The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-10-07
THE BAPTlSTS.
Proceedings of the State Convention
at RockIand.

Especial Correspondence of the PREss.)
RoCKLAND, Oct. 6.
The anniversaries of the Baptist churches
of Maine have been held here during the
present week commencing on Tuesday.
Brighter days could not have been chosen,
and more cordial welcome than the dele
gates received from the Baptist church in
Rockland could not have been desired. The
meetings were held in the beautiful edifce of
this church, and its capacious auditorium
was thronged during the sessions.
Tuesday forenoon Hon. G. F. Emery of
Portland, president of the convention, occu-
pied the chair, and in an address Of deep in
terest urged greater activity in State mission
work. The more effort put forth in Maine'
he said, the more life will be impaired to all
our efforts to bless the world He was fol-
lowed by the pastor of the church, Rev. W.
FL. Roberts, who In hearty and tender ad-
dress cordially welcomed the delegates to
the hospitality of the Baptists of Rockland.
After the appointment of the usual COM
mittees, Rev. W. FL. Spencer of Waterville,
read the report of the committee on the state
of religion in the churches The work of
the churches in the different associations in
Maine was reviewed. The number of
baptisms reported was 749, large increase
over several preceding years. There has
also been large increase in benevolent con-
tributions. In word the report showed
that the year had been one of more than
usual prosperity; and at the close of the re-
port the audience joined in singing, praise
God from whom all blessings fow," The
reading of the report was followed by re-
marks from Rev, William Hurlin, secretary
Of the New Hampshire Baptist convention,
and others.
Rev. T. f. White of Bath, then presented
the report of the committee on nominations,
and the following officers were elected:
President-Hon. Moses Giddngs of Bangor.
Vice President-G. D. b. Pepper, d. d. of Wat
Corresponding secretary-J. Kicker, D. D. Of
Recording secretary-H. S. Burrage, D. of
Treasurer-J. B. Foster, LII. D. of waterville.
Auditor-J. w. Philbrick of Waterville.
Also large board OF trustees.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
The convention reassemblej at 2-.o'clock.
Hon. G. f. Emery presented the newly elect
ed President, Rev. Moses Giddings. Prayer
was offered by Rev. A. K. P. Small, D. d., of
Portland. DR.. Kicker then read the annual
report of the Trustees OF the Convention.
He first referred to the additions to the mis-
sion churches during the year, and then to
the work of church and parsonage building
i'm these churches. The report showed that
the work of the general missionaries and the
State Evangelist had been greatly prospered.
There has been an addition of several thou
sand dollars to the permanent fund. In con-
cIusion the report called attention to the fact
that an aggressive policy had been pursued
during the year and that large results had
been realized. There have been more labor
ers in the field, more churches have been aid
ed, more money has been raised, and larger
harvests gathered. This aggressive work
should be continued
Rev. G. B. Ilsley, by request of the presi-
dent, offered prayer of thanksgiving lor
the blessings of the year.
The reading of the report was followed
with remarks by Rev. e. V. Hanson of Dam
ariscotta, Rev. A. Chapman of Monson, Rev.
S. G. Sargent of Augusta, Dea. +. G. White
of Bangor Rev. w. FL. Spencer of Waterville,
Rev. W. E: Noyes, State Missionary, Rev. Y.
W. Hlnckley,. State Evangelist, Rev. G. 9.
Tilley of Lewiston, Rev. A. r. Grove, ID. D.,
of East Winthrop, and Rev. N. G. French,
State Missionary.
Rev. c. E. Harding of Hebron then read a
paper on "What shall we do for the unoccu-
pied fields. around us?" He urged the en-
ployment in vacation time of students who
are preparing for the ministry, as one way in
which these. unoccupied fields could be
reached effectively and economically. The
student needs this period of work at the be-
ginning of his course. By it his heart will
be more interested in these needy fields. and
we know from experience that the result is
blessed one.
DR.. Small called attention to portrait OF
Reu. Isaac Case, pioneer Baptist minister,
which had been painted during the past year
in accordance with vote passed year ago,