The Portland daily press., 1890-06-18

will but believe we shall see the glory Of
God.
The discussion was close, thoughtful and
eloquent plea for increase of living working
faith in all the membership of the churches.
The Reports.
The report of the treasurer, Deacon j. 5.
Wheelwright of Bangor, presented, in sum-
general, a good state of the finances of the
conference The small balance due the Ma
tional Council will be at once provided for.
The report of the treasurer was accepted.
The important report of the correspond
ing .secretary, Rev. G. H. Pope Of Kenne-
bunkport, gave the statistics and leading
facts in the years history. The secretary
was able to put in attractive form the sub
stance of his report, and his FRESH, telling
style held general attention.
The report states that 241 clerks Of church
es have sent in, with commendable prompt
ness the figures and accounts Of their annual
life.
The secretary adds to the list several new
churches, among them one on outer Long
Island, near Mount Desert, a most interest
ing, new organization in its bearing upon
the social, educational and general life of
the families on the island.
The property plant of the churches Is very
valuable and Is increasing. The average
salary Of our clergy Is about that Of our
high school principals. We have increased
our benevolent contributions and the area of
sympathetic giving is enlarged, a most en-
couraging feature
Our membership has made a net gain an
reaches now nearly 22000 Nearly 700 mem-
bers have been admitted to our churches and
116 children were baptized.
About "a, 900 are enrolled in the Sunday
Sch00lS, and 457, or two-thirds OF all c0nyer-
sions, have come from these schools. The
material figures are subjoined: Number Of
conferences, 15; churches, 243 ministers, ,121 ;
church members, males 63l4, females 1898,
total q, 1,712; in Sabbath schools, %. .454; be-
nevolent contributions. $56,S72; home expen-
ditures, $2l ,666; young peoples societies, ,1O3,
with 1880 members
The excellent report of the secretary was
followed by an animated discussion of the
situation, led by Rev. S. ID. Towne and Rev.
L. +. Millett, who placed emphasis on the
need of county missionaries to help the
weaker churches. Rev. +. t. Bayley, Prof.
Paine of Bangor Seminary, and others, made
and suggested important action
in the case of the report from the churches |;
especially that it be referred each year to a
select committee and the whole subject be
discussed during one of the most favorable
sessions of the conference.
The Rev. l.. III. Hallock presented an i'm
portant memorial from the Kennebec con-
ference contemplating more stimulating and
gifts of the churches for our home and
foreign missionary fields. The memorial
contemplated among other things an annual
sermon from each pastor every year on each
of the seven great societies conducting our
missionary operations and also that an
annual collection be unfailingly made.
Bridgton is a most delightful village, set
in surrounding country charming in all its
features. Visitors are in raptures over the
neat streets, trim grounds, tasteful decora-
tions and handsome, commodious dwellings
on all streets. 1t looks like an ideal village
and deserves the enthusiastic admiration 1t
it receiving.
The arrangements for this meeting and for
the entertainment of visitors are careful and
generous, and are being admirably carried
out.
The session continues through Wednesday
and Thursday, closing Thursday evening.