The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-01-26
THE FREE saprIsrs.
Conference At First Chnreh
Yesterday.

4
| Yesterday.
The Cumberland Conference OF the Fr-e
Baptist Churches met yesterday morning
| for q two days session with the First
Free Baptist church of this city In their
beautiful place Of worship In the former
Plymouth church building on Congress
street. The morning attendance twas not
very large, the session beginning before
many ltrains arrived.
| At ten O'Clock the conference was called
by the President, Rev. II. e. Freese OF
West Falmouth, on whose invitation Dea-
con Il. Aagerson of this city led in prayer.
The records of the preceding conference
were then read by Secretary I. +. Small
Of West Falmouth, and approved. The
Secretary also submitted thu following
list of delegates present.:
Portland: Mr.. and Mrs. l.. NJ. Webb.
Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel Hadlock, Mr. and
Mrs. NJ. II. Cox, Mrs. N. W. Litchfield,
Mr.. W. q. Osborne, MIR ]. Mann. Mrs
Isaac Orr, Mr.. Il. w. Fullam. Mrs. j.
L. Merryman, MIR. f. Aagerson.
Gray: Rev. Hermon Childs, Mr.. John
Prince, Mr. Frank Libby. Mrs. Grin Hig-
gins. Mrs. hugh Smith.
Groveville: Mr.. II. w. Cresscy, Mrs.
Horace Harmon. Mr.. 4. v. Smith.
Richviile: Mr.. G gorge e. Rackliffe, G.
II. Pendexter.
Steep Falls: Mrs. Mary X. Ridlop,
Mrs. +. L.. Strout, Mrs. Lucy Coolbroth.
West Danville: Mr.. A. b. Hdye. Mrs
II. l.. Frank. Mrs. PettengilI, Mrs. Par
sons.
Scarboro: Mr.. H. +. Bowers, MIR. John
II. johnson, Miss Nellie b. johnson.
West Falmouth: Mrs. A. 5. Noyes,
Mrs. ID. p. Small.
Cape Elizabeth: Mr.. l.. G. Jewell. MIR.
l.. G. Hannaford. Mrs J. l.. Parrott.
Reports from other quarterly meetings
were then announced as In order andwere
responded to by Rev. f L. King, cores
ponding messenger from the Otisiield con-
ference, and Rev. Mr.. Holman from the
conferences were represented as satisfac-
torily and general details given of the
loyal work done since the last meeting
The Rev. Il. Judson Hatch, who has
pastoral care over the churches at Grove
VILE and at Bar Mills, one of which be-
longs TO the Cum Der land and the other to
the York Conference, asked that his
status be established. A pleasant discus
sion sprang up participated In by the
President, the Kew. Mr.. Malvern, the
Secretary. Mr.. johnson of Scarboro and
others 1t was decided Ithat Mr.. Hatch
does not belong to this conference.
The ordination of Rev. Frank Wilcox,
pastor at West Buxton, was reported,
and he was unanimously admitted to the
conference.
At this point the Rev. Mr.. Malvern ex
tended a brief address of welcome to wis
itors. and spoke suocinctly OF the i'm,
provements made In the house of worship
within the last few weeks
Rev. Mr.. Rogers, pastor of the Steep
Falls church, invited the conference to
meet there for its next session. The in
vitation was referred 10 the executive
COMMITTEES
During the temporary absence of the
clerk MIR. L. +. Small was made assis-
tant clerk.
A met ting OF the executive committee
was called for Thursday in the pastors
room, vestry. at one O'Clock.
AT the conclusion OF the morning bust
ness session the sermon was preached by
the Rev. II. A. Ohilds of Gray. The
sermon was prefaced by IA service Of song,
prayer and scriptural reading. M. Childs
took for his text the interview OF Christ
with Nicodemus as recorded by the
Apostle John, aud dwelt upon the
Saviour in his ch aracter as Teacher sent
by the Father. The discourse was couched
in scholarly and felioitious language, and
deliv ered with grace and fire. The preach
er insisted that the teacher was greater
than the truth he taught. His teachings
today are more wide spread than in any
previous year of the worlds history.
Just before the sermon Mr. Malvern an
nounced the sad intelligence of the death
of the Rev. Il. W. Porter OF Peabody,
Mass one of the most venerable, beloved
and influential pastors in the denomina-
tlon.
AFTERNOON SESS ION.
The afternoon session began with a
meeting of prayer, praise and song, con
Quoted by Mr.. c. W. Rogers. Then
hearing was given TO the Woman's Mis-
sionary society, Mrs. 4. c. Lewis of this
city, president. Hymns were sung and
sixth Isaiah read responsively. Prayer
was offered : Mrs Wing.
Owing to the illness OF the secretary
and treasurer, Mrs. o W. Fallam, her
report was read by Miss Skiliins 1t APP.
pears that receipts in contributions have
fallen off little during the quarter,
though membership has increased. The
form alton of current events clubs. to be