The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-10-07
MAINE BAPTIsTs.
Opening of Their Sixty-First Annual
Convention.
Interesting Missionary Talks by Per-
sons Engaged In the Work.

sons Engaged In the Work.
| The sixty-frst annual convention of the Maine
| Baptist Saeieties commenced its sessions in the
Free street Baptist church yesterday afternoon
with an unusually large attendance
| The church has been handsomely and appr0pri-
ately decorated for the occasion. The supports to
| the gallery are wreathed with evergreen and va
ses containing choice cut flowers grace the pulpit
and organ The large panel at the left of the pull
| pit bears in evergreen the words '61st Anniver-
sary."
Judge Bonney is chairman of the entertainment
| committee and accommodations win be provided
| by them Members of the committee are in atten-
| dance at the meetings.
AFTERNOON MEETING.
The meeting was called to order by the presi-
| dent, George F. Emery, Esq. Prayer was offered
| by Rev. Dr. Mathews. after which George F. En-
| cry. Esq., as president of the convention, and in
behalf of the Free street church made brief OPP
| ening address of welcome to the representatives
| of 10000 Maine Baptists now assembled, congrat-
ulating them in view of past mercies and success
| present harmony and prosperity, and the fatter-
ing outlook for the future based on the broad and
liberal foundations laid by the fathers, greatly en-
larged by the efforts and muifcenee of their sue
| education in which particular they occupy posi-
ton second to no other denomination in this if any
| other State.
| Regret was expressed that Free street has no
| pastor to extend the hand of welcome. With gem
erous hospitality brethren of the First church have
| opened wide their doors, but it would be found
that the committee in charge had provided for the
| accommodation of all guests, and although nee
essarily some had been assigned to hotels, hope
was expressed that such would feel entirely at
home, and have cause like Paul of old when met
by the brethren at the "ThreeTaverns, TO "thank
God and take courage"
He anticipated pleasant and profitable ocea-
sion, but results, under Providence, would depend
largely upon the spirit of freedom felt and exhi-
bted by all In convocation where all were peers
and equals.
He closed by inviting all to join in the song of
welcome kindred of Christ &c.
The committee ON arrangements through the
Rev. Dr. Small. reported the programme for the
day.
Mr.. Emery then called upon DR.. Small for a few
words of welcome He said that DR.. Small, in the
absence of regular pastor was looked upon in
that light by the Free street church. DR.. Small
then said that 1t must seem as a sort of intru-
sion in him to deliver such an address but he had
for many kndnesses. 1t is true that this church,
in the absence of pastor had felt some hesitation
In extending an invitation to the convention to
meet here. But recognizing the fact that it was
important to offer some place of meeting it had
set aside this feeling. In the forty-nine years of
its existence, many of the officers of this church
have stood high in position and the estimation of
their brethren. DR.. Small then alluded to the re-
cent celebration of the Tooth anniversary Of the
mother church and spoke Of the necessity of at
tending strictly to the business OF the convention
that being the main object OF the meeting.
The report of the committee of arrangements
was then accepted and upon motion, the chair,
in accordance with the programme appointed the
following committees:
COMMITTEES APPOINTED.
Arrangements for this convention, selected last
year-Rev. w. C. BarrOws. Rev. DR.. A. h. T.
Small Rev E. s. Fish, Rev. T: +. White.
Credentials-Rey. f. G. Davis, Springvale;
Deacon J. c; White, Bangor; Rev. Z. Pepper
Temperance S. Brown, East Corinth;
Francis Barnes, Houlton; j.. NJ Toilette, Buck
Nomination~ReY. q. v. Hanson, Damariscotta;
Prof Lyford Waterville; Rev. G. A. Cleveland,
Nj Missionary sst 'Union-Rev j; NJ Burtt, Buxton;
Moses Giddings, Bangor; Prof J. f. Eyeleth,
Blue Hill; H NJ Hart, Portland rs
Home Missions-Rev. w. A. NewcOmbe, Thom-
aston; VIM. Wilson, Hallowell; W. II. Lane, Dex-
ter.
fast; Rev. c. C. Tilley Dover and Foxcroft; Rev.
c. q. Harwood, Skowhegan:
Publication-Rev. E. A. Herring, Ellsworth; Z.
