The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-06-16

by Parson Moody. Since his death the settle
ments of Congregational ministers have beer
more or less very much shortened and tempora
ry, and no descendant of any of these numer
Gus pastors, except Mr.. Hovey and Mr., Moody
| now resides in the town. The first parish was
| divided in 1888, which brings this summary
uown TO the forming of the South Congrega-
'onai society. now entertaining this conference,
ana with lis action we renew these minutes
Ihe scripture reading and invocation were
oy heV. d. ID Emerson, followed by a hymn
fromsthe choir. Sermon by Rev. G. P. Blanchard
OF Saco, from Acts IA, land there tbey
preached the gospel" (Some points ouly can
here be noted). The gospel is glad tidines to lost
men; it is facts or the testimony of God to preach
1t, we must present it in its fulness, and defend
and apply its peculiar doctrines; such revela.
ton the world never possessed; it is distin-
suished from all others in many points; when
preached in its purity it has great power; it d.
rects our attention to Christ as our Saviour in
contrast to all other systems of self.sayine
Christ should be preached the sole ground of
purfication before God; the gospel should be
preached, and so explained as to present Christ
as sanctifying power. The speaker enlarged
upon the methods by which it may be preached
frst, by the church which is the pillar and the
ground of the truth, secondly through the lives
and mouths of all of its members
AFTERNOON.
The prayer meeting before discussions con-
Quoted by Rev. Mr.. Osgood, was we'll attended
many taking part with song and exhortation.
AT the suggestion of Mr.. Emerson the Ban
list and Methodist clergy present. as well as all
laymen were invited to join the discussion,
which was opened by Rev. M. Christie, upon
what constitutes church of Christ which he
described as believers in Christ, voluntarily
associated; Tin their religion they must believe
in nothing but Christ; must live for work and
worship for him, and to him; there is no
church OF power without work, and the men,
bers must be active and Jealous.
Mr.. Kimball of Wells followed. The church
of Christ is not in name, house or form:
it is the soul, the life, the determined resolve
for the interest of the Master
Mr.. Chase continued, enlarging on the word
believers. Members must all believe in order to
constitute church Christ; further they must
be growing Christians.
The second topic, When did the Christian
Church Begin, was answered, first by Rev. T.
w. Lord, by asking when did the Christian
Sabbath begin, it began when the Lord made
the days, he rested on the seventh day; the
church is the same now as before Christ came.
except in externals; it was the same under
Enoch and Abraham, and began with the
close of creation; but under the new order of
Christ it increased in power, by change of its
ordinances, but he set up no new schemes; the
old Jewish and the Christian church are the
same,t the old now put into more power and glory.
If the Christian church is the same now as in
the time of the patriachs, then this matter is
of great interest to Consregationalsts. because
the covenants and ordinances are the same.
Rev. j. d. Emerson continued: The church
as an organized body started with the first be-
levers, Peter and Abraham and all down, that
confessed Christ, belonged to the church of
Christ; all acknowledged the ordinances;
Christ was circumsized, aud was a member of
the church; the church did not begin on the
day of Pentecost, but that day they started
afresh the same old glorious church. Dr. Haley
of Biddeford continued in the same line: The
promise was that the covenant should be ever
lasting; Christ makes no alusion to any new
church, but it is the same old organization to
which 5000 men were added on the day of PEN
tecost, and it is written, daily. more were ad-
ded 10 the church.
Topic-Is the Congregational church p,lity
the best? Is any change needed? Opened by
Rev. B. T. Snow. At the time of Christ when
the old ceremonies were done away, great
changes were made; the new forms were in the
line of our belief, not all there made, but grew
up, spontaneous increase from the circum
stances of the times, and based upon equality
of condition wi th Christ. We hold to our poll
ty for its antiquity, resting on two pillars; its
independence and its associations; it expects
every disciple to do his own work in the
church. Our form has authorities in its favor
and is the best form as relates to society; we
hold that no change is needed; our polity is
best adapted to the furtberance OF Gods work;
and is the best form as relates TO society. We
we should be more congregational; congrega-
u0naliSm is common sense sanctified and needs
no change, as fast as Others reforms they come
towards it, like DR.. Thing and others who are
looking this way.
Mr.. Lewis of South Berwick said that con.
gationalism would go itself; it came Gp because
men needed its principles and forms. Dr. HALEY
of Biddeford and Rev. Mr.. Osgood gave their
views; Mr.. Blanchard said consregatioualist
won't go alone; it is not enough that we have
the good seed of the word; il is like the full
corn of the the ear, il must be planted aud cuI-
tivated or we get no increase. DR.. Darling of
kennebunk, spoke upon increasing our own
Knowledge by dffusing our views; the more we
give, the more we get good. Rev. G. FL. Gates
of Kennebubunk defended our polity and made
points from his experience of eighteen years in
the West and from advocating it in Connecti-
cut and Massachusetts,, as well as in Maine;
we have suffered immensely in the. West by
sending there Congregational students without
care and protection, and letting other denomin-
ations reap the benefit of our benevolence.
Mr.. Lord gave his experiences in connection
with his labors with the f. W. Baptist denom-
ination, and that we were so coming together
that soon we could not tell who was who and
what was what. Mr. Boynton, the moderator,
spoke briefly upon the point that we little ap-
preciate our own order; that we must push our
own as there was room enough for ALL
Rev. Edwin Chase spoke upon too many
changes being made in the covenant. 1t is not
necessary that the young convert should uDder-
stand the whole of our theology; but the shep-
could decide if the young candidate is lamb
of the flock. Mr.. Blanchard also believed in
some creed, but not as q condition of member
ship. ST. Paul did not understand it, and it
was no use for us to enact a creed farce before
our churches; he protested against the creed of
Calvin and others; he believed in training up
the young believers; the next speaker remarked
upon the Presbyterian creed as for elders of the
church and not for the children.
Topic-The duty OF Christians to unite with
the church. Mr.. Emerson in concise remarks
advocates the duty where good hope prevailed
and things were favorable. The Christian
should know if his hope increased if he is
sincere and il he is in the faith; he should
know of his own state of mind and should work
in all things to serve God; join the church by
all means if you know you are Christian;
why should you disobey? There is no love with
out obedience; outward signs of faith are re-
quired as much as the mental fact Bible
texts were quoted enforcing the position.
1t is a Christian duty because he can be more
useful; it is Gods method; it was Christs first
act; we have the example of the Eunuch. Join
soon-join young-the trouble is not so much
with the lamb as with his company; no bad
results come from putting the young convert
too soon into the church it is the work of the
church to drill the recruits; one can do nothing
effectually alone; the soldier must put on his
armor and not fail to obey the plain commands
If you join good men will help you-if not, bad
men will distrust you-it is most reasonable
service, it is for his own spiritual good the
growth is not outside but with good men; it is
for his good to express his belief; we need
every spur. IT is more of privilege than
duty aud is demanded by your own spiritual
necessities; but don't work young child too
much and rnn a praver meatinv into him ha