The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-03-15
NEW CHURCH AT SOUTH PORTLAND.
Report of the Executive Committee of the
Maine INSTRUMENTATION Commission.

The executive committee of the Inter
UNCONVENTIONAL Commission of Maine,
to which was referred the proposition to
estab Iish a Congregational church IN
South Portland, report unanimously as
follows:
We desire to express our hearty appreci-
alton of the thorough, comprehensive
and progressive work of the Peoples
Methodist Episcopal church in South
Portland. In all departments of modern
church work, systematic Bible STUDY,
graded Sunday school instruction,
preaching services, pastoral care, MS,
sionary societies, Epworth League; in the
organization of the Young Mems Imrove-
ment society and in the conduct Of the
citizens relief work, this church is do
lug magnificent work, for which every
Christian and every citizen of South
Portland should be profoundly grateful,
We find South Portland a . growing
community having a Protestant popula-
ton of over fourteen hundred. The
Methodist church has regular congre-
CATION of about two hundred. A few
families have church connections IN bhe
North Congregational church or. Port-
land. Many families have no regular
church connection.
II the families now connected with re-
AiOUC CHuIGnCS COulO uuibC anu S&oh - 49,
a sufficient number of those who have
no church connection, we believe sIhat
the church thus formed would be help
rather than a hindrance to the cause OF
Christ in this community. We recognize
that the Congregationalists, by the
proximity of the North Congregational
church, are most favorably situated to
undertake the development of this new
work.
We find, however, that for the present
the probable financial support of such
work would not exceed three hundred
dollars. The attempt to support two
churches in South Portland at present
would compel both to resort to competl-
tive methods OF raising money, or else 70
starve. Accordingly, we recommend
that the CongregationalisGs refrain from
organization, and from any extension
of their work which will involve greater
expense than can be provided for Dy the
voluntary ontributions of the persons
Immediately interested in the new move
ment, until there shall be developed
sufficient constituency to support
strong church and carry on an efficient
work without undue dependence upon
missionary aid, without the slightest
effort to divert support now given to the
Methodist chucrh; and without resorting
to entertainments and devices for draw
ing support from the community at
large. bub we dppIoto 0uO ohoI I'd
of the Congregationalists to main
tain religious services in South Port
land, as branch of the North Congre-
gational church.
We hope that the Congregationalists,
in selecting the time and the place of
their meetings, will endeavor to avoid
all appearance of rivalry, and will main
tain in their work the spirit of friendly
cooperation with their Methodist
brethren in the service of their common
Master.
We desire in conclusion, to express our
thanks to the Congregational brethren
who submitted their proposed movement
to the test of the principles of the Inter-
UNCONVENTIONAL Commission, and the
Methodist brethren, who, in response to
our invitation, gave us full and frank
statement of objections.
We have endeavored to give due weight
to the considerations urged on both
sides, and hope that our decision will be
accepted by both parties in that spirit of
devotion to the highest interests Of the
Kingdom of Christ in this community,
which shall insure the blessing of God
upon whatever work His people there
may undertake.
BY order of the Committee,
A. DUNN, Secretary.
Waterville, Me-, March 10, 1894.