Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-06-14
Bowsoln CONFERENCE
And Dedication st The Free Baptist Church 1t
Gardiner.

GARDINER, June l3.-(Special.) The
annual meeting of the Bowdoin Conference
of Free Baptist churches met today in the
beautiful new church at the corner of Sum-
mer and Winter streets in this city. Quite
q number of the prominent members of the
denomination were present. including Dea-
con Jesse Blake of Lowell, Mass Rey.
S. C. Whitcomb of PittsHeld, president of
the State association : Prof. A. W. An
thopy of Bates Divinity school; Miss Lo-
vina c. Coombs and Mr.. W. o. Philips,
returned missionaries from India, and
many others. 1t $50 A. NJ. a short prayer
service was led by Rev. H. F. Wood. At
10 o'clock the conference was called to Or
der by the President, Rev.
C. F. Penney, D. d., of Auburn. About
l5O delegates were present, representing
30 out of the 80 churches in the confer
ences. The executive committee reported
as to the condition of the churches in the
conference which was very satisfactory.
The usual committees for the year were ap-
pointed. The council consisting of Rev.
Martyr Summerbell, d. D., Rev. C. F.
Penney, D. d., Rev. H. F. Wood and Rev.
S. A. Blaisdell examined w. w. Harris, q
graduate of Bates College and Herbert R.
Puripgton of Colby college as candidates
for ordination. The examination was in-
tensely satisfactory and they were recon-
menced and ordained, Rev. W. M. Davis
making the prayer. followed by the charge
which was made by Rev. Martyr Summer
bell, Prof. A. w. Anthony giving the hand
of fellowship.
At the annual election Prof. A. W. An
thony of the Divinity school at Lewiston
was elected president; Rev. F. D. George
of Gardiner, vice president; N. S. Purin-
ton, secretary and treasurer; Rev. DIR. Sum-
merbell and Rev. James Boyd, ex. com. ;
as delegates to other quarterly meetings
Rev. Martyr Summerbell to Cumberland,
Rev. w. M. Davis to Edgecomb, Rev.
James Boyd to Farmington, Rev. GA. Dow
ney to Otisfield and Rev. j. S. Staples to
Waterville. Rev. S. C. Whitcomb made a
short address on State work after which a
collection for this work was taken amount
ing to $l6.79. Rev. Martin Summerbell
preached the annual sermon which was very
interesting and full of strength.
The audience room was filled during the
services all day but in the evening the house
was packed to overlooking, the special
service being the dedication of the new
church. Rev. f. d. George in short ad-
dress gave a very interesting historical
sketch of the Gardiner church.
He was followed by a sermon by
Rev. c. F. Penney after which Mr.. Chas.
Bridge made financial statement in which
he stated that the original house was built
in 1886 and cost $4,000. The expense at
tending the present house was as follows :
Raising, turningand moving lG feet, $l35 !;
foundation, $685. carpenter work, 1927 ;
lumber and hardware, $603; painting,
$3.50; plastering, $l25; memorial windows
$500; frescoing, $3.50; finishing, $220 ;
pews, S34O; furnishing, $3.50. Total ex-
pense, S6637. Total gifts amounted to
$3447; from the treasury, S27l0. The
balance of the dett, 5000, was raised dur
ing the evening services, and the church is
now free from debt, and the Free Baptist
Church of Gardiner may well feel proud of
their handsome church, which, although
not the largest, is one of the prettiest and
neatest in the State.