The Somerset reporter., 1893-09-21


seventeen churches in Somerset and
kennebec counties. held its siXty-tifth
session with the First Baptist church in
this place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The occasion was made more interesting
from the fact that it was held on the
ninetieth anniversary of the organiza-
ton of the entertaining church.
The exercises began on Tuesday fore
noon at 1890, and were opened by a SER
vice of praise and prayer, led by Rev.
e. Y. Hanson. The association was
organized by the choice of Rev. {. L.
Owen. Gardiner, moderator; Rev. j. +.
Cochranc. IIallowell, clerk and treasur-
er; and j. ". Philbrck, Waterville.
auditor.
The annual sermon was by Rev, +.
NJ. Bartlett. Oakland. His text was
John. II; u. Except a corn of wheat
fall into the ground and die it abideth
alone, but if it die it bringeth forth
much fruit" The death of Christ had
borne marvellous fruitage. He reigns
everywhere, in literature and in law,
and in the social progress OF our time.
The sermon WAS a happy introduction to
the work of the association.
Dinner was served to all in the taste
full chapel. Grace was said by Rev. q.
B. Ilsley, Bangor. Experienced hands
had provided, aud delft fingers had
daintily arranged the tempting viands.
1t was an hour of good cheer and pleas
ant fellow ship.
At 2.l5, Rev. G. W. lIinckley led
another season Of praise and prayer.
Four new churches were received, those
in China, Knox. East and North Nassal-
boro. These came from a new arrange
ment of associational lines in the State.
The body now numbers twenty-one
churches. Representatives of these
added churches received the hand of
fellowship from the moderator. Then
followed the reading of the letters from
most of the churches. This work was
completed on Wednesday forenoon.
Rev. \. Il. Dunn. ID. D., Waterville,
Secretary of the State Missionary So
ciety, gave an interesting address on the
ciety has three missionaries in the field.
and aids fifty-six churches within the
borders of our good State. He gave n
very interesting description of the
marked growth of the church in New
Sweden. Aroostook County, which is
made up of these hardy and sturdy
colonists. lie was followed in brief
address by Rev. j. Kicker, Augusta
who served very faithfully for twenty
years in the Office now held by Dr.
Dunn. Rev. Mr.. Ilsley. named above.
spoke earnestly on the work of the
Home Mission Society. The field of
this society is North America and MeXi-
co. Great results have been accomplish
ed. greater are to come.
Rev. II. w. Hale. for twenty years II
missionary in India, gave very i'm
pressivc address on his work in that far
off field. He represented the Mission
ary Union whose field is the world.
The evening service was Il grand cul-
mination of the exercises of the day.
The ordinary seating capacity of the
house of worship was too small for all
that wished to be present. Extra seats
We're provided, and the speakers faced a
la u1i
|. b. Mower led a very inspiring service
of praise. Rev. A. j. Lebeau of the
Grand Ligne Mission, gave wide awake
talk on the work Of this Baptist mission
among the French in the Province of
Quebec.
The closing address, and mastery
one it was, was by President Whitman,
of Colby. He spoke on some of the
features in the educational problem of
our time. The present was better than
the past. True culture, so far as it
could come from the schools. must be
produced by union of the classical and
scientific training, The first brought
one into contact with the best in the
past, and the second put one into touch
with nature. He.pleaded for learning
for its own sake, aside from any i'm
mediate bearing it might have upon the
winning of bread.
The great audience hung upon the
lips of the eloquent speaker, and APP
plauded him when he closed. Thus
closed a day of great profit and in
spiration.
WEDNESDAY.
The session on Wednesday morning
opened with large attendance. Rev.
O. c. Herbert. China. led the service of
prayer and praise. The doctrinal ser
mon was by Rey. W. II. Spencer, d. d.,
and was calm, dspassionate, and clear
statement of the distinctive principles
of the Baptists. Rer. e. B. Peckham
lIallowell. spoke on the influence of the
Christian press. Dinner was served
again in the chapel. and another season
of good cheer prevailed.
The closing exercises in the afternoon
We're of great interest. Rev. q. W.
IIinckley spoke on the conversion of
children. Rev. G.. Y. Hanson on '.How