Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-06-20
Congregational Conference
Second Day at HallOWell

descent which they feared might come
from the North; but with the help of
Cromwelrs revolution in the old counn-
try and by reason of the Indian wars
at home we were, much to our advan-
tage, benevOlently assimulated by the
thrifty men Of Massachusetts,.
Education was Il leading part Of the
Puritan system. Next to the church
they placed the common school. The
town meeting was an outgrowth of the
CONGREGATIONAL church system, and the
churches Or meeting houses were COM
monty used for public gatherings. In
the absence of newspapers the Sunday
gatherings served for general exchange
of thought. The minister's text and SER
mon We're discussed. The general news
of the neighborhood was rehearsed and
home coming travellers told Of their
adventures by sea and land.
In the early days it was the churches
that kept the records of births and
deaths and marriages. We would know
little about the personal life of our an
cestcrs if it We're not for the church
records and the private journals of such
ministers as Smith and Dcane and
others in our State.
1t was to the churches also that we
are indebted for the establishment of
the academies, seminaries. colleges and
Institutions OF higher education in this
state.
These academy boys We're like
Dorian hives which sent out swarms of
influence and influential men and wO-
men. I1alloWcll was one of those old
classic towns as were also Machias,
BridStOn, SacO, Gcrham, Frycburg.
Hebron and others whose names will
readily suggest themselves. With the
coming OF the BaptistS. Mcthodists and
other denominations the work went on
upon the same lines and all the educa-
tion1l ana charitable institutions of
Maine leaned upon the strong shoulders
OF the churches for support. I'm this
most Important field all denominations
have done their share with hearty
emulation.
In III III" moral reforms Of the state
the churches haze taken the lead The
temperance reform was preached from
every pulpit and had the help OF minis
tiers and congregations. The general
sentiment in regard to the drink evil
was revoIutionzcd before the prohioi-
tory law was enacted.
From this idea Of giving to every one
tie fullest opportunity coupled with
the fullest responsibility have been de-
velOped those national traits Of self
reliance which we have come to con-
slider the characteristics Of typical
AmericaniSm. 1t may be that the idea
has been carried too far, but it has
been regarded as the principal new
world product.
1t is the ideal which, so far as we fol-
low it will give permanently to our in
situations and happiness 10 our peo-
pie. The attainment Of this ideal has
been and Stjll is the key note of church
influence and we must not make the
mistake of thinking that it is not now
one Of the greatest factors in our mod
crn and more complicated ciVilizat ton
Education is still the support of reli-
Gion. With broader views we find that
scientific faith takes the place of scien-
tiic doubt. The influence Of III, church
es upon the life and development of oar
State in the past is but an earnest Of
what they are to continue to do in the
future.