Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-06-24
OXFORD COUNTY CONFERENCE.

lew NCIt present at liS OP'hiiS o'HnIou'
The Conference was called to order by the
Scribe, Mr.. A. w Valentine, in Berlin
Mills Hall at 10 80 Tuesday morning.
Rev d. Garland was chosen Moderator,
and 4. w. Valentine Scribe.
The exercises opened by singing the 93l
hymn, and prayer was offered by the Mod
orator, followed by the reports Of the
churches.
Rev. Messrs Pearson, Benedict, and the
Scribe were appointed committee on nom
nations.
Voted that all members OF other evan
gelical churches be invited 10 participate
in the deliberations of the Conference.
The opening sermon was preached by the
Rev 5. W. Pearson of Andoyer, assisted
by Rev. A. j. Benedict Of Berlin The
text was from Luke IL Lord increase
our faith" The sermon was very inter-
eSting and showed careful thought.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Opening hymn, Nearer my God 10
Thee" Scripture reading by the Moder-
ator
The FIRST subject was The Christian
Religion, "What it Isl" Opened by Rev.
d. Garland, followed by Rev. Mcssrs.
Pearson, Benedict and Mr. Sewel Of Sum-
ner
"a topic Evangelical Religion opened
by \. W. Valentine followed by Dca
Stetson Of Sumner, Judge Woodbury. and
Rev. Mr.. Bolar of Bethel
81 topic The Origin Of Religion" OPP
ened by Mr. Bolar, followed by Mr. Sewen
and Judge Woodbury.
Closing prayer by Deacon Chapman.
EVENING SESSION.
Opened by singing Rock Of Ages"
Subject, Cause, of Sabbath Desecra-
ton" Opened by SIR. Pearson, followed
By Mr.. Benedict and Mr.. Garland.
"a topic, Effect Of Sabbath Desecra-
ton" Opened by Judge Woodbury., fol-
lowed by Mr.. Garland and Mr.. Bolar
81 topic The Divine Commandment
against breaking the Sabbath" Discussed
by Mr.. Bolar and Judge Woodbury..
SECOND DAY.
At half past five Wednesday morning an
interesting prayer meeting was held, Mr..
Woodbury. presiding
The next session was held at o'clock.
An earnest prayer was made by Rev Mr.
Pearson, after which a business meeting
was held
The Committee on nominations reported
that the next Conference would be held At
Gilcad the last Tuesday and Wednesday "
September. Rev Mr.. Bolar was appointed
delegate to visit Bangor Seminary. It was
voted to drop the church at Turner from
the oxford County Conference. at the re-
quest Of the members Of that church
Reports of the religious condition Of the
churches were then submitted; some were
reported by delegates, and several by let
ter. Most Of the reports were very favor
able and showed that the churches were in
a prosperous condition.
Judge Woodbury. from the Committee
on Resolutions, reported the following as
the views of the Conference upon the
question of Sabbath dcsecration.
Whereas, We view with alarm the
growing tendency OF the times TO intro
ducc the continental Sabbath OF Europe
into our own country, making 10 a day or
amusement and sensual pleasure instead OF
the Sabbath of the Lord our God; and
whereas, our Railway corporations, our
great manufacturing establishments, are
taking this day To DO their own pleasure
and 10 add 10 their own gains and,
whereas, many Of our churches are un-
concerned 1T this encroachment upon molly
time. and some Of the members engage in
practices and employments, to say the
least, Of doubtful tendencies, therefore
ResOie,d, That the ministers of this Con
ference be requested 20 present to their
people the Scriptural obligations for keep
Ing the Sabbath as necessity of their
physical wants, and enforce this obligation
by the precepts and example of Christ, A.
well Us the divine command Of Him wht.
gave the command as u kind and bcnehcemt
Father, whose commands are all given in
love and for the highest good and supreme
happiness Of all his children.
Resoired, That a. members of the church
of Christ, We will abstain from all CONVEX
sation aud reading on that day that tend To
distract our minds and draw them from
the fact that il is holy day hOnOra-
bic and delightful To the Lord our God and
we will refrain from all practices that have
the appearance Of violating the sanctity OF
that day, or that might lead others " it's
violation, and will use our best endeavOrs
to restore the Sabbath to it, original sane
tity and holiness.
Judge Woodbury. sustained the resolu-
tons with an able and glowing address,
which was listened to with attention By
those present. The resolutions, after be-
ing thoroughly discussed, were unanimous
ly adopted by the conference
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Opened by the Moderator Song, Crock
of Ages"
Rev. Mr.. Bolar preached the Conference
sermon, assisted by Rev. d. Garland.
Text, LIST Peter iii rs: "For Christ also
hath once suffered for sins, the just for the
unjust, that He might bring US to God"
After the sermon the Lords Supper was
administered by Rev. Mr. Pearson and Rev.
Mr.. Chandler, assisted by Dea Libby and
Dea. Chapman.
\ vote of thanks was extended TO the
citizens of Berlin for their generous hospi-
.ality and kindness, and to the officers of
he Grand Trunk railroad for accommoda-
lions extended to the Conference.
The benediction was pronounced by Rev.
Mr. Bolar