Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-10-17

OrlssS
CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE. - The
Hancock County Conference held its semi
annual session with the church In Orlapd.
Oct. Sth and 9th. Rev. II. Houston, Mod
orator; Rev. Hardy, Scribe. The churches
represented. were West Brooksville, Blue
hill, Bncksport. CastiEe, Deer Isle, Ellis
worth. orland, Sedgwick and Brooksville.
On account OF the unfavorable condition Of
the weather Wednesday Morning, a short
devotional exercise was the only service.
The afternoon was taken up In discussions
First topic: christianity In the home cir
Gle" Some of the points. The children Of
the Kingdom should be christians erery-
ichere. In the home circle while the minds
are young and plastic the moulding in flu
ence Is easy. and impressions are not soon
lost. The family devotions where all partici-
pate. are powerful means for good. Seed
thought. here sown, will bear its fruit.
Second topic: christianity In business
christianity that does not permeate the
whole life. does not give shape aud color
TO mans social. business. and In fact his
whole nature, which does not recognize the
principle of iioo parties In the transactions
OF life. and that the interest of both should
be consulted, is of little rorth Third top
ic. Christianity in Politics" There is 10
field where there is more necessity for
display of the gospel precepts than in leg.
islature. Men need 10 be aer creatures here.
quite as much as In any department, OF life.
While IL might not be desirable 10 unite
church aud State as formerly. We, the State
might be much improved by an infusion OF
gospel principles into Its affairs.
Praise Meeting al l.. NJ. followed By a
sermon from Rev. II. Houston. Text.
Grow In grace and In the knowledge OF
Jesus Christ" The principle of growth
pervades the vegetable and animal King
doms. aud should pervade the spiritual.
There j. nothing more desirable than that
those taught Of the Holy Spirit should make
progress n every step of life. The best
means Of development is a better acquaint-
ancc of the Lord Jesus Christ. With the
facilities for thus becoming acquainted.
there Is no reason why there should be so
many piSmys in the church.
Wednesday, o A. NJ, devotional service
followed by a report from the several
churches, the sum of which was. that
while there has not been very material
changes. a healthy condition has been
81 4
couraging. than otherwise. Some of the
subjects not finished Tuesday. L. NJ. were
here taken up. How better 10 observe the
Sabbath" One thing sure. where the Sab
bath i best kept. there life aud property
are most secure. just what means to adopt
TO get the masses tn rightly observe this day
is difficult 10 suggest, yet that the church
should stand upon a higher plane than Ii
has, Is a matter aboIt which there IS no
controversy. \ more constant attendance
upon the means OF grace; a more careful
selection OF family reading. were among
the things mentioned as aids in this direc-
tion. The relation of the church to the
temperance movement was the last topic.
That much good has resulted from the per
sistent agitation Of this important sub
jeci. is seen and felt IN all parts OF the coun-
try; yet how to obtain the largest and best
results, is the question which most inter
ests the Church OF Christ. To act In man
Vested sympathy with those engaged in this
work. and infuse so much of gospel iniiu-
nj l.fr "A
lead TO higher point than the moral. since
real permanent reformation is needed
rather than head work.
In the afternoon Rev. l.. Thomas preach
ed. Subject, Strength of Character" We
admire strength wherever we find it. The
gnarled oak which has stood the blasts of
an hundred winters, calls fourth our ad-
miraiion. A finely developed physical na-
ture, as We behold 1t, calls into exercise
some of the higher qualities Of our being !;
but our enthusiasm is intensified as we
leave the natural aud physical and approach
the intellectual and moral. Here comes the
exercise Of mans will power. Here Is
opened up to mans view the possibilities of
his nature. To but develope this, having in
view the glory and honor Of his creator, is
the greatest work in which he can engage.
The sacrament conducted by DIR. Tenney
and Rev. +. A. Ivis, doth veterans in the
service.) closed series of interesting. and
it is hoped, profitable meetings Of the con-
ference. X. X.
Mrs. DR.. Chase gave her annual Con-
cert with her Free Singing Glass. compos-
ed OF some 20 singers, at the Town Hall,
on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
Owing TO the storm on the first night, the
attendance was not as large as usual. but
on the whole was a success. Every child