Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-06-11

North Arson. Me-, June lo.-(Spe-
ciaD.-The second annual meeting OF
the Somerset Association of Congre-
gational churches and ministers,
equivalent to the 91st annual confer
ence was held Tuesday in the Con-
gregational church at North Anson'
and the following officers were elect
ed: Moderator, Rev. T. H. Wilson,
skowhegan; vice moderator, Rev. X.
l.. Sheaff, Norridgewock; scribe and
treasurer. Rev. T. B. HAITI Bingham'
executive committee the above Off
GERS and Z. E. Harris, Skowhegan,
and Guy F. Williams, Scion; mission
airy committee, Rev. F. II. Means,
Madison; F. H. Colby, Bingham; Miss
Hannah r. Page, Skowhegan, and
Miss Hattie Longley, Norridgewock;
special committee on emergency and
equalizing legacy fund, E. E. Harris,
Skowhegan; F. H, Colby, Bingham;
c. w. Rogers, North Arson; Rev. r.
L. Sheaff, Norridgewock.
The rports from the various dele
gates were encouraging in regard to
the work and standing of the church
es There has been a total loss of IL
in the county in the past year. A new
pastor has come to North New Port
land The Skowhegan church has add
ed nine and lost nine, three becoming
members by letter and six by confess
sion The North Arson church edi-
flee has undergone repairs, new fur-
mace having been added and men are
at work at present re-decorating and
re-painting. A new pastor, Rev. X. l..
Sheaff, has come to Norridgewock.
The total membership of the church
es in the association is 1853 Skowhegan
237; North Arson "a; Bingham 81; Car
atunk 203; North New Portland "a;
Norridgewock Sc; Scion 43; The Forks
H. Madison shows a gain of eight
members.
The program opened at 9.15 A. M.
with devotional service, followed by
the address of welcome by Rev. G.
w. Rogers, the business man and min
lister. f. O. Taylor of Bingham gave
an address on Sunday School Work
in the Districts Without Churches"
and this was followed by an address
on the Work of the Rural Church
by Rev. C. F. Robinson.
An address of far reaching import
ance was delivered by Rev. t. II.
Wilson, pastor of the Skowhegan Con-
gregational church. THE Future of
Congregationalism' was his subject
and he pointed out that the future
of Congregationalism in Maine de-
pended upon the amount of work In
the more remote districts. He advocat-
ed house cleaning of the churches and
improving the Christian standards
with reference to the matter of TAX
ing in new members. A marked ex-
ample of what is needed in the rural
districts is being shown by Mr.. Will
son. He has begun a series of meet
ings to be held in the various school
houses and churches in the vicinity
of Skowhegan and his success has
been pronounced though the plan is
new. There has been good attend
ance at every place where services
have been held, though prior to this
services were far between. He showed
that the Catholics had doubled in
Somerset county since 1880.
The Congregational church Is sec
ond in New Hampshire, Vermont,
Massachusetts and Connecticut and
third in Maine. Catholics are first in
membership in every New England
state The Baptists are second in
Maine. He said that the new organ
ization instituted at the Conference
~ Kansaa City and adopted at the