Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-10-01
Baptist Missionary
Society to Hear
Favorable Report

Bangor, Me-, sept. 5o.-tSpeeldD.-
The 10th annual convention of the
Maine Baptist Missionary Society
opened in this city, Tuesday, with dele
gates from all parts of the State be-
ing present. Rev. l. b. Mower of
Waterville, corresponding secretary of
the society since its organization will
read the following report of the condi-
tons of the society at the morning ses-
sion, Wednesday. Oct l, the report
having been accepted by the directors
at the Tuesday evening meeting:
At the end of 10-year periods our
government makes an inventory of the
resources of the country. Your secre
tary is disposed to make such a re-
view of the decade just closing as his
term term of service covers such a
period.
Ten years ago we reported 24e
churches, with membership of POOLS
This year we report PAP churches with
membership of 21.144, loss of 4
churches, but gain in membership of
li2S. Our Sunday school membership
in 1903 was 1886. Last year. 1851,
WIN ploDdDit increase tUlS year,
Though complete statistics have not
yet been received.
In 1919, our accessions upon profess
| sion of faith and baptism were 455,
While in the year now closing We have
received 416 in this manner, but the
| average number for 10 years is 664
| the largest number in any one year
| being in 1910 when 1896 were thus
added
In 1903, there We're 147 Baptist minis
| ters residing in the State. Last year,
the number reported was 1884, Our
| churches contributed for State mission
| work, In 1903, s43S3.65, while their offer
inss for the same purpose, this year,
are S5941.S9. In 1903 our total beneyo-
lences We're $2s, 1866. Last year, they
| We're $31. 645.65, a gain of s517S.70. The
value of church property has advanced
from sl,ol3,S50 TO sl,S2s, 765, a gain in 10
Years of s3l4.915.
In 1904. the first year we have a
record of the number of parsonages,
u wer reported. Now 116 parsonages
properties are owned by the churches.
| q gain of % in 10 years.
We have granted aid the past year
| TO lo2 churches and missions. amount
| ing to SS32564.
Our mission force has been increas ed
from three in 1908, to eight the past
year, and the cost of their support has
advanced from $2762 to 54O7. These
men as missionaries, missionary-pas-
tors and evangelists have done a. work
that can not he tabulated. They have
touched the sources that nourish all
the streams of our denominational life
and contributed to the strength of our
work in many ways.
Inc entire holdings of our conyen-
tor, in 1903, including real estate. were
slol'2of.64. This year. the treasurer re-
ports The gross sum of convention
funds as 1894, 530.22, this is an increa SO
of $lo3, 325.5S in 10 years, and comes
largely from the Ford estate.
The year closing has been one of
progress, the Penobscot Association of
churches alone reporting 12O accessions
by baptism, with a net increase in
membership of a. The wise provision
OF generous friends has brought to the
convention treasury trust funds for
sustaining the work OF the smaller
ehurches. We greatly appreciate the
devotion of these friends who have
gone from us.
we are Siad to announce that Rev.
marry Taylor has been secured as
tate Evangelist, his services to bes;,
oct /. 1t is expected that the women
OF our churches will assume the OK
penSe of a State worker.