Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-06

The Ministerial Associations Of The Augusta
District Of the Aalne Coaferencs convened
in the vestry of the Methodist church At A.
NJ, yesterday. Presiding Elder Rev. A. ".
Pottle, Of Waterville, in the chair.
Brethren representing the following charges
were in attendance: Pennington. Augusta.
Livermore Falls, Jay Bridge, North Al
gusta, Kent's Hill, ReadHeld, Gardiner,
Hallovsll. Mt. Vernon, Richmend, Wilton,
Waterville, Fairfield, Madison, No. An
son, Brunswick and Monmouth.
Reports from these places showed that sue
esssful aggressive revival work has been car
ried on generally throughout the district but
especially under the lsbors Of C, A. Laughton
of No. Augusta; Israel Luce, Gardiner;
Ezekiel Martin, Hallowell; Frank Smith,
Richmond; W. 9. Mcintyre Of Waterville
A new church has been recently dedicated
ct Madison Bridge; one il under process Of
erection ct Mt Vernon; and 1t Livermors
Falls great improvements have just been
completed.
A thorough and interesting review Of
Aercein's sNatural Goodness" vas then read
BY Rev. J. A. Corey, receiving favorable
criticisms, and followed BY animated and gen.
VIRi uA9@0oolo0 VI Su0 tcA8eAOu VI UOK2kIoSD
and morality TO God, the churches. re ligion
and the future life.
The association adjourned at IL O'Clock 70
meet again at l.30 P. n.
AFTERNOON SsssIox.
Promptly at 100 P. NJ, the meeting
was opened by singing. and prayer by Rev. 1.
Luce.
Article vas taken up BY Rev. N. C. Cliff
fc. In uOEnsas
Best Methods of Promoting It," in which the
prominence given BY scripture to this most
blessed doctrine, and the many Witnesses TO-
day of the experience commend it to our
practice in daily life and to pulpit ninistra-
tons. Warm testimonies follow ed the essay,
supporting and corroborating the truths pre-
scented.
Article 8. A review of Garbeth's Goods
Word Written" WAS given BY Rev. d. B.
Holt Of Madison, being . careful treatise On
the subject matter Of the book, commencing
its many excellencies - inducing greater love
for and confidence in the Bible.
Article 8. "Social Life in the Church."
was treated in . brief but practical manner
BY Rev. E. Martin. The importance Of the
relations Of sociability and spirituality are
not in all churches sufficiently recognized.
Rev. C. w. Bradlee thought We NJ eded .
revival of sociability.
Rev. j. A. Corey recognized the power Of
socisl gatherings but had found great difn-
Guilty in managing and properly controlling
them.
Rev. j. B. Laphsm considered the future
welfare of the church. Much depended on souls
being reached through natural channels -
we'll - set forms; through the social, intel
lectual and spiritual faculties.
Rev. w. S. Mcintyre recommended the
church lyceum ~ . great aid to sOciability.
Rev. A. W. Pottle from the district at
large, commended this quality to the minis
ters themselves, a. from its lack in them
more complaints were made than OF any other
deficiencies.
Theme s. THE Removal Of the Time Lin
il" vas opened by an essay from Rev. j. B.
Laphsm. After brief history of the origin
of the present limit existing in our itinerant
system, the writer considered two great ques-
tions: First, would the removal of the "Time
Limit" make the methods of MethOdism more
efficient? Second, would the itinerancy en-
dnre the strain of having the limit removed.
Able arguments showed that any great alters-
ton In our present system would be condu-
Give of disastrous consequences.
Rev. Z. H. W. Smith, of this city, took .
firm stand on the opposite side Of this ques-
ton, producing q number of reasons for . re-
moval of our present limited term Of minis
tration, showing many benefits to be derived
by churches from q Heightened psstorate in
many cases. If Bro. Smiths views represent
the sttitude of the laity in general this i'm
portant change would be made at the coming
General Conference; bat the spirit Of the
meeting was decidedly opposed to any such
alterations.
Adjourned until evening.
During the intermission between the after
noon and evening sessions the ministers
of the association sat dswn to . bounteous
spread in the vestry, furnished BY the ladies
Of the society in this city.
In the evening Rev. ID. B. Holt Of Madison,
delivered an able and scholarly sermon.
To-day there will be . prayer meeting at
$50 A. Al. Regular session at 9 A. d.
The association will adjourn At noon.