Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-07-09
Union Conference.

The semi annual session of the Union
Conference of Congregational Churches
was held at South Bridston on Tuesday
and Wednesday, June 18th and 18th
The attendance was full, the churches in
AlbanJ, Bridgton, North Bridgton, South
Bridgton, Denmark. Harrison, Hiram,
Naples, Olisiield, Stowe Il Chatham,
Sweden, Waterford, and North Water
ford, being represented.
The conference WAS organized by the
choice of Mr. +. s. Perry, OF B,idgton,
Moderator, and Rev. A. Blanchard OF
SO. Bridgton, Scribe.
After devotional exercises the opening
sermon was preached 10y Rev. +. i.
Wilson OF Bridgton, from the words-Luke
l2:l1-"Aud he thought within himself. "
This sermon was an able aud Interesting
discussion OF The Importance and proper
cale OF our secret thoughts. The power
OF secret thoughts 10 a5,imiIato the entire
character to themselves, making II either
10" or lofty, vile or pure, hateful or iovo-
". according then own nature, was very
clearly sci forth and th, appropriate les
oons respcctin. the care Ol the thoughts
were cogently enforced.
At the commencement o. the afternoon
session various reports wcle made. 1t
appeared from that upon the state OF The
churches. that their number il now eX-
actly the came ~ two years since.
Emigration, like an unstaunched wound,
is constant draining the best blood
OF many of our rural churches; 40 that,
though frequent additions are made to
them, they can with difficulty keep up
their numbers. 70 do this, even, Is =
real aud substantial gain, since they are
constantly raising up aud sending out
noble men and women TO serve the good
cause clsew here.
The afternoon session was opened with
devotional exercises, led by Rev Mr..
Anderson OF Hiram, and was mainly de.
voted 10 the discussion of 1.-The Chris
lian Family, " in its various aspects and
relations. The discussion was opened
by Rev. MIR Sewell of Fryeburg, and
was freely participated in hy both clergy
men and lay men, being diversified by IRE
quent singing.
The evenlu. was devoted to n general
PRAYER and conference meeting OF all the
churches
On the morning OF the second day, an
early prayer meeting was held, conduct
ed By Rev Mr. Pierson OF Limington, in
the York Conference.
A general prayer and conference meet
ing was held at nine o'clock, which con-
tnucd halt an hour, and was followed
by the transaction of some business
when the discussion OF the previous after
noon was resumed, and continued with
increasing interest until the midday ad
lournmont. Among the remarks listen
ed TO with marked attention were those
Of Rev. Mr.. Merrill, of Andover, Mass.
During the forenoon session contribu.
ton of $40 was taken in aid of the
church in Hiram. now engaged in erect
leg q church ediiice.
The Conference Sermon was preached
in the afternoon by Rev. +. S. Tinglcy
of BrownGeld from the words-Eph.
3:l5-"Of whom the whole family in
heaven and earth is named" The whole
body of true believers in heaven and
upon the earth are ono family, deriving
their spiritual lie and name from THEN
great author and head, Christ This
thought was lilly and happily elaborated
and appropriate lessons doduced.
The Lords Supper was then cclebra-
ted, being administered by Rev. Messrs
Pierson of Limington and Lincoln of No
Bridgton.
A vote of thanks to The church and
people of South Brilgtou for their am
pie and cordial hospitality, moved by
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