Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-10-28
CONGREGATIONAL cHUrcHEs-
semi-Annual Meeting OF the Ken~.h,
ana Somerset COmferenees.

chapei, this city, at 1870 A. NJ, YESTERDAY
Inc attendance was very fair, every church
ou' one or two being represented. Quite a
NUMBER OF people were also present from
this city.
Rev. K. Jenkins of Gardiner was chosen
scribe. i''e"n'ono'
Inc meeting opened with q praise and
prayer servive, Rev. j. T. HAYES of Itch
neld offering prayer.
roll-call of delegates present followed
reports from the churches we're received.
hev. A. +. Skeele and Mr.. J. r. Townsend
spoke for the Augusta church. Since the
conference last June twentv-four new men,
oe,s nave united with the church, the re-
SUIT OF meetings previously held. Two mis-
sion Sabbath schools have been maintained
,ri combined about ninety members
These have brought about an additional At
tendance at the meetings and several have
professed conversion. Rev. Mr.. Skeele said
one OF the most encouraging things TO me ia
the increased interest and attendance on our
prayer meetings; and the Young people are
interested, many of them; also the ladies'
we have very fiourishiag young peoples
meeting held every Sunday evening before the
regular service. 1t is led by young people.
Mr.. Skeele presented a topic card TO the
meeting and read from it.
NOT much change was reported from Gar
diner. One difficulty in that CITY is that the
church does not own a parsonage, and il ia
very difhcult to keep pastor on this account.
The present pastor has moved three times.
ana expects TO move again within six months
Rev. MI. Jenkins thought that there would be
no parsonage ''as long we rejoice that we
are IN debt" One very pleasing feature is
the ladies' meeting. The Sabbath school j.
prospering, there being an average attendance
OF over 100 One of the Gardiner delegates
OBJECTED to summer vacations.
Rev. Mr. Chase spoke for Hallowell: We
dedicate our church Tomorrow afternoon af-
ter waiting several years The spiritual
condition of the church is good
One new member has joined the church;
have reason 10 rejoice that we have an ele-
CANT house of worship. We sustain neigh
borhooi prayer meeting. not church meet
ing. 1t goes all over the CITY from house to
house. has been held over a year and half
and proved very profitable. In temporal
things we have reason to be satisfied. We
are in no greater debt than one year ago. and
great deal of money has heen spent, while
the church is entirely completed We pro-
pose In the future to go forward in the old
way, and meet for the first time. in the new
church, next Sabbath. | do not think, how
ever, that we shall gain any greater blessing
than in the building where we have met these
past seven years.
Rev. J. T. HAYES spoke for Litcbfeld and
| said Our members are few and our congre-
cations small, not numbering over 65 on the
average Our PRAYER meetings are not large.
What is particularly gratifying to me is the
iourishing condition of our Sabbath school
There is much interest in the school and a
large attendance. Preaching does not seem
to influence many to join the church. Mr..
Halves thought the drowning Of young man
at picnic in his town had brought
about much seriousness in his community
| think we have many young people who
should come into the church
Although the church at Monmouth is a
| feeble one it seems to be vigorous. There
have been ten additions to the congregation
during the year and the Sabbath school is
doing well
The littr church -, V ,ssalboro is progress
ing 1t now number. torty-seven members,
four new ones having been added The Sab
bath school numbers forty-tve, with three
| bible classes. For a month past there has,
perhaps been a little losing in spiritual
strength.
The church at Skowhegan numbers 200
members. The pastor is faithful, sincere
and earnest in his labors. The church is
well filed on the Sabbath, and the evening
prayer meetings are well attended. The
I Sabbath school is in good condition and last
Sunday 1876 reported at the school. We have
a lack of young men in attendance.
Rev. f. N. Smith of Waterville said f:
There is not the spiritual condition in our
church there ought to be. The young peo-
pies meeting is in very tiourishing condi
ton What is remarkable, that out of %
Freshmen at Colby, have chosen to attend
the Congregational church. l am looking
forward to profitable winters work.
In Richmond the church is in good condi-
ton considering its size. Ii is nearly out of
debt. and has very good building. The peo-
pie there have been very generous in supply
ing the wants of the church The fact that
the Universalists had established mission In
Richmond, and drawn away several who had
been in the habit of attending the church, was
referred to.
AFTERNOON.
Tho of,ornoor meet;no onened with a
h.;af 1870 - r,.;.o snd rraver Isd bv
D. d w IarL;ns of Gardiner
p.rN Sm;,h of wotory;,le conducted
.ro;.a Co. ,ha strdv of tho Surdov
OH IS, s NnsLa, ~, sra 10
So e., Tn,;o EI;sha.. lsst s;ctnss.
~ AZ Tha ,omrnor,. aho,t El;sh.,s