The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-10-06
MAINE BlPTISTS.
Annual State Convention at South
Berwick.
LARGE ATTENDANCE OF DELE
GATES AND CLERGY.

Reports Show General Failing Off in
Money Contributed For Work and Re-
sults-showing Not Regarded as Dis
oouraging-successful Attempt to Ex-
finguish a Debt of 81 900.
south Berwick, October 5.-This is his
torlo ground for the Baptists of Maine,
TACT that has been referred to several
eimes during the proceedings OF the first
day session of the anniversaries of those
socletles which carry on the work of the
baptlst denomination in the State. The
anniversaries always bring together a
large number of the clergy and the lead
ing members of the denomination, and
this years attendance in no exception to
the rule. The church has been TILED at
eacn OF the three sessions held today.
The forenoon and afternoon meetings
were devoted to the Maine Baptist Mis-
slonary convention, the president, Rev.
u. b. Illsley. d. D., of Bangor, presid :
| ing.
Among the reports presented were three
which tell the story of the years expert
ence. They are those of the trustees, the
treasurer and the committee on state of
religion. These reports showed that the
Baptists' have had a prosperous year,
although the financial exhibit revealed
a doficit OF $1,000. However, the members
OF the convention attended to that before
they left the church in the afternoon and
the money raising deed was one of the
interesting things of the day.
The exercises of the day began with q
devotional service led by Rev. A. N.
Dairy, after which the visitors were well
b. Mower, the pastor of the church. Pres
ident Ilsley then addressed the conven-
iton, responding first to the cordial well
come of Pastor Mower. DR.. Ilsley men
toned the fact that his interest in these
gatherings has been kept up since the
convention in Biddeford in 1859. He
spoke at some length of those who took
prominent parts in that meeting and also
referred to the convention of 1867, held
III Rookland when he became connected
with the organization as the pastorsof
Maine Baptist church.
g Ihe annual sermon preached byAtlie
Rev. j. FL. Parshly Of Lawrence, Mass,
was on the text found in Romans, VIII:
80, and was an eloquent discourse.
| Fraternal greetings were extended to the
convention by Rev. DR.. g. L. Lewis of
the South Berwick Congregational
church, Rev. Israel Luca Of the Metho-
dist church, Rev. Mr.. Parsons of the Free
Baptist church, and Rev. C. E. Knight
of the Christian church.
THE STATE OF RELIGION.
The report of the committee on state of
religion was presented by Rev. John f.
Tilton. While the year has been one of
expectant seed sowing rather than of
marked revival interest, every association
report some church or churches in which
an unusual religious interest prevails.
Among them are Houlton, Presque Isle,
Caribou, Washburn, Calais. Bangor,
Brewer, Oldtown, Skowhegan, Thomas
ton, 1sleboro, Hartland, Dexter, Dover
and Foxcrott Damariscotta, Norway,
Weld, Carthage, Rumford Falls, East
Dixheld, Kennebunk, Blue Hill, Port
land, Ellsworth, Surrey, Winter Harbor,
Northeast Harbor and others. The num-
ber received by baptism is 652, Hancock
association leading with 110; Penobscot
| second with 81. The other associations
follow in the order named: Lincoln,
81; Aroostook, 81; Kennebec, 80; Oxford,
SO; Damariscotta, 80; York, SO; Bowdoin-
ham, 81; Cumberland, 20; Piscataouis,
19, and Washington, II. OF these only
Hancock, Penobscot and York show an
increase over last year.
There have been fewer baptisms than
in any year for four years and fewer than
last year by 161. The total additions have
been: Aroostook, 145; Bowdoinham. 9s;
| Cumberland, So; Damariscotta, SO; Han
cock, about 100; Kennebec, 1903; Lincoln,
l25; Oxford, 80; Penobscot, 148; Piscata-
quis, 81 Washington, 81; York, 54; total
of 1914. The total losses have been about
houses of meetings have been dedicated
at Brookton, 5mithtield, second Palermo
| and Lubec, and one will soon be dedi-
Gated at Freeport, while North Anson has
a building partly erected. There has
been decided increase in the benevo-
lent contributions, the amount this year
1926, ,871.27), being the largest ever con-
tributed in a single year. Aroostook
Penobscot, Cumberland and Washington
show marked increase Bowdoinham,
Damariscotta and York show slight In
crease while Oxford, aside from the $1,000
legacy, ssincluded in last years report,
shows gain Of nearly $4,000. Hancock,
Lincoln, Kennebec and Piscataquis show
decrease The enrolment in the Sun
day schoolsIsis slightly larger than last
year, Ebut the attendance is less by $500.
The number baptized is nearly 100 less
and the money raised is less by nearly
$1,000. Notwithstanding the fact that the
figures are not SO good as last year, the
committee finds great and growing
religious interest throughout the state.
COMMITTEES APPOINTED.
10 ~ pQn0