The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-06-07
York Congregational Conference.

York Congregational Conference.
| A Visit TO Lebanon-The Congregational
| Gonference.-Deserted Farms. etc. etc.
The annual meeting of the York County Con-
gregational Conference met at Lebanon Centre
on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week-that
those were perfect June days your readers all
know; but the peculiar charms of the locality
are known only to those who have visited
the town. ST came up to the height OF the
mountain, to the sides of Lebanon not on the
wings of the morning, or by the dusty train, but
with humble equipage, leisurely enjoying the
varied prospect. The Sunday quiet of the lit
tie village was broken on Monday by the COM
ing in of the installing council, who Initiated
Rev. Mr.. Sinnot of Buxton, as member of the
York Conference, and as pastor of the church
in that place; the council also performed the
additional duty of formally dismissing Rev.
John Parsons, who very much to the regret Oh
! the entire parish was obliged to leave more
than year since on account of over exertion,
when a contagious disease took three fine chill
dren from his family. Mr. Parsons appears to
have recovered his health, and in the charge to
the Pastor, and in the conference discussions
his accust ,med huenoy and scholarly sentences
| attracted close attention. The installation SER
mon was by Rev. G. Ell. Gates of Kennebunk
port, and the right hand of fellowship by Rev.
Mr. futile, neighbor ing Free Baptist clergy
man. This ancient church as appears by the
record on exhibition there, was Incorporated in
June 1865 being now just one hundred and ten
years old, and in the first Lightweight years OF
its life had but four pastors-the first, Rev.
Isaac Hasey, commenced his labors at the age
of "a, devoting his life for forty-seven years to
their service, dying in 1872 at the age OF II, and
buried,
"There where few torn shrubs the place disclose,
The village preachers modest mansion rose.'
He was succeeded by Rev. Paul Jewett fol-
lowed by James Weston in 1874, and by JOS
eph Loring up to lo53-slnce TINS iast date NE
| changes in the pulpit have been numerous The
present house of worship was built in 1885, IS
| located upon the ''centre-road on The corner OF
| the highway leading south-westerly from SAN
| ford to Rochester, and opposite newly hnish-
| ed Town House. A well kept green, Dordered
| by eight beautiful rock-maple trees adorns the
! building, which is a shapable and convenient
! structure, with tower and good toned bell
| why the church was set back to the road, or
| why the two heating stoves were placed IN the
outside entry, we did not learn. The Prophet
| asks "will.a man leave the snow of Lebanon!
| with the snow and cold of last winter, and
| the fire in the entry, good man might be easi-
| " tempted to leave the house. Tuesday, the
| first day of the conference brought to the
| "cross roads" large representation OF strang-
| ers from adjoining towns, many of whom Tor
| the first time saw the glory OF Lebanon ana
| none will forget the ample accommodations
| furnished through most courteous committee;
even our horses will like the smell of Leba-
non,' The morning session was occupied by
formal business followed by a vigorous sermon
from Rev. j. ID. Emerson OF Biddeford on the
evidences of Christianity. The afternoon ses-
sion was commenced by devotional exercises,
led by Rev. j. N Lord, followed by a long apd
spirited discussion on FAITH the first remarks,
on the power of faith, being by, Rev. John Par
| ulty,'' was very ably treated by Rev. Mr.. Berry
| OF Sanford who was called out second time to
| finish his well prepared argument. What IS
the assurance of faith, was assigned to lev.
| MIR, Blanchard of Saco,
| At a yerv late hour the discussion was sus-
pended on the motion of a local brother, who
| plainly intmated the care necessary for the
| bovine beasts and equine animals; the sng-
| gestion having the evident sympathy OF the
| elderly ladies, who feared for the fragrance OF
| their over sleeping tea, and the color of their
| browning biscuit
( The early evening hour was improved by
| social prayer meeting and business session,
when the hinderapces to faith was spoken on
| by Mr.. u. B. Sewal of York.
| How shall we increase our own faith, was
| answered by Rev. Charles H. Yates OF kenpe-
| bunkport; aud as he is one of the men who
| particularly exemplify their faith by most
| abundant and resulting works. lis remarks
| came with earnest force.
| How shall we increase the faith of others
| by Mr. Pearson, closed the evening debate.
WEDNEsDAY.-Soporiic influence prevented
| a personal attendance at the i've O'Clock
prayer meeting. A business session at nine
| decided the October conference should be held
| in Saco and elected officers for the next three
| wears, viz: Dea. S. l.. Boynton of Biddetord,
Moderator, Rev. Mr. Pearson OF Lyman, Clerk
| and Rev. Mr. Thompson of Actor Reporter.
| The report in detail from the several parishes
was presented, by which it appeared the larg-
est accessions during the year were to the
| churches in Biddeford, Kennebunkport and
| Saco. The very small net increase exhi bited
| brought out a profitable discussion on the dy-
| ing out of the Congregational churches in
| Maine, which was opened by the moderator,
| who among other state ments, offset very
| mall arithmetical condition by so large state
sea-coast line as aStoniShed the nautical dele
| gate.
| sermon on personal conservation, by the
Scribe, from Heb Kill. How can the I'M
| converted be led to faith in Christ. was an
| swered by Rev. Mr. Pearson.
| How can our articles of Faith in the church
| covenant be improved? was assigned to MI
| Sewal of Limerick, who advocated more SIM
| pie creed, WIN less pHliOSOpHy, anu lcoo oApid-
| nations in the creed pronouncng the covenant
| as too sweeping and too solemn, particularly
| for the young. converts-cosiEg up by advising
| such articles in the covenant as we can reason
| bly, fulfil. No public reply was made to this,
| though some outside conversations were to the
| effect that the creeds of the fathers were suf-
| cient for their children;
| The last question, How can Christians best
| increase the faith of other Christians? was dis
4 cussed by Southworth OF Wells and Fales of
| Sanford, till the time for adjournment, when
| Col Shaw of the Christian Mirror was asked to
| 90 forward. He explained the present man
| agement. needs and advantages of bis journal,
| aud desired many new patrons. Adjourned till
| afternoon.
We were among those living some % miles
from the meeting aud obliged to forego the
| closing session, so leaving their hospltable
| homes and fertile fields, we wendell our way
| over the high hills, down across the poverty
| plains below Sanford villages TO our own homes
| The road side between the principal localities
| brought to mind the conference discussion on
| the dying out of country churches in Maine;
| the abandoned farms being noticeable between
Lebanon and Sanford, while between South
Sanford and KeDnebunk village we counted
| Ia forsaken cellars aud two vacant houses,
| without single new structure toward repair
ing the waste. Even the plains pines had a
| discouraged look, and the song birds had left
| their former haupts to locate, like the old pro-
prietors, on some more thriving territory.
At Home, June Sd. CARET.
|
FIRES IN THE WooDs AROUND BANGOR
| uor, ox,tonc;va wood fires ara raoino on the