The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-06-20

L MATTER. 4 hlOC tCN
had been missionary of the Maine Mission
ary Society for over forty years. He said
that these little mission churches were con-
stantly sending out their best and noblest
men to other churches in distant places, so
that though these home churches may some
times die, yet, being dead, they really live In
the person of the multitude Of able members
that they have sent all through the land. So,
while these mission churches will continue
TO send their contributions of membership to
the large churches, may the large churches
not forget their contributions for the little
churches
Rev. Mr.. Elder Of Pennington was called
up. He said that though having come into
the State, yet he had seen the importance Of
cherishing the little mission churches, for
they are the real nurseries OF most OF the
larger central churches. We are to remcm-
Der what was said in the morning meeting
about the two aspects of our Lords charac-
ter. As our Savior, he says to his Disciples,
"COme!' As our Lord and Master, be says
to US, "G0F We must remember these two
views Of His character and our own duty.
Mr.. Q. A. Woodbury. spoke OF his hope
that in the appeal for funds for the distant
fields of the West and Northwest, the con-
tributOrs would also remember the self-sac-
riticing lab0rers at work in the remote parts
Of our own State.
Rev. A. DOnnell OF Eastport, spoke OF
what he saw In the distant Northwest, and
he had come to the conclusion that the best
home mission work done in the country Is
In the hill country Of Massachusetts, and the
northern counties Of Maine. Let us look
out for these home fields
Rev. A. J. Racklltf OF Skowhegan spoke
OF the. depriyations Of the country ministers
anu OF the Importance OF putting able, work
Ing men into the destitute fields and keepin0
them there till the results Of their work
should appear, for In this way alone can we
secure the best fruit.
Dea. Abbott Of Bangor said that il the
society was not ready to act efficiently In
this direction, we should step out Of the way
and let others do the work; but we can do
il, and we shonld awake to our duty and OBJ
legation and move on with new courage and
energy.
A contribution in behalf of the society was
taken, after which the hymn was sung.
Jesus shall reign where're the SUM- and the
business session commenced.
The following committee was appointed TO
nominate five trustees and board OF Off
GERS: Rev. Amasa Loring, Rev. ID, p. Hatch
and Dea. w. p. Hubbard.
Rev. Mr.. Hallock moved that a slight
change in the constitution be made, but the
change was not adopted.
The report OF the nominating committee
was adopted. and the following board Of Off
GERS elected:
President-Prof. L. L. Paine, ID. ID.
Vice Presldent-Dea. J: 5. Wheelwright.
Recording Secretarv-Rev. j. X. Adams
TreaSurer-Jno. l.. Crosby.
- Auditors-William s. bennett and b. B.
Thatcher.
Trustees-Prof L. L. Paine, Dea. ]. s. Wheel
wright, Rev. w. III. Fem, III. l.. Griffin, Rev. II.
B. Thayer, @. A. Woodbury., Rev. j. s. Sewall,
Rev. I. II. Hallock, W. Z. Hubbard, E.R. Burpee,
Rev: Il. 7. Snow, Rev. Q. II. McCuliy, Rev. +. b.
DEMO.
Adjourned.
Afternoon Session.
The Conference opened in the afternoon at
2o'cloek. Rev. Stephen l.. Bowler offered
prayer. The report of the committee on
Sunday schools, in the absence Of Rev. Ben
jamin 7. Snow, was made by the Rev. Mr..
Cousins of Cumberland Mills. The report
dwelt upon 1.-THE vast importance Of Sunday
school work in furthering the cause Of Chris
tianity. The report stated that the schools
number. adding 80 for mission schools, 800,
with total membership OF 22,957. These
schools are connected with $50 churches. and
draw the members from 1875 families; an
average Of II from a family. Comparing
out school membership with the whole num-
Der in our Sunday schools, we find q ,59S
church members, and the total In Sunday
schools 22,957. If all our church members
were members Of the Sunday school. would
not our Sunday school total be quite differ
ent, rejecting more favorably upon our
faithfulness and indicating more becoming
results Of our walk land work as disciples?
1t is for us to ponder the matter prayerfully,
and to say whether we, rs a denomination,
are coming up to our privilege and obliga-
tion, when Of State population of 65O,0OO
only 100000 are to be found in all the
Sunday schools Of all denominations in the
State. Our public school statistics show
that we have in the State 213.O00 persons Of
school age, while you will note that our Sun
day schools, counting all adults, have only
100000 out Of the 213,000 in the State. The
organization of individual schools should be
made study. Covet the best gifts and the
best methods for teaching. Seek the train
ing OF teachers classes, teachers meetings,
Normal courses, books on teaching. the Sun
day school assembly, convention, county,
State, international. Are we Ccngrega-
tionalists doing our share of the work and
getting our part Of the benefit of the various
conventions aud assemblies in our State ?We
urge our fellow workers to inquire into
these means Of Improvement, and by at
tendance and participation aid the cause at
large while beneitting themselves. We de-
sire TO commend highly the qualifications of
our own Sunday school and publishing
society. Money can nowhere else pay such
an interest as when put into this most fruit
full enterprise"
Reports in regard to the State educational
institutions were then made. Rev. E. p.
Wilson, chairman Of the board Of visitors,
stated that Of the seventeen persons ap-
pointed on this board, seven had attended to
their duty. He thought there was cause for
thankfulness in that.
In regard to the Bangor seminary the re-
port stated that the different members Of the
faculty are all good men; all are doing good
work. Particularly were the board OF visit
ors satisfied with the work of Prof. Stearns.
Young men of the graduating class acquit-
ted themselves in manner that reflected
credit upon them and their instructor. We
believe our Bangor seminary Is doing a work
second to none in the country. There
Is not only need OF money to strengthen
what remains, but to add another teacher to
our Bangor seminary. The board Of visit
Ors would recommend that this conference
take steps to establish at cur Bangor school
q teacher OF English exegesis.
President Hyde Of Bowd0in College, said
that none Of the appointed visitors to the
college had attended to their duty. He said
the college had had prosperous year; inn
provement in character Of the scholars and
religious and missionary sentiment in the
college. A Sunday afternoon service has
been added TO the Thursday service. The
faculty need better salaries; there should be
money expended in dormitories; the library
should be more largely endowed, as well as
the other departments Of the college. The
college is doing high standard of work
with small endowment The mem
bers of the faculty are the young
est Of any college in the country,
their average age being only "a years. They
are all competent men, and perform a much
greater amount Of work than would be pos
sible for men more advanced In years. The
college has sent out $50 ministers, besides
numerous instructors in college, seminaries
and other schools.
President Hydes remarks were very inter-
estlng.
The annual meeting of the Maine Branch
Of College and Education Society was held
at o'clock. Few present seemed to know
just what this society is. or who the men,
bers are. 1t was stated, however, that all
contributors to the funds are members Rev.
w. Z. Fisher Of Brunswick presided. A
nominating committee recommended the fol-
lowing officers, who were elected for the en-
suing year:
president-Rav Franz II Ravlav porffoua