Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-15
Kennebec UniversaIist Association.


| EENOND DA1s
Shortly after 9 o'clock A. NJ, conferenc,
meeting was opened, and led by Rev. c. p. Nash
The exercises consisted of prayer, singing, and in
teresting and feeling remarks by gate a numbe
of ladies and gentlemen. The subject of discus
sion was, The Use and Abuse Of the Conference
| Meeting" All the speakers were in favor Of sucl
meetings, and the abuse was hardly touched upon
| Mr.. Nash introduced the subject and called up
Oh all to express their feelings and objections in
| regard 10 the conference meeting, &c. Each
minister, almost as unit, was in favor of them.
| Rev. Mr.. Dearborn said there had been a revo
| luton in his mind in regard to such meetings
| lie at first opposed them, but now favored them
| They are mutually helpful, and offer the hes
means whereby the pastor can counsel and advise
his people. for through what is said in these meet
| ings he finds out their wants. Success was moi
| measured by the number of speakers, neither by
their loudness, the songs which are sung
When people should attend them merely through
| sense of duty he should then oppose them. Ii
conducting the conference meeting here he had
met with good success as anywhere he had known
| them.
| Rev. Mr.. Bosserman testified to the great use OF
the conference meeting, saving that we there re-
ceive help from what others say. The pastor
learns the wants of his people, aud can minister
| to them from the pulpit. This is MOI place for
|
| other to a realization of great truth.
| Rev. MIR. Munson spoke Of the success he had
met with in the conference meetings held by him
| in Skowhegan. Unless such meetings could be
sustained in his parish he would not remain there
| Kew. Mr.. burlington also spoke of the uselul-
ness of such meetings, saying they promote and
extend christianity, form habits OF devotion, and
| call attention 10 our hearts.
| Ii was voted that a committee OF three be ap-
pointed to arrange a series OF conference meetings
| IN hp tod hp xuttb ~
of the kennebec Assoc alton. Rev. III. {. Mum
son, Rev. w. ii. Dearborn, and Dr. Geo. NJ
| Twitchell of Fairfield, were appointed such a
| committee.
After the conference meeting, the services were
| continued by al interesting discourse from Rev.
{. p. Nash of Lewiston. \ chapter from the b.
bic having been read, and prayer offered by Rev.
Mr. Bosserman of Winthrop, the speaker an-
nouLced as his text, The fear of the Lord, is the
beginning of WISDOM" III psalm, 10Th verse.
After speaking Of the frequency with which the
thought expressed in the text is found in the old
and new testaments, the preacher said it was
found interpreted in three ways by as many
classes of persons. The hyst-class take the ieal
expressed in the sense of being afraid, and theil
mind IS always filled with fear of God. and death
is looked upon as a hideous horror. The second
class are afraid lest they may offend God and
cause him to withhold his blessings. The thirt
class come between the other two, Tney ale in
different whether they please or dl,pltase. They
have no fear.
True fcsr consists in loving God, and hating
evil; in castng ont fear aud welcoming love
Man should not fear God 10 cowaldy way As bt
would an enemy, nor in a guilty manner as h'
would dread meeting one who has been OFFENDED
by him, neither in a slavi5h way, rs the slave ea
his master But God should be confded in an,
trusted, and feared as a Just jude lie should b.
regarded with the fear which the Guild mas for 1t
. parents IN short with that fear which recognize
the richness of His commands.
! AFTERNOON.
About 30 Z. NJ, a conference meeting wa
held The question, "Denomuational Needs
; was introduced and spoken upon by Rev. Nj
: lfodgdon.
A committee was chosen to inqniIe into the con
diion of societies within the Association, and re
port next year.
! Also committee composed OF all the clergy
, men within the Association, and five laymen Il
} adopt resolutions of sympathy with Rev Dr.
Qainby in his loss by the late fire.
A vote of thanks to the people of Augusta 70
their hospitality was moved and adopted.
Adjourned.
AT 230 the Association listened to clear
l sound and logical discourse by Rev Mr.. Bosser
man of Winthrop. The text was from St. Luke
| 18th chap, 10Th and 2lst verses The kingdom
' of God cometh not with observation; Deithe
shall they say, 10 here, Or 10 there Tor, behold
the kingdom OF God is within YOU"
Kingdom of God here, means the reign o
} Christ, and contrary to the ideas Of the Phsrise,
it came not with show, but almost imperceptibly
and with great beauty 1t came TO all, to tn
poor and the broken hearted. The world did no
discern il, because it came not as the world woul,
, have it come, and lis coming was with great re
suits.
As the kingdom Of God came silently, and con
tnued to come in Chrst's time, it is comm!
now in the same way, and working silently in tn
hearts of the people, and will continue to advance
till all are filled
The heart is our heaven, and ii is there Go,
builds on his foundation. AS these silen
changes in the heart or within have come about
so have they come about in the outward, and are
manifested in the advance of nations to greatness
and in the Improvements 10 the arts and sciences
And as there is outward greatness in this world
so shall it be in the future, but the foundation
stones in the heart. At the return of prodl
gals, finding Of long lost loved ones. and increase,
capacity for enjoyment, how glorious will be thu
coming of Gods kingdom in heaven
But the great question now is, has Gods king
dom come TO our hearts, and is it exemplifed Their
in our lives Not in selfshness and envy, causin!
strife and contention; but in love. peace and joy
causing spread of truth and justice. How impor
tant that we work for the coming of God in gu
hearts.