Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-10-14
OXFORD CONFERENCE.

Text, Hag., nj. "And the desire of al
, nations shall come" Christ meets certain
wants of men. lst Wants Of knowledge
I'd, eXpiation, and reconciliation to God
Sd, of cheer and solace in the hour Of
, death
AFTERNOON SESSION.
A few moments in conference anC
prayer
, Discussions. lst Topic: Fidelity tC
Conscience. Opened by f. W. Woodbury.
! % Faithfulness in training children that
they may be CONSCIENTIOUS % Fidelity
TO conscience in business transactions
| (3) In religious matters, AS processing
Christ by uniting with the church. - In
reading
I'd Topic: Daily use of the Word o.
God. Opened by Rev f. Z. Bacon. Tn,
thought presented by the speaker was
How one can call himself n Christian and
not use the Word daily, especially whcr
Christ was the greatest student Of the Bi
bic, is a mystery.
Rev. s. l.. Bowler showed that con
science is quickened by the frequent use OF
the Word of God Other speakers fol
lowed.
The Work and Claims of the Maine Mis-
Sionary Society were presented by Rev
Addison Blanchard.
EVENING SESSION.
Prayer and Praise Service led by c. ID.
Crane. ON taking the chair the moderator
presented resolutions on the death Of the
Rev. John Elliot, which were adopted
and it was voted that thay he published in
the minutes Of the conference in the Chris
tan Mirror, and a copy be forwarded to
the family.
The topic: How should Sunday School
Lessons be prepared by Teachers and Pu-
pills was opened by Rev. c. d. Crane. Ad.
dressing himself To Teachers, the speaker
remarked % Prepare in your own way
| (2) Put the Bible first. CD Prepare with
your classes before you. O. Study to find
Christ in the Lesson. Finally: Study in
your closet ON Bonded knee
Rev. Mr.. Bowler urged tho necessity of
tact, and of securing the attention of pu-
pills.
Rev. Mr.. Blanchard said that the teach
cr must be full of the Word. he must know
the general contents OF the different books
Of the Bible, and having this he should be
specific in bringing out the central thought
or an important thought Of each passage
used a. lesson. The teacher should
have enthusiasm.
"a Topic: What can be done toward Sc
curing 4 better attendance in the Sunday
School, discussed 10y Rev :. W. Pearson
ll) Prepare ourselves better. (2) Go out
for those who do not attend. go Interest
the children in the singing and in other
ways
WEDNESDAY FORENOON.
The Committee on Nominations reported
Bethel pa church. as the place Of the next
meeting. Preachers: % Rev L. +. Ba-
con, alternate T. r Williams. or Rev.
\. J. Benedict, alternate, Rev. c. u.
Crane
The time OF the Semi-annual meeting
was changed from the first Tuesday aud
following Wednesday of October. to the
third Tuesday and following Wednesday
of October; that OF the annual meeting
from the second Tuesday and following
Wednesday. 10 the first Tuesday and fol-
lowing Wednesday Of June
Rev. y. Garland, as a member OF a COM
mittcc of the General Conference, spoke i'm
behalf Of the American Congregational
Union. and requested each church Of the
oxford Conference to take up contribu-
ton for that society. He also requested
the Conference TO decide whether they
would have any change in the representa-
ton of the County Conference by ministers
and laymen at the meetings of the State
Conference. The vote was nay, unani-
mously given.
Topic How may We secure u genuine
and thorough revival of religion among
our churches and congregations? Opened
by Rev +. Z. Bacon. On the part OF the
ministry he said lst, there must be the
faithful preaching of the Word; 2d, per-
sonal entrance into the hearts of the peo-
pie. 10y becoming one with them. Put
yourself in their place, enter into their
thoughts, feelings and tolls, that YOU may
help them. Experience what you preach,
and let that be the highest truth, and thus
be able to preach yourself, in sense. On
the part of the people, there must be read
mess, an attitude to receive the truth and
embody it in the life. There should be 4:
lst, purity; I'd, peace; Sd, prayer; 4th,
personal effort.
Remarks on the subject dictated, by Rev.
Mr. Richardson, a former pastor of the
church, now an old man and a confirmed
invalid, were read by Rev. T. p Williams
list, deep and heartfelt desire for reviv-
al is needed. "a, much earnest and perSe-
vering prayer. Sd, We must set ourselves
TO work, examine our own hearts and lives
and then 90 out and labor with and warn
others. Finally, we must live in such a
manner as to make it difficult for the world
to criticise our conduct.
In accordance with motion passed at a
previous session of the Conference, the
exercises on the programme for the after
nnnn wore introduced nj this noint