Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-05-30
37TH CONVENTION
FRENCH BAPTIST
CHURCH Opens

The 37th annual convention of the
French Baptist churches of New
England was opened in this city yes
terday morning at the Second Baptist
church with an attendance of about
80 delegates. Practically all of the
eight churches of the conference
are represented and there are dele
gates, present from many places
where there are no churches.
At the morning session the fol-
lowing committees were appointed.
On nominations, G. Defforges of Lo-
wei, Mass, Alfred Deigneau of Salem.
Mass, ana Mrs. Auguste Bocquel of
Waterville; to choose the place of
the next convention, Edward Revel
of Woonsocket, r. T., Miss Mary
Beaulieu Of Lowell. Mass, and ]. r.
LaFleur of Waterville: on resolu-
tions, Pasteur o. Brouillette of Sa-
lem, Mass, H. Pascal of Woonsocket,
and Samuel Delattre of New Bed
ford, Mass.
the morning session was opened
by the president of the conference,
Pasteur f. A. Perron and the visit
ing delegates were welcomed to Wat
erville by Rev. Auguste Bocquel,
pastor of the Second Baptist church
of this city.
In the report of the churches of
the conference it was brought out
that they were all in a sound finan-
cial condition and many signs of
growth were noted over past years.
Although no new churches have
been added to the conference a new
minister, Rev. Samuel Delattre of
New Bedford, Mass, has recently
come to this country from France
and has become a member of the
conference. Mr.. Delattre has served
two years in the French army when
the World War broke out and he
was on active duty during the entire
war and he was confined to a prison
camp for several months after the
signing of the armistice He has
studied at the Universities of &C.
neva and Berlin and comes to his
new work admirably equipped both
mentally and spiritually.
Brief religious exercises were con-
Quoted at the opening of the session
by Rev. o. Brouillette of Salem,
Mass. A letter was read from Rev.
Isaac LaFleur of Worcester, Mass,
expressing his regrets at not being
able to be present and wishing the
members of the conference a prosper
Gus and happy convention. Mr.. La
F1eur was the pastor of the Second
Baptist church about ten pears ago
and he has many friends in Water
vile. A very welcome guest at the
convention was M. A. Ledger of
Lynn, Mass. a brother of the late
Rev. Euseb Ledger who was the first
pastor of the local church many
years ago.
The principal speaker at the af-
ternoon session was Rev. Benjamin
Beatty, pastor of the Getchell street
Baptist church of this city, whose
splendid address profoundly i'm
pressed his audience. The general
trend of Mr.. Beatty's address was
the great religious revival of the
present and he traced it's growth in
a most interesting manner.
1t was announced that the Home
Missionary Society is taking a keen
er interest in the work of the
French churches and 1T is looking
for greater things in the future.
1t was voted that the convention
go on record as in favor of the en-
gaging of a colporter evangelist
whose salary will be paid jointly by
the American Baptist Home Mission
airy Society and the conference. The
work of the evangelist would be
confined to New England.
Musical solos by Mrs. James Ewing
of Winslow were a feature of the
dav sessions.
The evening session was opened
at 7.30 o'clock with spirited song
service. The speakers were Rev. Il.
H. r. Hass, pastor of the Free Bap-
+,e+ ,bur,1, of yVateryilIh who spoke
on "Condition and and Reality" and
DR.. I. B. Mower. secretary OF the
Maine Baptist convention. who took
for his subject, Great Promises and
Their Fulfillment."
A orartet made ND of Mrs. Ewing,
Mrs. Walter blanchard. M. nj, Davis
and 7. r.. Iafleur sang a number of
pleasing selections.
The convention will close about
noon TODAY and the concluding SEES
sion will be devoted to the election
of officers for next year, and any
other business.