The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-10-03
MAINE BAPTISTS AT LEWISTON.
Proceedings of the First Day of the
Anniversaries.
Officers Elected by the Maine Mis-
sionary Convention.
What the Officers and Committees
Say In Their Reports.
Especial to the Press. /

q a..
M, the president, Hon. M. Giddings. of Ban
gor, in the chair. After singing, the scrip
lures were read by Rev. A. Greene, of War
rem, and prayer was offered by Rev. K. C.
Whittemore of Auburn. Rev. G. C. Tilley,
pastor of the Bates street church, then with
words OF hearty welcome greeted the dele
gates from the Baptist churches of Maine.
To this President Giddings fittingly respond
ed, and then, addressing the convention, he
surveyed the work of the convention, the
obstacles to be overcome, and the brighten
ing prospects as our workers go forth on ev-
cry hand bearing the precious seeds of di-
vine truth. Let us seek providences and fol-
low them.
The President announced the following
committees:
On Credentials Rev. w. H. Lane. Yarmouth
VILE; v. II. Foss, Portland and A. p Winslow,
Lewiston.
On Nominations-Rev. G. p. Matthews d. d..
Brunswick; Rev. l. b. Mower. Kennebunkport; /;
Rev. G. w. f. Hill, Lisbon Falls; Rev N. ID. Cur,
It's, Fairfield Rev. l.. ID. Austin.
On Foreign Missons-Rev. w. s. Roberts. ID.
D, Roekland; Rev. T. e. Bushfeld, Bangor; Rev.
S. G. Fletcher
Rev. I. nj. Butler, j. w, Phlbrlck of Waterville.
On Reform-Rev. l. S. Hamblen, North Ber-
wick; Rev. J. b. Wilson, Freeport; DR.. J. W.
Beede, Auburn.
On Publication-Rev. J. H. Parshley, Damar-
lscotta; Rev. W. ii. Clarke, Deacon III. r. Smith,
On Sunday Schools-Rey. A. t. Dunn. Portland /;
Rev. H. Tilden, Pennington; E. H. Gerrish
Lewiston.
On Place and Preacher-Rey. W. A. Newcomb''
Thomaston; Rev G. Mayo, Paris; S. A. True.
On State of Religion Ito report next yearl-Rey
A. j. Paddleford, Calais.
On Obituaries Ito report next year)-Rev. G. 5.
Ilsley, Bangor
Rev. c. c. Tilley presented the report of
the committee on obituaries. During the
year. 35S Of TIE members of Baptist churches
in Maine have died, less than the average in
the past ten years. Mention was made of
some of the lay members. The following
ministers have died: Rev. w. E. Morse Dec.
"a, 1887; Rev. H; A. Hart Jan. 18th. 1888;
Rev. Charles, Miller, Nov. 21st, 1887; Rev. w.
Ward, April 8, 1887; Rev. Edmund Nugent,
April 18th, 1888; Rev. VIM. Miller, Aug. 18th,
1888. The Oldest of these ministers was Rev.
Charles Miller, who died when SO years old,
the youngest, Rev. ii. A. Hart, who died at
the age OF 81. The average age was rs years.
The report closed with an appropriate refer
ence to Dea. j. G. White, of Bangor; to
seven ministers, formerly pastors in the
State, who, during the year have died in
other States, and to Mrs. Clark, formerly a
mi BsT Woa,b g Africa Prayer was offered
Rev. G. 7. Mathews, d. D., Rev. ii. S. Bur
rage, ID. D., Rev. T. +. White and President
Giddings.
Rev. N. L. Dutton, of Houlton, presented
the report Of the committee on the state of
religion in the churches. The work in the
churches in the thirteen associations was re-
neWed. The year has been one of progress
In all departments of Christian work The
additions to the churches were S56 the los
ses 0S5, net loss of 49,
De- n
sented the report of the committee on publi-
cation. Rev. Z. IL. Rhodes of Boston, COM
mended the work of the American Baptist
Publication Society, especially in Bible and
Sunday school work.
