The Portland daily press., 1888-06-14
Congregational Conferences.


Congregational Conference.
One Of the finest days in June brought out
one OF the largest companies at West Fall
mouth yesterday. II being the 6Sth annual
conference Of Congregational churches.
The Rev. 4. M. Cousins was elected mod
orator and Rev. II. G. Mcknight the scribe.
Excellent discussions were had upon the
topics Of christian giving; The steward
ship Of property" Conditions OF church
membership" and Gods love" The leads
ing addresses were made by Rev. Messrs'
Hallock. Bayley, Perkins. Snow, Wilson
and Cousins.
The sermon was preached by Rev. Geo.
W. Reynolds. Of Gorham, from the text in
John 6:6S, Lord, to whom shall we go?
Thou hast the words of eternal life," and
was an earnest exposition OF the power Of
Christ over every department of life. The
sacrament of the Lords supper was admin
istered by Rev. Messrs. Wheelwright and
Wilson. An overture was sent up to the
State conference to meet in Rockland next
week in regard to the changing Of the date
of the meeting Of the general conference.
The conference adopted unanimously a
resolution endorsing the work Of the Maine
Bible Society and pledging its assistance
The statistical report of theI registrar COW
cred but eight months, by reason of change
in all the Congregational churches in the
time Of gathering annual statistics. The ag-
gregate membership Of the churches remains
about the same as at the previous report,
3,641. There are 1852 scholars In the Sab
hath Schonla with an a avara0a attaraoroo -
2,405. From the Sabbath Schools SO have
Joined the church in these eight months.
Also 81 children have been baptized. The
total benevole noes amount to S20,166 for the
year, a gain of 1886 over the previous year.
OF this gain $500 was to the American Beard.
One new church has been dedicated, two
new pastors installed, Rev. Geo. w. Rey-
nolds at Gorham and Rev. Z. P. Wilson at
Woodfords.
The next meeting is TO be held at the Free
Church in Deering, with Rev. Z. p. Wilson
as preacher. The Rev. s. K. Perkins was
elected registrar, and Rev. A. II. Wright
conference secretary of the Congregational
Union. Great credit is due the pastor, Rev.
W. FL. Haskell, and the people Of Falmouth
for their admirable hospitality. The meals
were served In large tent; this with the
beautiful air Of June gave added pleasure to
those who received entertainment.
The Union Conference.
Especial to the Press.l
BRTDeToN, June 13.-The fifty-second an
nual meeting of the Union Conference of
Congregational churches was held with the
First Congregational church here yesterday
and today. This was the programme:
TUESDAY.
10 a. m.-Deyotional exercises.
o.3o.orgasization, reading Of records and
report OF churches, Mai. L. A. Poor.
1l.3O-Causes for ENCOURAGEMENT and Thank
fulness in Report. Rev. H. v. Emmons
2.oofsermon, Rev w ". F. s Lisinsston. s alternate
Rev: I. M. Beadenkoff and actlsn thereon.
and aiPIscnsslon Pson,s m Topics; The duty Of Pastor
ner, Z. p Woodbury..
7.00-Praise meeting.
,7.39-Address. The Work Of the W. G. T. u,
Mrs. L. L. ". Stevens
WEDNESDAY.
$50 a. m.-S0cial meeting.
us,S 9;,0o.Annuai Meeting Of Union Conference
9.15-Discusson. Topic: The duty Of the
Church to the public school. Dea. George W.
9,so-Mlssionary Meeting Of W.B.M.
9.45-Dlscussion. Topic: How can we awaken
greater interest and love for Union Conferences
III tuc tuuIcneS. hcN. III. "A. freeman.
1O.3O-Discusslon. Topic: How shall we inter-
est the young In Sunday Scoool and Prayer Meet
ing. Rev VIM. sandbrook,
l1.lo-Discussion. Topic: What position
should our churches take Id reference TO amuse-
ments. Rev, e. +. Eastman.
Lao p. m.-Reports and business.
2. l5-Sermon. Rev. II. " Emmons, alternate
Rev. L. NJ. Beaednkoff.
Communion Service.
Mrs. Steyens's temperance address was
delivered to large and appreciatiye audi
ence. 1t is one of the most hopeful signs Of
the day In regard to the temperance reform
that the church is giving 1t the recognition it
deserves.
kennebec CongregationaIists.
GARDINER, June 13-There was a large
attendance at the Kennebec Conference Of
Congregational churches at Gardiner today.
The following appointments were made:
Delegates to State conference-Rev. Z. Chase
Hallowell; Rev. ID. French VassalbOr0; Deacon
y: x. Townsend, Augusta; Mr.. ]. Bradbury, Vas
Visitor tot Theological seminary-Rev. t.
Preacher of the Conference sermon-Rev. Mr..
Adams, OF SO. Gardiner.
Devotional exercises were led by S. G..
Nutting, of Litehfeld. George H. Wood
ward and A. G. Axtell discussed "The place
Of young people in our churches" Deacon
]. r. Townsend and j. B. Matthews, 'Per-
sonal usefulness In the church." The con-
ference sermon was delivered by Rev. d.
French, Of Yassalboro, after which the
meeting adjourned. The next meeting win
be held at Winthrop.
The Conference at Wells.
BIDDEFoRD, June 13.-The annual York
County Congregational Conference, at Wells,
closed today. At the business session this
morning. the following officers were elected
for the ensuing year:
Moderator-Rev. ID. b. Sewell. York.
Scribe-Rev. j. s. Richards, Limerick
Delegates to the State eonference-Deaeon
Samuel L. Boynton. j. X. Libby, Biddeford; sam
uel NJ. Came, Alfred.
The afternoon sermon was preached by
Rev. G. A. Lockwood, of Kennebunk. The
next session win be held at Cornish.