Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-12

Ruth, has worked with him. DR..
George II. Hamlen and Rev. s. A.
Evans have given unbroken service
through the year, as have Rev. +.
A. Davis and Rev. William Fletcher.
Mr.. Fletcher has again accepted the
tasks of field worker.
During the past five years we have
been committed to world pro-
gram. Inevitably this convention
| and It's board have been intimately
associated with the New World
Movement enterprise OF Baptlsts.
For the New World Movement has
at once reflected and projected tho
life and activities of our denomi-
nation. 1t has enlarged our vision.
1t has shown us the world need. 1t
has inventoried our resources. 1t
has given us a new UNCONVENTIONAL
consciousness. 1t has led us to
achievement and progress that make
the past five years the outstanding
period in the history of Northern
Baptists.
We have always regarded as our
primary convention task the aiding Of
churches in the support OF pastors.
During the year help has been given
directly to II churches. In some in
stances pastors receiving aid have
served two or more fields, so that
the number of churches profiting by
such aid has been larger than given
above. Some churches have come
to self-support during the year,
among them First Calais. Brunswick,
Perry ard East Winthrop. But 9TH
er beneficiary churches have been
added to this list.
The receipts OF the year have been
HlIf1frlnnf rrV mn s,.lr
the deficit of last year and close the
books with a credit balance. We
rave practiced strict economy, but
we have not been niggardly in our
appropriations. 1t is true that our
salary schedule is below that Of 9TH
er state conventions. We have been
glad to remit to our National So
cieties the largest amount possible,
and we rejoice that the burden OF
their debt has been lessened some
what during the year.
The report Of the treasurer will
show that our trust funds have been
considerably increased during tie
year.
The American Baptist Home Mis-
sion Society continues to share with
US In maintaining the French work
at Waterville, Rev. Auguste Bocquel,
pastor, and the Russian Polish work.
under the leadership of Rev. Filemon
Novitsky. The American Baptist
publication Society also co-operated
with us. paying fifty per cent of the
salary and. expenses of the director
of Religious Education, and ono
quarter OF the salary and one half
the expenses of the missionary COL
porter a
The list Of our Maine beneficiarIes
the Ministers and Missionaries
Renefit Board has grown to thirty
five, with other applications pending.
Ten of our Associations report a
gain in membership of 523, while
seven report loss of 1853, with a net
gain OF go. But the gains of four
teen Associations in resident menu
bership are 958, while the losses are
tut 22S, giving net gain in resident
members of 1885. -
Z Sunday school statistics are not
quite SO hopeful. Nine Associations
report an increase of 742. but eight
report losses of 912, a net loss of 1877.
This is not as 1t should be. It does
not harmonic with our Bigger
and Better" slogan. Incomplete
statistics no doubt account for this.
in part. The loss in some Associa-
lions we know Is apparent rather
than real. j..
Every Association reports bap- I.
'isms totalling 1883, as compared.
with 8S1 last year, an increase of
sol. OF the 401 churches or our roll
291 are supplied. Others have oc- q
services. ~
On the whole the year has been
the Of quickened interest amounting
to revival power in many places