The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-06-14

sirable to their changing Dastorates. Another
Methodist church at the Depot village is said te
be in fourishing condition. Within few
years the Second Advent denomination has
built little meeting house near the last named
locality.
A free meeting house at tie Landing village
has no regular preacher, though fourishine
| Sunday school has long been established. AT
| the lower part of the town are two religious
| societies-a Second Advent of some years
| growth, which has newly repaired church
and lately more regular preaching. A Free
Baptist society, worshiping in hall, is now
supplied by Ed. L. e. Whithem.
These ten open churches, we'll located, alas
are upon ordinary Sabbaths, poorly filled. But
| to come back to our ,meeting. The great rain
of last night, better for corn than for confer
ence, has prevented many from coming, though
the ministers and delegates appear in usual
numbers.
The conference organized by choosing Hon.
Joseph Iitcomb as the moderator for three
years, and Mr.. j. F. Stearns of Saco as clerk
and treasurer. Subsequently at Mr.. Stearns'
request he was excused, and Rev. W. S. KIM
bail of Wells was elected.
The opening sermon was by Rev. W. S.
Thompson OF Acton, from Matthew 1923. Mr..
Thompson also read the statistical report Of
the churches.
The afternoon prayer meeting was in charge
of Rev. Mr.. Stone of Sanford.
The regular session with Moderator Titcomb
In the chair, discussed 'The Bible" opened by
Rev. B. P. Snow with carefully written paper
upon its authority.
Rev. r, D. Osgood followed upon "The pur.
poses OF the Bible,' which were, LIST, That He
might make himself known to man. I'd, that
b might bring man back; 81, that we may
love Him.
Rev. Mr.. Stone of Sanford spoke upon the
power OF the Bible. Rev. Mr. Lewis of South
Berwick spoke upon its mission and purpose
in this world Rev. Mr.. Ferris took the part
assigned to Mr.. Kite! and spoke upon its value.
Mr.. Snow suggested discussion upon the best
way to get at the value of the Bible and how to
best get it before the people, Dsa j. Boothby
talked about its value to him personally, and
Mr.. Osgoed about the value to the family.
Mr. Gates Of Kennebunkport spoke upon the
wonderful Word, and related incidents of its
practical power in cases very recently known
to him.
Rev. Mr.. Cole of Cornish contrasted the
wealth, culture and power of this and other
places under the influences of the Bible with
heather Countries. ----------.-
An invitation by the moderator to clergymen
of other denominations present was accepted
in kindly spirit by Rev Mr. Worth, Baptist,
Rev. Mr.. Woodbury., Methodist, and Rev. Mr..
Vinal, Unitarian.
Mr.. Worth spoke upon the authority and
purpose of the Bible; Mr.. Woodbury. upon the
living and eternal truths of the work and cor
daily bid the conference IGodspeed in their
efforts, while Mr.. Vinal gave chapter from
his own experience, and instanced many poin is
OF value in the Bible its history, its biography,
its poetic elements, its stories Of the Old Testa-
lament but exceeding In value all the rest
the four gospels and the Jesus therein. He
compared the stndy Of the Bible to the tray
eller's journey up the mountain side, the views
increase as We rise, and it is only when we
ma hQIU hot Uo hax,a
Obstructed sight.
Monday evening opened with praise meet
iug led by selected choir of ten singers, who
varied the Congregational singing by few
choice anthems. The regular discussion of the
evening was upon "The Christian Witness .
opened by Rev. Mr.. Cole of Cornish, who gave
the experience of the witness in his own soul,
followed by Rev, Mr.. Gates, who answered
the questions, Chow the witness is born ).
SLOW is it tested" closing with directions to
its practical illustrating.
The discussion was closed by Rev. Mr.. Blades
of Saco, who spoke of whom this witness shall
be born, and of the want of knowledge of God
and of the strong faith connected with the fear
of sin necessary to true witness
Wednesdays session comprised "a prayer meet
ting at 8 a. m. and short business meeting at
$50. At 10 a. m. the discussion upon the BIZ
BILE was continued, portion of which only we
listened to. Messrs. Kite, Stone and Osgood
spoke briefly upon points previously opened.
The last part of the subject was s'its abuses"
assigned to Rev. w. S. Kimball of Wells.
who treated it at length and ably. Among the
negative abuses of the goo book he put frat of
alits neglect The worst use is to let it alone Its
direct abuses he classed LIST, it is used to teach
and prove certain sciences. the Bible itself only
claiming to teach roper lance. I'd, it is used as
an armory or storehouse of unnecessary con-
troversy. Sd, it is used as charm, placed in
state in the unused room, like aihorse shoe nail
ed to the Intel of the door. 4th, as an rreve-
rent seasoner of conversation and speech, and
9th in the drawing of duplex meanings.
The practical conclusions were assigned to
Rev. e. Chase of Bidoeford, who crowded into
the limited time left, fine resume of the
whole subject.
Rev. A. Cole read the pastoral address and
entreated his brethren to be earnest contenders
for the gospel faith, as opposed to those of the
jelly fish style of preachers.
The afternoon was occupied by an eloquent
sermon from Luke, "a, %, by Rev. Geo. Lewis
of South Berwick. and the Toast of the Lords
-s5uppors-Io the latter, the moderator, in the
name of the church and conference, invited
all Christians.
The exercises on the closing 0day were much
more fully attended, but copious shower in
terrupted the afternoon services.
Rev. Mr. Blades of Saco and Snow of Afr ID
rendered the thanks for the Inequalities of the
occasion, which were appropriately responded
to by the Hon. Mr.. Titcomb.
The October conference was assigned to Cor.
nlsh and the next annual June conference will
be with the church at Acton.