The Republican journal., 1897-09-23

y AAoV VI CauECuoS. AOO0u.-A Sh-
land, North Bangor, Portland, Bethlehem
mission (Scandinavian.) Omitted Mona
Name changed,-S Lawrence Street To st.
Lawrence, Portland.
Churches: Whole number, 245.
MINISTERS: Whole number in the State
l95, OF whom 43 are not in the pastorate.
Church Members: Males, 6,193: females
10, ,454; total, 21,647; including 3,911 absent :
gain, 1O4
Additions: By confession, 76O; by letter.
372; total, 1882.
., Removals: By DEATH sel; by dismissal,
44 by discipline, ia; total, 500
Baptisms: Adults, 572; infants, 143.
Sunday Schools: Members, 22.SO9 loss
a1 average, 1918.
Young Peoples Societies Number. 1so.
members, 96O7.
l. Families: POP churches reporting (2O7 last
yearD 1888; loss, s..
Benevolent Contributions 1913 churches
reporting (213 last year,) Foreign, Sl1 ,3O1 :
Education, 1926; Church Building. SS677 :.
Home, S15,5S9; A. NJ A, S6,27O; Sunday
school, 81 ,063; Ministerial Aid, S757 other.
S29,545; total, S76,452; increase, S., ,05S.
Home expenditures: 2O5 churches report-
294 S''>' ~'A''
From these figures it may be noted that
the additions to membership are about three
hundred less than the unusual figures of the
previous year, but are fully up to the regl-
y
changes, except in benevolence, are not
enough marked to show more than the vari-
atlons that may arise from incompeteness
in reporting from year to year. In benevo-
lences, while we have smaller number of
churches reporting than for 1895, we tiud a
gratifying increase of about So 900. The
gains are, for Foreign Missions, in round
numbers, 500; for Education, 81 400; for
Church Building, $500; for Ministerial
Aid, 5000; for other objects, S1,SOO The
losses are, for Home Missions, $500; for
Sunday schools, $780, while the A. Nj. A.
has practically the same figures as last year,
The increase of $40 600 in home expenditures
is more than covered by the St. Lawrence
church, Portland, in connection with their
new church building, while the marked in-
crease in benevolence under the heading
church building is, in large part, account
ed LOT by the generous gifts from sister
churches to that same worthy undertaking.
We note again that cur churches are supplied
TO an unusual degree with regular minis
ters. There is no self-supporting church in
the State without minister and our mis-
slonary churches are supplied more fully
than usual. This condition induces fewer
changes in the pastorates than in ordinary
years, and thus theoretically is an advan-
tage Practically, the question may be
raised whether there is an advantage in
continuing pastorate that has lost its pow
er and significance.
Rev. Charles Harbutt of Presque Isle pre-
sented the report of the Secretary for Sun
day Schools. Dea, W. A. Robinson, the Sec
retary being absent Following is an alb
stract:
The conference recognizes the Importance
of the Sunday school by the office of Sunday
school secretary and committee. The
churches recognize the importance of this
bra 10 n hoir orly hI,f I1t11J o1n
their recognition by more generous tinan-
clal support of their respective schools and a
more hearty provision for the needy schools
throughout the State.
The secretary and S. S. committee have
sought during the past year to learn the
needs of the Sunday schools connected with
the weaker and missionary churches, and as
far as possible meet those needs.
The needs were found to be mostly library
and singing books. AS the committee had
no money at its disposal, the question came,
How shall we meet these needs? This ques
ton was met partly by aid of the Congrega-
tional Sunday School & Publication Society
of Boston, and partly by soliciting books
from the larger schools and distributing to
the needy. About 600 library and 100 sing
ing books have been received and Clstribut
ed by the committee. Conference secreta-
ries have been elected at the request of the
State committee in all the local conferences
but three. These are to cooperate with the
State committee in their work.
There are some needs that can only be met
by the use of money and the report recon-
mends that all churches be asked TO make
an annual offering to fund to be known as
the State Sunday school fund to be used in
this important work.
The hymn, LEAD, Kindly Light was
sung.
Rev. C. H. Cutler of Bangor presented an
4 S,r,i-. ID. =,
which he showed many points of similarity
in the work of the prophet of old and the
preacher of to-day. AS man with a mes
sage, he said, they are essentially one.
preacher is a prophet. He speaks of the
church and through the church to the world.
The question was discussed by Rev. Chas.
Harbutt of Presque Isle Rev. H. W. Kim
ball of Skowhegan; Rev. Geo A Mills of
Dennisville; and Rev Geo. c. Junkins of
The Forks Of the Kennebec.
The congregation then sang "The Son of
God goes forth to War"
The subject, "The Congregational Church
in Relation to Modern Thought and Modern
Methods" was ably presented in interesting
addresses by Rev. J. L. Quimby of Gardiner
and Rev. E. l.. Marsh of Waterville.
A letter was read from Dea. E. F. Duren
of Bangor, who was for many years Secre-
tary of the Conference, but who by reason
of age and failing eyesight was unable to be
present He says: 81 should love to be at
the meeting of the General Conference at
Belfast, but it would be an embarrassment
to me on account of my want OF sight.
think the dimness increases But my gem
eral health is good, and l have many
mercies. Ny love to the Conference, at
whose meetings and fellowship have had
real pleasure and help"
Miss Emily Wheeler made brief and spirit
ed remarks on the duties of ministers and
church members. Miss Wheeler is daugh-
ter of the late Rev. Crosby Fl. Wheeler, u.
D., Maine man, who for 40 years was
missionary to Turkey and president OF Har-
poot college in that country,
The afternoon session closed with the
hymn, eight the Good Fight, by the con-
gregation and the benediction by Rev. l.. u.
Evans of Camden.
The evening session opened with praise
service led by Rev. j. S. Williamson. Able
and interesting addresses were made on the
subject of Foreign Mission by Rev. j. l..
Barton, Secretary of the A. b. Y. +. M