The Portland daily press., 1897-10-07

Mention also made of the late Prof. J.
B. Foster of Colby university.
Rev. H NJ. Mitchell of Liyermore
Falls, addressed the convention making
especial mention of Mr.. Fletcher, who
had served his God as faithfully as he
served his country.
Rev. E. G. Whittemore of Damariscot-
ia, spoke of DIR. Shaw as faithful pastor,
an evangelistie preacher, man of ambi-
ton to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in
NEEDY, fields, preacher of the gospel in
its simplicity.
Hon. Moses Giddings of Bangor spoke
of DR.. Kicker. What was he, what did
he do? As man DR.. Kicker was good
type of New England character. He was
early used to self..denial. AS q man he
was true to his trust. He rarely mistook
in his judgment of men. He had the
confidence of all with whom he had to
do. AS friend he was at all times sin
cere. He loved his associates, his neigh
bors, and the state in which he lived. AS
Christian he was from the first active,
cheerful, conseorated. AS minister no
was capable, worthy. He loved the Bible
and he was familiar with Its teachings.
He proclaimed its truths with great force.
He was worker in Gods vineyard, and
knew how to secure the work of others.
Much of his work was in all parts of the
state. Up and down the state he went in
the interests of the Baptist churches of
Maine.
The work of the commission of sys-
tematic benefcence" was presented by
W. q. Spencer, D. D. of Wateryille.
Reference was made to tho work of the
commission in Maine. Three meetings
have been held during the year. The state
has been districted and the work in these
districts was assigned to members of the
commission. Thirteen conferences have
been held in various parts of the state.
Literature on the subject has been dis
tributed. Commissions have been ap-
pointed in some of the associations.
Rev. DR.. Fl. c. Mabie of Boston adj
dressed the convention with r ference to
the work of the general commission.
There is nothing new in the principle of
systematic benefcence. But the import
ant thing is the conviction that has taken
hold of the members of our churches that
this matter shall be brought to the front.
No one method probably, can be formu-
lated. There may be different methods.
But the thing itself we must have. So
the general commission has sought to
reach state conventions and associations,
and finally it aims to reach each local
church. 1t may take a long time to root
the matter firmly in our churches, but
let us keep at ii year and year out. The
Christian use of money will then have
it's right place in our thoughts and plans.
We have not yet dreamed of our ability
to give for our various objects of benet-
cence
The following were appointed men,
bers of this commission for Maine: Rev.
E, Mason, Rev. W. H. Spencer, D. d.
more, Rev. I. B. Mower. Mrs. P. Bon
ney, Miss Madeleine Giddings. ..
The convention then adjourned.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
The devotional service at two o'clock
was conducted by Rev. DIR. Mabie of Bos-
ton. The meetings of the Maine Baptist
Education society opened with the presi.
dent, Rev. j. Fl. Barrows of Yarmouth
in the chair.
The annual sermon was preached by
Rev. G. A. Towne of Auburn, text Acts
IS. 1926. The Importance of the broadcast
! culture in the preparation of the work OF
| the Christian ministry was emphasized,
and the speaker proceeded to consider
| what is involved in the broadcast culture.
Welcome the.modern Aquilas and Priscil-
las who can instruction the way of theILord
more perfectly.
Rev. DR.. Spencer of Waterville, treas
urer of the Education society. presented
| his annual report. The receipts for the
year were 81 ,1s4. 80, and the appropriations
and expenditures were $685. SO, leaving q
balance in the treasury of $l95. 96. The
invested funds of the society amount tc
81, 635.oo.
Rev. C. E. Owen of Houlton, presented
the report of the directors of the Maine
Baptist Education society. The attend.
ance upon the academies was larger than
ever before, and the number of students
at Colby the past year has been exceeded
only twice in its history. The beginning
of a movement for the increase Of the
endowment of Colby university has been
made Twelve students for the ministry
have been aided during the year.
A symposium on "Our Educational
Institutions followed. President But
Ter of Colby called attention to the pres.
ent condition of the college. There is q
gratifying state of things at Colby now.
We have flourishing men and women's
Christian associations. With the excep
ton of one class, the class entering this
year is the largest that has entered the
college. The needs of the college are what
they have been for some time. 1t ought
to be better equipped throughout and
have enlarged facilities. A beginning has
been made in the effort to supply these