Worth, Kennebunk; Prof. j. B. Foster, Water
yille
State of Religion to report at next convention)
Rev. w. III. Spencer, Wateryille
Obituaries TO report at next conyenton)-ReV
G. NJ. Emery, Freeport
The announcement of the committee of arrange
ments for the next convention has not been made
as yet.
The report of the Board was then read by DR..
Kicker of Augusta. The following is an alb
stract:
Appropriations to the amount of s6,So3 20 have
been expended for current expenses and among
the churches during the past year.
features as heretofore. Destitute missions have
been looked after and supplied with pastoral over
sight as follows: Alfred and West Alfred, E;Sny-
L. G. Goodwin; Canton and Peru. w. H. s. Ven
tres; First Hancock, A. A. Cambridge; Jay, +. s.
Hobbs; East Machias and Cutler G. F. jenkins;
East Madison, E. Nugent; Monmouth, Z: Den
nett Monson; J. Z; Locke; 0ldtown, Herbert m m
St. iass, George, e. G. W. r. Hill; washburne A. W
Young; Weld and Carthage, w. E. Morse
Belfast is blessed with a band OF busy workers
whose efforts have been rewarded with much good
Caribou for years has given pleasant tokens of
hope and frlitfulness The church has struggled
$3.50 when that sum ablone remains upaid.
Fairfield has passed through a change OF pas
port church his place being satisfactorily filled by
Farmington has received one member by bap-
The church in Washburne expect to soon dedi-
cate their new house of worship.
Good news comes of the growth OF the new
Other benefciary churches show good results
The missionary work has been gratifying in its
results
Legacies during the year have been received
from Hezekiah Dodge Of Portland in the sum OF
and the crowning event of the year in this depart
ment. the munifcent gift OF ex.Goy. Abner
Coburn, whose donation OF 100000 VIII yield an
ing the cause of religion in the State, the nation
and the world. 1t was evidently Gov. Coburn's
life would Be continued yearly after his DEATH
The bequest after two and one-half years will
yield an annual income of at least $4,000 But
son son for diminished efforts by the Baptists Of
Maine 1t should, on the other hand, serve as an
incentive for renewed effort
In Conclusion the report touched upon the right
use of money intrusted to the convention for mis-
sonary purposes. Such money is placed upon the
altar for sacred purpose and should not be
coveted by churches or individuals who may be
enabled by sacrifice to do without it. This matter
was touched upon in the way Of caution, and the
report ended with recommendation that this sub
ject receive serious consideration as there are at
present SO many different interests oefaFe , the
dom and discrimination.
The report was then accepted by the Board for
discussion and Rev. DR.. Bosworth, Secretary of
the Massachusetts, Baptist Convention, was called
upon. He said that 1t was a pleasure to him to
stand before the Maine Convention once more,
where he used to stand in various capacities many
years ago. The growth Of the Baptist Society In
Maine has been very gratifying DIR. Bosworth
made feeling allusion to the late Abner Coburn,
"a silent man, but whose utterances were golden
when they came and were received with marked
attention. Should the legacy be lost to the Baptist
people, as has become possible, in the opinion of
tffe speaker lessons of goodness were to be drawn
from that occurrence. A recourse to prayer in
this instance was recommended that this conse-
scrated wealth be not lost to the purposes for
which it was intended. In Massachusetts a simi-
lar attempt was made some years ago to avert
munifcent bequest but the effort was provi-
dentially averted and the property was recently
sold for $500, 700, so that the convention will now
receive an annual income of S12,ooo which has
been quietly devoted to new works, the undimin-
ished offerings of the people supplying the other
needs of the convention. New churches have
been established by this means, and in Brockton
and other cities wonderful results have been
achieved.