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MINUTES OF 1881.

The Fifty-Fifth Annual Meeting of the GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES IN MAINE, was held with the Williston Church, Portland, commencing on Tuesday morning, June 14, at 9 o'clock.

The MODERATOR, William E. Gould, Esq., of Portland, in the chairwho read the one hundred and twenty-second Psalm. United in singing Hymn 329. "Hymns and Songs of Praise.""

"All hail the power of Jesus name." (Coronation.)

Rev. Woodbury S. Kimball of Aroostook Conference, and Rev. Cyrus W. Wallace D. D. of New Hampshire, led in prayer.

A season of devotional exercises followed; participated in by Revs. P. B. Thayer, of Garland; Wm. S. Thompson, Acton; Addison Blanchard, St. John N. B.; Charles H. Pope, Thomaston; Charles Davison, Greenville; Alfred E. Ives, Castine; and others.

Sung. Hymn 245,-"When I survey the wondrous Cross." (Federal St.) 393, "Lord, I have made thy word my choice (Balerma.) 1346, (1.) “Lord, when thou my righteous Judge shall come." (Merivale.) (2.) “Lord, I love to meet among them now."

The credentials of Delegates and members were called for.

Eben W. Woodbury, of Bethel, Prentiss Loring, of Portland, and Rev. John P. Trowbridge of Standish, were appointed to receive them. and report.

The Constitution and Rules of Conference, were read.

DELEGATES.

LOCAL CONFERENCES REPRESENTED.

AROOSTOOK.

Rev. Woodbury S. Kimball, Presque Isle. Rev. John B. Wheelwright. Ft. Fairfield.

CUMBERLAND.

Rev. Charles A. Dickinson, Portland. Dea. John E. Warren, Cumberland Mills.
Rev. Luther Wiswall, Windham. Stephen Hinckley, Gorham.
Rev. John P. Trowbridge, Standish. Prentiss Loring, Portland.

CUMBERLAND NORTH.

Rev. Francis D. Kelsey, N. Gloucester. Rev. Anson P. Tinker, Auburn.
Rev. Preston B. Wing, Freeport.

Isaac A. Denison, Mechanic Falls.

Rev. Edmond C. Ingalls, South Paris. Hon. Eben W. Woodbury, Bethel. Rev. Alexander Wiswall, Norway. Dea. Timothy H. Chapman, Bethel.

Rev. B. Tappan, D. D. Norridgewock. Dr. Mortimer Bodwell, Solon.
Rev. Richard M. Peacock, Solon.

MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES.—Revs. Jonathan E. Adams, Bangor; Edward E. Bacon. Saccarappa; Merrill Blanchard, Winterport; Frank E. Clark, Portland; Wellington R. Cross, Camden; George S. Dickerman, Lewiston; Charles A. Dickinson, Portland; William H. Fenn, Portland; John O. Fiske. D. D. Bath; David Garland, Bethel; Lewis Goodrich, Lovell; Edwin A. Harlow, Cape Elizabeth; Edward Y. Hincks, Portland; Henry S. Huntington, Gorham; Edmond C. Ingalls, South Paris; George W. Kelley, Eastport; Woodbury S. Kimball, Presque Isle; Benjamin B. Merrill. Searsport; William A. Merrill, Lyman; Thomas G. Mitchell, Madison; Albert W. Moore, Farmington; William F. Obear, Winthrop; Levi L. Paine, D.D. Bangor; Trueman S. Perry, Cumberland: Charles H. Pope, Thomaston; Amos Redlon, Hallowell; Osgood W. Rogers. Bridgton; Charles J. H. Ropes, Ellsworth; John S. Sewall, D. d. Bangor; Ezra N. Smith, Waterville; Benjamin P. Snow. Alfred; Benjamin Tappan, D. D. Norridgewock; Anson P. Tinker, Auburn; Peter B. Thayer, Garland; James Torrey, D. D. Yarmouth; John P. Trowbridge, Standish; Israel P. Warren, D. D. Portland; John B. Wheelwright, Fort Fairfield; Charles Whittier. Dennysville; Richard Wickett, Pownal; George H. Wilson, Biddeford; Webster Woodbury, Gardiner; Messrs, George B. Barrows, Fryeburg; Elnathan F. Duren, Bangor; Cullen C. Chapman, Portland; John L. Crosby, Bangor; Grenville T. Fletcher, Augusta; William E. Gould, Portland; Stephen Hinckley, Gorham; Prentiss Loring, Portland; Alfred L. Skinner, Bucksport ; George A. Thatcher, Bangor; John H. True, Portland; John E. Warren, Cum- . berland Mills; Joseph S. Wheelwright, Bangor; Eben W. Woodbury, Bethel; Rolliston Woodbury, Castine; Mrs. William H. Fenn, Portland.

MINISTER OF THE PLACE.-Rev. Frank E. Clark, Williston church, Portland. PREACHER.-Rev. William P. Fisher, of Brunswick.

DELEGATES WHO FULFILLED THEIR APPOINTMENTS. Revs. John O. Fiske. D. D.. Bath; Frank E. Clark, Portland; George S. Dickerman. Lewiston; Dea. William E. Gould, Portland; Hon. George B. Barrows, Fryeburg, to the fourth annual session of the National Council, at St. Louis, Nov. 11, 1880.

