The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-10-07
PORTLAND, THURSDAY MORNING, oCToBEI

and which hung upon the wall back of the
pulpit during the meetings of the convention
The report OF the treasurer was presented.
The receipts of the convention from the Or
dinary contributions of the churches were
$3,929.22; from other sources, S. Al: total
S9,072.63. The expenditures were SS.636. VI
A part of the receipts from other sources
were bequests for the permanent fund, which
now amounts 10 VI, ,402.O6 The permanent
fund last year was 18,976.67. Besides this
the convention has real estate valued at
$4,000, from which yearly rental of $1,000
is received
TUESDAY EVENING.
From seven to half-past seven O'Clock
there was devotional service, led by Rev.
John Graham Of Waldoboro. Rev. w. G.
Barrows of Lewiston then presented the re-
port of the committee on Home Missions, in
which the claims of this great work among
the unevangelized OF our own land were urg-
ed upon all the churches. Rev. A P. Mason,
d. D., of Boston,. followed with an address
in which the work Of the Home Mission So
ciety in the great Northwest, among the
colored people in the South, and also among
the Indians (the BaptiStS have 6O0O members
among the Indian tribes were forcibly pre-
sented A collection for Home Missions fol-
lowed.
Rev. C. E. Owen of Oakland then preached
the annual convention sermon. He was as
sisted in the Introductory service by Rev. l.
B. Mower of Kennebunkport. The text of
the discourse was John 1878. The great
truth here taught. he said, is that Christ is
the true fountain for satisfying the spiritual
longings of men, and that it is faith that ap-
propriates the blessing. 'sHe that believeth
in me" says the Saviour. Faith is the SUI
preme venture required of each disciple All
Christian life has its spring in Christ. To
change the figure the branch must abide in
the vine. The early disciples of the Lord ac
cepted this teaching of their master, and so
believing heart, will, intellect-they receiv
ed that which gave such power to their lives.
Faith is still the channel for the flow of the
abundant outflow. There is thelsound of ag
gressiveness in Christian work Let faith
die and the wells of salvation become dry.
We have an illustration of the truth of the
text in this convention work, because of the
springing up of the hope of life in Christian
hearts. The sermon closed with plea for
greater faith, that greater blessings may
flow to mankind.
Not only was the large audience room of
the church crowded during the service, but
the building lbeing such that the two rooms
can be made one. The day closed with
prayer and the benedictiOn by the preacher
of the evening.
WEDNESDAY FORENOON.
The Women's Foreign Missionary Society
held meeting from 8 to 10 O'Clock, Miss
Russell of East Deering presiding Interest
ing addresses were made by Miss Russell
and Miss Sarah B. Barrows, who is about to
return to her work in Burmah. Miss A. B.
Holbrook of Hallowell read poem.
The convention reassembled at 10 o'clock.
Prayer was offered by Rev. E, Worth.
Rev. G. M. Emery of Freeport presented
the report of the committee on obituaries.
Mention was made of Rev. T. Bachelor,
Rev. Henry A: Sawtelle, ID. D., Rev; q. S.
Fish, Rev. A.: Hopper, Rev. Gilbert Robbins,
Rev. W. T. Sargent, J., M. Peaslee, Rev.
c. P. st. Clair; also of several ministers
formerly settled in Maine, viz: Rev. A. v.
Tilton, Rev. L. G. Stevens and Rev. S. Ilsley.
Prayer was offered by Rev. w, A. New
combe.
presented the claims of the American Bap-
tist Publication Society.
Rev. A. t. Dunn of Portland read a paper
on "The Relation of Christian Doctrine to
Church Polity." Two points were dis
tament in reference to church membership;
and second, as to the duties of church
officers, viz, pastors and deacons. These
teachings were clearly indicated, and many
practical thoughts were suggested; The
Bangor, Rev. Q. Richardson of North Liver
more, Rev. c.. G. Tilley, Rev. G. P Mathews,
D. d., Rev. L. s. Trlpp, Rev. G. S. Smith,
Rey.W. A. Newcombe, Fl. M. Hart, and Rev.
f. W. Bakeman, d. d.
Rev. Fl. j. White of Augusta presented
and the morning session closed after prayer
by President Pepper of Colby University.
AFTERNOON.
In the afternoon the anniversary of the
Maine Baptist Educational Society was held.
Hon. P. Bonney of Portland presided. The
report Of the trustees was presented by Rev.
E. E. Small of LiYermore Falls. A dis
cussion followed.
Rev. S. E. Busfield of Bangor then pre-
sented paper on More Minister'S"
Reports Of the committees appointed to
visit the Baptist institutions of learning in
Maine were read.
AT the annual election of officers Hon. P.
Bonney was reelected president.
EVENING.
AT the evening session Principal w. E.
Sargent of Hebron Academy read paper
entitled "What the Academies Expect from
the Churches"
President Pepper then preached the an
nual sermon before the Educational Society.