Rev. Mr.. Howe, pastor of the Congrega-
tlonal church, presented the fraternal greet
lngs OF the Congregational churches of
Maine. Rev. A. S. Ladd presented the fra
ternal greetings of the Maine Conference.
Professor j. b. Foster, treasurer of the
Convention, presented his report. The re-
ceipts for the year from rents, interest, divi-
dends, contributions. etc., were $l1, 1850.
Ihe expenditures in aid of missions were
S5s60.O3; secretaries and missionaries, $685.
20; special grants for church building S29l.-
902.44.
The morning session was closed with
prayer by Rev. j. E. Cochrane of Burma.
Afternoon Session.
The convention re-assembled at o'clock.
Prayer was offered by Rev. E. Leger of Wa
terville. Rev. j. Kicker, d. D., correspond
ing secretary of the convention, presented
the annual report of the board of trustees.
The operations of the board during the year
have been unparalleled. New fields and i'm
portant centres haYe been occupied. Old
fields have not been neglected. Our corps of
laborers has been trebled. Progress has
been made in the erection of new houses of
worship and OF parsonoges. Seven mission
aries, four of whom are lay workers, have
been employed, and with gratifying success.
An unusually large number of students, 25
in all, have devoted considerable attention to
missionary work. The spirit of our people
was never better. Our educational institu-
tlons are thriving beyond the expectations
of the fathers. We have reached new
stage in our work A goodly land lies before
us, lfsOnly we go up to possess it.
A discussion OF the report followed. Rev.
Sewall Brown OF Oldtown urged the use of
lay missionaries in the more destitute fields,
and referred to the work of such missionaries
in the Upper Penobscot region during the
past year. Rev. G. E. Tufts of Belfast S poke
concerning new work an old fields, with es-
peclal reference to what has been done in
Waldo county. Gratifying results have fol-
lowed labor on those old fields. Rev. A. I.
Dunn of Portland spoke of the claims of out
lying districts upon settled pastors. Rev. K.
Leger of Waterville spoke of work in behalf
Of the French people of the State of Maine
Rev; g. P. Mathews, d. D., of Brunswick,
emphoszed Pm la & the necessity of giving attention
In this work. Rev. j. L. Sanborn of Water
borO, Rev. G. Mayo Of Paris, Rev. l.. Strip
OF Rockland, Rev: ID. b. Gum, State Mission
ary, Rev. Dr.. Kicker, Rev. w. e. Noyes,
State Missionary, and Rev. E. c. Whittemore
of nd oil rfi iait tol -.
sion, Which was one OF very great interest
throughout.
The annual sermon was then preached.
The devotional exercises were conducted by
Rev. w. A. Newcombe of Thomaston, and
Rev. Z. 3. llsley OF Bangor. The preacher,
Rev. q. b. Titus of Saco, selected as his text
Thess.. 8: 2l, %. ''Prove all things" etc.
The importance of needing this apostolic in
Junction was finely presented. Having
proved all things we are to cling to that
which is right. Finally let us abstain from
all evil.
Rev. DR.. Matthews of Brunswick, present
ed the report of the committee on nomina-
tions, and the following officers were elect
ed:
President.Hon. Moses Giddings of Bangor
Vice President-Rev DIR. G. d. b. Pepper
Corresponding Secretary-Rey. j. Kicker. d. d.
Recording Secretary-Rev. II. S. Burrage d. d.
Treasurer-Prof. j. B. Foster.
Auditor-J. w. Philbrick.
large board of trustees was elected.
Dr. Kicker informed the convention that
this was his twentieth election as cor.
responding secretary, and that it is his pur-
pose to withdraw from the secretaryship at
the close of the present convention year.
Adjourned after the benediction by Rev
L. S. Tripp of Rockland.
Evening Session.
The Maine Baptist Charitable Society held
its annual meeting at 7.3o, and at o'clocl
Rev. O. P. Clifford, pastor of the Warner
Avenue Baptist Church, Boston, delivered
an able and eloquent address before crowd
ed audience.