The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-09-09

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Leaving bal due the treasurer.......s 3.33
Mr.. Pbenix declined to serves as treasurer
for the following year, and Mr.. Fred Morse
Of Free street was elected. after Mr.. F. w.
Brunei had declined. V. r. Foss was elect
ed auditor.
On motion of Mr.. Foss visitors from other
evangelical denominations were invited to
be present and participate In the sessions.
The address of welcome was delivered by
Rev. DIR. Small. He said that when mem
bers of family who had been temporarily
absent from a home returned a formal well
come was superfuity. This church Is the
home Of this association aud a formal well
come is needless. He spoke Of the frequent
reuions of bodies Of men who In times past
have shared dangers and duties. These re-
unions, he said, are ichiefiy for reminis-
cences. The reunions of the soldiers Of
Christ are totally different. While they
have much to look back to their constant
look is onward. Our general is not dead
He still on the field. Every reunion is for
re-enlistment and recruiting. With such re-
ports from scouting parties as we had last
year and those that we shall have today
there should be no difficulty In gathering
strength. Mr.. Chase briefly replied to tie
address.
Rev. G. G. Spear Of Sanford was chosen
deputy clerk for the purpose Of reading let
ters from the churches, of which the follw-
ing is general abstract:
First Baptist Church, Portland No marked
movements have taken place during. the year
Rev. DIR. small the pastor, has rendered his resig
nation after eight and one-hah years of service
The membership roll has been revised and many
present membership IS $50, during tie year 20 20
have been dismissed, have died, 80 names
Sels sos Sasea Tor
s1936; expense of society s4,2l3.4s.
cured pastor since last y year, HIS ministss Sss
ti0ns have been well supported. A new parson-
age is being built. Present membership Is 50;
have been baptised, admitted by letter. by
testimony: Sunday school numbers 236.
Acton Church-Membership, ~; dismissed, 1.
waterboro First ohurch-The meeting house
sSe repairs were made Rev Mr. soeaf eAien
supplied since then, but settled pastor Is de-
sired. The centennial will be observed ia October.
school numbers 90.
Cornish-The church numbers two members
Lebanon and North Berwlck-Membersnip, IL /;
dismissed, 3; died, 2; erased, 8. Sunday school,
116.
Limerick Membership, 4s; dismissed, 1; died,
2. The Sunday school has 40 members.
Shapeigh First Church-The church has done
fairly well during the year. Three have been dis
missed and one has died. The Sunday school
Eningham, n H.. Church-Membership IL;
received, 2. Sunday school NUMBERS 48
Buxton Church-The year has been very sue
cessful. There have been several conversions
and several good movements have been started.
Membership, 435. a gain Of 80; dismissed. q;
SS5 IHS RAISED fOr er
Alfred Church ch-MsmbershIp, 10; baptIsed, s.
Sunday school numbers 3S.
Shapleigh Second Church-Msmbership, 25.
Sunday school numbers "a.
springvale Church-This church has had
prosperous year and expects to celebrate its semi
centennial In 1898. Present membership, 124;
baptised, 3; joined by letter, by experience. 2;
prospeTed "a HAVING BEEN adaeS "a scn00 mas
North Alfred Church-C Considering the scattered
nature Of the population, this church has done
Centre waterDoro Church~This church church i, IS
among the unfortunates. IL has no pastor, no Of
ncers. and has bad only scattered services
East Limington Church-There has been no
pastor here, and only partial services. Member
Westbrook Church-The past year has been
prosperous all along the line. Membership, SO;
II baptised; l admitted by letter; BY expert
ence. One was dismissed aud seven names
erased by revisal OF the list. Benevolent con-
tributons 500 40; raised for expenses, l9S.oS.
Free Street Church, Poriland-Membershlp,
missed by letter, q; died, 2; erased, L; Sunday
school numbers 295; contributions, So, 1867;
raised for expenses, $4,000.
Freedom, N. H., Limlngton and Parsonsheld
churches failed TO send letters.
Following the reading of the letters. came
the preaching of the association sermon by
Rev. Mr.. Chapman of Alfred, Rev. @. G.
Spear leading the singing. Mr.. Chlpman's
text was l. Corinthians, iii. 10-11: accord
ing to the grace of God which is given unto
me as wise master builder. have laid the
foundation and another buildeth thereupoD.
For other foundation can no mau lay than
that is laid, which Is Jesus Christ"
Although. said the speaker, master build
ing is honorable and desirable, there is much
of foundation work and humber building to
be done. Much has been built Of hay and
stubble. that should have been built of brick
and stone. Character building is the theme
of the discourse. Character building is, or
should be. the end and result of the Chris
tian religion. Does this character come Of
itself, or must 1t be acquired by conversion
and reconstruction. The Bible gives no un-
certain sound on this point. Other
denominations believe In mans saving him
self, using Christ as a shining example
example We believe 1t to be safe to use
the three RS Of religion, first the inevitable
ruin Of man, then divine regeneration, and
lastly, perfect redemption. There is no 9TH
or sure foundation for the character than
Jesus Christ. Henry Ward Beecher's figure
OF the man whose foundation is not Christ
A bird building a nest in tree on a river
bank was declared correct For time the
bird and the river go on peacefully. but sud-
denly the river undermines the tree and 1t
falls and the nest is lost
Rev. DIR. Dunn OF Wateryille. spoke few
words concerning the state missionary con-
vention. de suggested that some action
should be taken looking to greater co-opera-
tion between the associations so that the
speakers could visit all of the ii instead Of
only one or two as the meetings are now ar
ranged. DIR. Dunn turned to the map of the
states hanging by the pulpit and pointed
out some Of its salient features. There are
zoo cnurcnes with about 100 regularly settled
pastors. The outlook is bright.
Notwithstanding the losses reportsd. there
Is wakening to the necessity OF taking off
names tnat are only names. These little
country cnuIches are nurseries of the larger
churches and gratitude should move us To
continue their support. 1t seems as though
tne tlde OF emigration from this state has
suInf1 .'lnt anu our young people are coming to
worK lot tne church In Maine instead Of In
the West. There are calls outside of Maine
wnlcn should be attended to which will be
neatu later. These are urgent calls, but
VIC houe nelu must be kept up il missiOna-