The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-01-14

al churches met at st. Lawrence street church
In this city at $50 yesterday morning. The at
tendance was good, the church being well fill
ed. The exercises opened by prayer meeting
very generally participated in. Attic conclus-
ion of the prayer meeting the organization was
effected-by the choice of Rev. 81. nsley of South
| Freeport as Moderator, and Rev. B. F. Leavitt
| of Portland as Scribe pro tenn.
| This is the 1O3d session of the body, and the
conference represents Al churches, SO ministers
and 5000 church members.
The devotional exercises of the morning were
opened by the reading of scripture and by
prayer by the Rev, l.. q. Ferris of Gorham.
A sermon was then preached by the Rev. A. P.
Tinker. of Auburn, who took as his text, Matt.
xxii-42-"What think We of Christ?'
The opinions of mankind respecting Jesus
may be classed under three heads: Some con-
slider him merely man of genius, like So
crates; some hold him to be subordinate div :
nifty some call BIN the supreme architect of the
world. However, there are but two opinions
substantially; the one tllat holds him to be
God; the one that holds him to be merely man.
A comparison of his words with those of all
other masters of literature shows that whereas
they made many mistakes he made none;
theirs appeal to part of the race. his to the
whole; theirs are but the words of men, his
those of God; their words may be accepted or
rejected and no penalty attaches, but the upon
regard paid bis words depends our salvation;
theirs are the words of pupils; his of master;
their words die and are dying; his live forever.
The comparison was continued and carried out
very finely. The speaker then compared the
motives of Christ with the motives of reform
ers They attempted to establish kingdoms, to
found systems of thought he strove regardless
of self, to save the race. He began at the bot
tom of society, they labored with the cultured
he succeeded, they failed. He revolutionized the
world, their scenes are outgrown or forgotten.
His intense personality differentiates him from
them. Back of his works and words stands his
presence Through all the centuries men have
died for him.. Who are the men who have died
for Zoroaster, for Socrates, for Compile? All
these are the works of God, not of man.
What think We of Him? Of his peculiar words,
o. his peculiar ways, of his peculiar success?
Aside from these are the miracles which rise up
like great fortress in the argumentative path
Of the infidel; but of these the preacher said he
did not propose to speak at present.
At the conclusion of the sermon Revs. j. j.
Abbott and L. Goodrich and Deacon Washing
ton Ryan were constituted a committee on
nominations. The Conference then adjourned
to the afternoon.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Conference net at Las A brief season
was spent in devotional services, after which
committee to whom was referred the motion to
divide Cumberland County Conference, report
ed through its chairman, Rev. s. L. Bowler of
Westbrook. This Conference is very large,
more than twice the size of any other confer
ence in the State, and embraces about 5000
church members and Al churches. The report
was recommitted to the same committee with
instructions to report after extensive con-
sultation at the meeting in June.
AT q o'clock the question allow shall the
ministry meet the duty resting upon it of in
structing the people in the word was opened
for discussion by Rev. Mr.. Byington of Bruns-
wick, who thought if the ministry are to in
struct they must study as well as pray. The
people are interested by expository preaching
when ably DONE He would connect the S1n-
day School with it,. Let the pastor also give
some time to aid the teachers in their work. 1t
will help all our preaching by bringing it near
er the fountain head, the word of God. He
was followed by Rev. Mr.. Blanchard of Cum
berland Mills, who thought the pastor should be
the intellectual, teaching head of the Sabbath
School and should secure a more intelligent in.
depreciation of the Bible in the general mind.
Others followed with brief remarks
After prayer the Conference proceeded to the
discussion of the Responsibility of churches
and individual Christians with regard to stran-
gers, particularly young men and women COM
ing into our cities and towns How shall it be
met?' The first speaker was Rev. B. f. Leav-
lit of Portland, 1t was clearly shown that there
are great needs in this direction. but the way to
meet it was not SO cleaer. The next speaker
was Rev. Mr.. Bowler of Westbrook, who al
luded to his experiments of districting the re-
gion and appointing agents in each district to
seek out these classes and invite them to join
the church. There is more gospel in good
warm shake of the hand than in many SER
mon. Rev. Mr.. Dunn's church in Boston was
referred to. 1t was found impsssible for a man
to escape the committees, who greeted him and
took his name and residence. Messr $.
Smith, ByingtOn, Joslyn, Goodrich and Harlow
also made remarks.
The next question taken up was s'What con-
stitutes a faithful Sabbath School teacher?' 1t
was opened by Rev. MI. Abbott of Yarmouth. He
thought the requisite was faithfulness to Christ
and to his truth. Be truthful to the interests
Of immortal souls. Strive to produce the image
of Christi ia them, A truthful teacher must be
a deeply pious person and be ready to teach any
one of whatever age or rank. A grateful
teacher is faithful student of truth and adap-
tatlons. He was followed by Rev. Mr.. Harlow,
and then the Conference adjourned to evening
to listen to discourse from Mr.. Hincks.
EVENING SESSION.
Rev. E. Y. Hincks preached sermon from
John xii %, 29.-The theme of the discourse
was "The infdelity of the present day and how
to meet it," The discourse was very able and
was warmly received The house was crowded to
repletion.
The Conference adjourned to $50 this morn
ing. at which time prayer meeting will be
held. The business meeting opens at 9 80.
ANNUAL MEETNGs-Several annual meetings