On motion of Mr. Gerrish, Standing Rule No. 3 was rescinded. It was Ordered, That at the conclusion of Divine Services to-morrow, the Association stand adjourned to Portland, the third Saturday in October, 1872, as by previous vote. After the reading of the Minutes, the Association adjourned. Incidental Meetings connected with the Association. On Friday, at 4 P.M., Rev. G. F. Stearns conducted Divine Service, and preached from Ps. lxxxix. 48. In the evening, a social meeting was held at the house of Mr. J. S. Elliot. Saturday, at 4 P.M., Rev. G. F. Stearns again preached from Gen. ii. 17, John vi. 53, 54, and Rev. ii. 7. In the evening, a public meeting was held in the Temple, and remarks were made by Revs. S. F. Dike, W. B. Hayden, G. F. Stearns, and Dr. I. H. Stearns and Oliver Gerrish, Esq., on the "State of the Church, and Signs of the Times." On Sunday, Rev. W. B. Hayden preached in the morning, and lectured in the evening. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered in the afternoon to seventy-two communicants. S. F. DIKE, President. cash paid for books Maine Association in account with Oliver Gerrish:- 1870. Aug. 12. To cash paid Rev. G. F. Stearns cash paid for travelling and other expenses 42 55 10 87 50 00 cash paid Rev. G. F. Stearns 100 00 36 39 The undersigned, having examined the account of the Treasurer, finds the same to be correct, and properly vouched. J. B. SWANTON, Auditor. DOCUMENT No. 2. — Missionary's Report. During the year past I have delivered one hundred and forty-five discourses, attended two funerals, and assisted at one other, officiated at one marriage, administered the Sacrament of Baptism to two adults and five children, and the Holy Supper twice - all in Maine. Of these, forty discourses and five baptisms were in Richmond. Fourteen discourses, one baptism, one marriage, two administrations of the Holy Supper, and one funeral, were in Gardiner. Sixteen discourses were in Dresden; eleven in North Vassalboro'; nine in Leeds; seven, and one funeral, were in Bangor; six at Pride's Corner; five at each of the following places, namely: Monmouth, Bridgton, and Palermo; four each at Vassalboro' and Hallowell; three each at Saccarappa and Mt. Vernon; two each at Portland and the National Military Asylum in Augusta; one at North Bridgton, and one at South China. (Five Sundays have been spent out of the State: one in Riverhead, N. Y., and one in Mansfield, Mass.; and four discourses, two in each place, were delivered. Three Sundays were in the service of the Brookline Society in Massachusetts; preaching three discourses, and administering the Lord's Supper once.) I have collected for the work seven hundred and three dollars and fiftythree cents ($703.53), as follows: The total expense of travel, stamps, etc., has been ninety dollars and twenty-two cents ($90.22) for the current year, making the missionary work, for thirteen months, cost the Association four hundred seventy dollars and fifty-two cents ($470.52). My account with the Association stands as follows: G. F. STEARNS, IN ACCOUNT WITH MAINE ASSOCIATION. The details of my work in the State having been given in the N. J. Messenger, it is not necessary to repeat them here. The general impression of the condition of the field, and its ripeness for New Church truths, is very clear, pleasant, and decided. The people in new places seem ready, and often eager, to hear preaching and lectures, and often say: "I don't see how anything can be clearer or better than that"; "I never heard those things explained before"; "I like such preaching as that," etc. And I am asked, "Can you not make another appointment here? On visiting places the second time I have been encouraged by finding some, whose interest was called out at the first visit, continuing interested, and to see evidences of progress and growth on the part of those previously interested in the Heavenly Doctrines. Looking over the ground, and seeing so much done already by the New Church friends in the State, in the comparatively unorganized and undisciplined condition of our forces, have we not reason to be thankful? and to trust that, by more systematic organized effort, and by an adoption of the plan, favorably regarded wherever tried, of regular giving, every Sunday, as a practical part of Divine Worship, an offering to the Lord by every friend of the Church in the State, the work will be still better sustained, and that not one missionary only, but many missionaries, may soon be usefully employed in this extensive field? RICHMOND, Me., Sept. 29, 1871. G. F. STEARNS, Missionary. DOCUMENT No. 3.- Report of the Missionary and Colportage Committee. Most of the information that would naturally form the bulk of this Report has already been given to the Association in the Reports of the Treasurer and Missionary, and therefore it is not necessary to repeat it here. The present position, and immediate prospective wants of the cause, are what now demand our attention. As is well known, our Missionary has been laboring for the past year at a compensation of $1,000. His services are well received in all parts of the State where he has been, and interest in the Church has steadily increased, and the contributions to the cause, through his work, have increased. He has performed the duties with zeal, efficiency, and success; and every appearance indicates the importance of continuing the work. If we retain our present Missionary, it will be necessary to afford him a slight increase of salary. He has a large and growing family, and his expenses consequently increase. He will need $1,200 the ensuing year, to place him in comfortable circumstances; and your Committee therefore recommend that they be authorized to employ him at that sum. DOCUMENT No. 4. Report of the Bath Society. This Society has enjoyed a reasonable degree of prosperity the past year. A year ago, at this time, we were using the Universalist Church in this city, so kindly loaned to us while our own Temple was undergoing repairs. That church we used more than four months. Early in the winter, about Christmas, we began to occupy the beautiful house where we are now assembled. It has been considerably enlarged, and the entire inside of the house has been renovated in fact, made entirely new. The changes and improvements have been highly satisfactory to the Society. The alterations and improvements cost a little less than $4,000. A portion of this yet remains unpaid; but, doubtless, the Society will be able in a year or two to pay the entire debt. Last January, the Society began to take an offering every Sabbath morning, at the close of the sermon, for the support of worship. This includes the regular pew taxes, payable in weekly instalments, and also any freewill offerings which may be made. This method of raising funds for the support of the Church has proved very satisfactory, as far as is known, to all the congregation. Persons find it easier to make proportional weekly payments, than quarterly or annual payments. It seems likely that a similar plan will be adopted by many, if not most, of the churches in the country, in perhaps a few years. It is the easiest, readiest, and most prompt and punctual method of supporting the Church. The offering also being made during the season of worship, it enters into, and constitutes a part of, worship. The tendency of the act is to lead young persons and other members of the congregation, as well as all communicants of the Church, to feel that it is a duty incumbent upon them to contribute something for the support of the Church. The command is, "Bring an offering, and come into IIis courts." Of course, in the higher sense, |