Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-06-13
A Probable State Convention.
UNIvERsALIsTs OF MAINE MEET IN AN
NUAL SESSION AT NORWAY.

i ~ 10 uOt poku8po iucOrf6Ct 10 e8y tuo
the keynote of the Universslist stat,
convention held with the Norway church
last week was the evidence Of . growing
spirit Of evangelism. The topic Of evan
gelism received considerable direct at
tention, and kept cropping out through
ough the lively and earnest discussions
of other subjects at the business ses
sions. -4s SzF;e.T{ ~
While not the largest convention
! which the denomination has held In the
state, this convention is ranked IS ont
of the best, and in numbers it was mol
far behind some Of those held In large,
places. The number of delegates bear
ing credentials was l02, which IL only
seven less than at the convention In An
burn last year. There were In at.
tendance twenty-nine ministers of the
denomination In Maine, and two visiting
ministers, the general superintendent
and the national president of the denom-
inatIon, and total registration of visit
ors of about It's.
Just fifty years ago the state conven.
tion was held In this Norway church,
and there was present at this session
Mrs. Pierce of Belfast, who was dele
gate to the convention half century
ago, and who came by automobile lit
miles to attend this convention. At the
Wednesday evening session Mrs. Pierce
was introduced to the audience, and
spoke few words Of greeting.
The visitors were entertained on the
Harvard plan, dinners and suppers being
served in the vestry for the several days.
Monday evening the convention ses-
sions opened with q platform meeting,
at which Rev. Asa NJ. Bradley, the state
superintendent of Universalist churches,
presided. Following the devotional SER
vice an address was to have been given
by A. j. Merrill Of Bangor. As he was
not able to be present, Rev. D. A. Ball of
West Paris was impressed, and occupied
few minutes showing sample posters
which he had used in announcing his
church services in his campaign of evan
gelism since the first of January. he
believes in advertising the church, and
said whether from the attractiveness of
the advertising or whatever cause, the
attendance at his church had increased
twenty five per cent.
Rev. w. 81. McGlsuflin, D. D., general
of Universalist churches
10 A America, gave the principal address
of the evening, on the subject. "Denomi-
Preparedness. Dr.. McGlauflin
is an earnest and eloquent speaker, with
an abundant and useful sense of humor.
His talk was ip general plea for an in
tensive and demonstrativs Universalism.
Atthe business session of Tuesday fore
81 a ID oe rvsp
by Rev. Chester Gore Miller, the pastor
Of the Norway church, and the response
was by Hon. Geo. E. Fogg of Portland,
the president of the convention. In CIV
ing his annual address Mr.. Fogg devoted
time to consideration of
The struggle in Europe and It's relation
TO the cause of Christianity. In spite of
The many discouraging things about the
situation, he finds hope for good to come
,ut Of the evil.
Official reports were presented, show
ng no marked changes in the condition
Of the denomination. The report of the
committee tn evangelism, presented by
Rev. j. F. Albion, D. D., of Portland,
aid special stress upon the Sunday
school as factor in building up the
church.
Greetings from associated and kindred
were presented: Maine
Jniversalist Sunday School Association
oy Rev. A. A. Blair; WestbroOk Semi
nary by Principal Quimby and Miss
preceptress; the Universalist
Publishing House by Mr.. Nash, the gen
,ral agent; Ferry Beach Park Associa.
ion by the president, Rev. F. c. Lem
pg; and the Maine Bible Society by E.
+. Garland, the secretary.