Rev. Abiel H. Wright, Portland, to the Maine Methodist Conference, Portland. April, 27, 1881.

Rev. Clarence S. Sargent, Brewer Village, to the East Maine Methodist Conference, Belfast, May, 1, 1881.

Rev. Henry F. Harding, Hallowell, to the Yearly meeting of friends for New England, at Portland. June 14, 1881.

REPRESENTATIVES.

BANGOR THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.-Revs. Professors Levi L. Paine, D. D.. John S. Sewall, D. D., Louis F. Stearns, and Rev. Francis B. Denio.

BOWDOIN COLLEGE, BRUNSWICK.-President, Joshua L. Chamberlain, LL. D. Professor Henry L. Chapman, A. M.

HALLOWELL CLASSICAL SCHOOL, AND SCIENTIFIC ACADEMY.-Rev. Almon W. Burr, A. M. Principal; Rev. Henry F. Harding, Secretary; Rev. Amos Redlon. Financial Agent.

BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS.

Rev. Charles W. Park, of the Mahratta Mission, Bombay, India.-American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

George Allchin, Boston.—Under appointment by Am. Bd. of C. F. M., to Japan. Rev. Albert E. Dunning, Boston.-S. S. Secretary, Congregational Publishing Society.

Rev. Francis Southworth, Portland.-Seaman's Friend Society.

DELEGATES FROM OTHER BODIES.

Rev. D. W. L'Lacheur, of Portland, Maine Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Eli Jones, of China, Maine, and Harriet D. Collins, of Hopkington, Rhode Island, Yearly meeting of Friends for New England.

VACANCIES IN COMMITTEE OF NOMINATIONS.

Rev. T. S. Perry of North Cumberland Conference, and Rev. Charles H. Pope, of Lincoln and Sagadahoc Conference, were appointed to take the place of two, whose term of office expires.

REPORT OF DELEGATES.

Rev. Clarence S. Sargent of Brewer Village, reported his attendance at the meeting of the East Maine Methodist Conference at Belfast.

Rev. Frank E. Clark of Portland, and the Moderator, reported their attendance at the fourth annnal meeting of the National Council, in St. Louis, Nov. 1880.

Rev. Henry F. Harding of Hallowell, reported at a subsequent session, his cordial and enthusiastic reception by the Yearly meeting of Friends for New England.

Rev. Wm. H. Fenn of Portland, Delegate to the Maine Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, reported by letter subsequently, that he was in New York, at the time of their meeting in Portland, and notified the substitute, Rev. John F. Morgan of Portland. Mr. Morgan reported that he presented his credentials, and was present three days, but had no opportunity to address the Conference. He was not able to attend again, and on the last day, Rev. Abiel H. Wright of Portland being present, gave the salutations of the General Conference of the Congregational Churches.

Rev. Charles A. White of Hallowell, delegate to the Maine Baptist Convention. learns that their session for this year is to be held at Skowhegan, next October. Rev. A. P. Tinker of Auburn, reports that he was out of the country, and could not fufill his appointment as Delegate to the Free Baptist Yearly meeting. Rev. S. P. Fay was present at the meeting of the Free Baptist Yearly meeting, at Bangor, in August 1880, and presented the salutations of this Conference.

Rev. Jehiel S. Richards of Waterford, reports that he was present at the F. W. B. Yearly meeting in Dexter, tendered the greetings of the General Conference, and received a hearty welcome from them.

CO-OPERATION IN MISSION WORK IN MAINE.

Rev. Francis Southworth, of Portland, and Rev. Benjamin Tappan, of Norridgewock, of the committee appointed at the last Conference, (Minutes, 1879, p. 23, and Minutes 1880, p. 9,) to seek the co-operation of the Missionary societies of other denominations in reference to fields of labor. Reported in part, and would at another session report more fully. Rev. Francis Southworth. in behalf of the Committee, subsequently reported, that some progress had been made in reference to the subject, and that another meeting of the Committees of the different denominations was to be held, for further consultation.

On motion of Rev. Henry F. Harding of Hallowell, the subject was re-committed to the same committee,-Revs. Francis Southworth, Jonathan E. Adams and Benjamin Tappan D. D.

DIVORCE.

The Moderator in behalf of the Officers of this Conference, who were appointed (Minutes 1880, p. 20,) to consider this subject, reported their action; and that the memorial to the Legislature, which they had prepared and signed, was presented, but that no change in the laws, or any action by that body asked for by various petitioners, was sustained. The matter was indefinitely postponed by them.

Rev. George S. Dickerman of Lewiston, who with others had appeared before the Judiciary Committee of the Legislature, appealing for more stringent laws in reference to divorce, at a subsequent session, spoke with great force on the indifference which was manifested in reference to this subject. So far as he knew, not a single protest had been made to petitioners for divorce, on the ground that it was contrary to the divine law. No one man should have the power to grant a divorce for the multitude of causes which are now-a-days alleged,-ignoring the divine law, which has supremacy above every other law."What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

On motion of Rev. F. Southworth, Portland, a committee of three were appointed to consider farther this subject, and do what may be wisely attempted, to modify the existing Statutes, and report at the next Conference,