:
zsssosocSs THAI 4skpO1ntoa
by the conference, consis ting OF the moderator,
Gen. j. L. Chamberlain, Hon. s! E. Humphrey Of
Bangor, Hon. Joseph Titcomb of Kennebunk Rev.
81 r. f. M S o. Calais together with the commit
rem, Rev. Il. L. Bayley and Rev. G.. II. Daniels
with power to fill vacancies, who shall consider the
present laws bearing on the subject Of corrupting
literature and what further legislation may be
needed for its effective suppression shall memorial
ize the Legislature of the State If needful shall do
what is advisable to rouse public sentiment the
subject; correspond and cooperate with any other
similar committees that may be appointed and in
al proper ways seek to remove this fruitful source
OF Generalization and crime from among US.
Professor Paine reported resolutions on Sab
bath desscration, which were adopted:
ResolUed, That we regard the Lords Day or
Christian Sabbath as a providentially appointed
means of grace, and also as time of rest from the
occupations of the world, which is demanded alike
81 oy s ses constitution OF nature and by the word
Resotoed, That we urge our pastors and churches
to unite in immediate and vigorous measures for
stimulating sounder public sentiment concerning
the sanctiy of the day and general observance of
Professor Sswall proposed resolution in
regard to sailors, which was adopted. Follow
ing is the text:
Resolved, In view of the large number of seamen
belonging to families in our congregations, and the
many seaports lining the coast Of Name which are
visited every year by thousands of sailors native
and foreign, who need our care and labor.
ResoLved, That gratefully recognize all that is
being done for the spiritual interests of the sailor
by the Portland Bethel, by the Y. M. C. A., and by
churches and individuals at our larger ports; and
we afectionately urge Christian people in all eur
ports to engage in some form Of action and organ
lied Christian work which shall meet the spiritual
needs of this large class of fellow men, depriv-
ed as they are to so great degree of all Christian
and social privileges.
Addresses followed on "How shall we mako
the terms OF our pastorates longer" by Rev. P.
B. Thayer and Rev. +. V. Norcross: on Chow
can pastors promote church work among men,
bers," by Profs. Sewall and Paine; and on SIN
FAINT Baptism" by Rev. II. @. Westwood,
Rev. III. S. Huntington, for the committee
on divorce reported:
RessEred, That we recognize with thankfulness
the advance in divorce reform which the last year
has witnessed; and that we implore Christian peo-
nla relax effort for the cOmDlata
the evil.
That we entreat our ministers not to solemnize
the rite of marriage between parties, either of
whom has been divorced contrary to the laws of
Christ.
That we recommend to aur ministers to preach
plainly to young people upon the sacred duties in
voved in marriage, and the evils which must result
from marriages which are hasty and ill-assorted;
and we appeal to parents to sacredly guard and
guide their children according to the gospel stand
ard of refinement, purity and holiness.
The resolutions were adopted.
Rev. DIR. Buckley of Charleston. s. c.,
spoke of the needs of Howard University, of
the South and especially of the Freedmen.
The conference was then addressed by Rev.
A. s. Ladd, delegate from the Methodist
church, and Rev. M. Lord from the Baptist
church.
Rev. E. A. Harlow introduced the following
resolutions ON temperance.
Resolved That we recognize with thankfulness
the suppression OF the liquor traffic in State,
and the prevalence of habits of abstinence from in
toxicating drinks among our people.
Resolved, That in judgment our very excel
lent law ought to be enforced especially in oil
our cities and places of summer resort and we
would urge our people to do what they to tone
up public sentiment and to influence and assist the
officer of the law in the enforcement of these laws
Resolved, That the interests of the cause of tenn
perance in the state of Maine at the present time
require the adoption of the pending amendment to
the Constitution, and we would earnestly recon-
mend to all citizens that they favor the same both
by vote and personal influence.
The resolutions were adopted not only by the
conference, but by the whole assembly.
After this Hon. Neal Dow delivered a stir
ring temperance address, and was followed by
DIR. Chickering on the same subject.
At the afternoon session reports of the boards
Of Foreign Mission, American Missionary So
ciety, of the Key West Educational Society,
and of the American Home Missionary Socie-
ty were presented. These reports gave an &C
count Of the work being done and indicated
the value of their labors.
Hon. j. l.. Chamberlain was unanimously
chosen moderator for next years conference.
Rev. e. #. Duren was elected secretary.
The convention has been fully attended and
the most successful for several years.
Adjourned.
Capital and labor.
The following extract from the address Of
Rev DR.. Barrows of San Francisco at the
great con vention OF the American Home Mis-