The Portland daily press., 1896-09-24

service preceding the annual meeting Of
the Maine Missionary Society. The
President, Mr.. Galen O. Moses of Bath,
was in the chair. After the opening
devotional services the following re-
ports were read:
Report Of the secretary, Rev. David P.
Hatch, is in part as follows:
During the fifteen months included in
this report, seventy eight churches and
fields have been upon the Soc1ety's regu-
larly aided list, for portion, or the
whole of the time; while the addition of
fields occupied only in the summer,
brings the total to one hundred and
thirty-one. By reference to the statistical
tables, the field can be studied in detail.
The reduction of appropriations COM
PEELED year ago. by the financial oondi !
tion of the Society, has had different re-
suits in different churches, according to
the circumstances in each case. Nearly
three-fourths of the number, as reported
at the close of the first quarter Of year.
had made good the delft ienoy caused by
the reduction, while with the rest, the
pastor had to m eet the loss.
We are gratified to note in a number
of instances, that the spiritual results
have been marked, while revivals are re-
ported from several churches. Three
hundred and forty-four conversions are
given from the entire field, while OF thi s
total, eleven churches have seen from
twelve to twenty five in each, beginning
the Christian life. The figures given
under the head of "Conversions, are
conservative, it being the tendency to
report fewer than the facts allow.
Among the stations whose work is
noted, are:
Ashland, one ofrthe youngest and most
| iSfp Of
lied with seventeen members in January
under the care of Rev. G. L. Parker.
church building is in process of erec-
tion, which will be of unusual impor-
tanoe in this promising center. just
opened by the completion of the railroad.
Bethany church at South Portland, Is
one of the children of the past year.
and at Deering, has been rewarded by
seeing over sixty profess Christ. This Is,
spiritually considered, the most success
full work reported from our churches.
South Portland gives promisesof vigor-
GUS growth if It's contemplated house Of
worship can be quickly brought to its
reali zation.
North Bridgton rs-dedicated it's reno
waited and beautiful church, and new
chapel, in August. This Is the out
growth of the earnest effort of the peOpls,
under the impulse of their pastor, Rev.
A. g. Fitz and marks an important
improvement in this beautiful academy
village.
Casco has been encouraged to revive
work, under the lead Of Mr.. d. E. CO.
bnin, who supplies the church in con-
neotions with Otisfe]d, the latter being
self-supporting.
Sebago has been Independently organ
| ICED, and in connection with Hiram, has
| teen greatly refreshed under the lead Of
Mr.. G. P. Merrett Twenty eight mem-
| hers were received into these two church
es iu May as part Of the fruit of the
| years. work. MIR. Merrett has left for
college, but his work is continued by MIR.
w. p. Hume.
The Scandinavian Mission in Portland,
| has been taken under the Sooiety's care
experimentally, AS the only foreign work
on cur list. 1t is In the midst of a SEQ
tion where this thrifty class gives promise
of growth and activity.
CHANGES AMONG THE WORKERS.
The death of Rev, P. B. Thayer has
already been noticed. 1t ia cause for
profound gratitude that our ranks of
| pastors have been but once invaded by
| death. Seventeen pastors have left their
fields during the year, several of whom
have changed to other churches still UNI
der the care of the Society. Rev. F. v.
Norcross, SO long and honorably connect
ed with our missionary churches has re :
tired from Andover, and is at present
without charge. Rev. II. J. Wells. who
SO successfully carried on the work at
Union for several years, has left the
state, for place of wide usefulness in
Brooklyn, N. Y. Five Others have left
the state for work elsewhere, while Rev.
e. A. Harlow, another veteran In ouI
missionary service, has for the time been
compelled to rest from active work. Five
new men have come to our churches, be
side three graduates of the last class al
the Seminary, who have found their
place in our ranks. This gives a brie1
sum mary of the changes among our mis-.
sionary pastors. We believe that for the
work to which they are commissioned
we have loyal set of missionaries, some
of whom are proving themselves to bt
,esnuine heroes in their devotion.
OUR STUDENT WORK. 2
| The period Under review. covers the las