The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-10-29
THE coNcREcATIoNALlsTs.
Yesterdays Meeting of the cumber
land Conference.

The 190th meeting of the Cumberland
Conference was held yesterday at the Second
Parish Church. The conference is composed
of twenty-five churches, nearly all of which
were represented by pastors and delegates.
The Rev. L. Fl. Hallock of this city was
chosen moderator. After the transaction of
some business, the following topic opened
the discussion, Rev. Mr.. Hallock leading
"Claims of Christian Missions upon our
Age" The claim is fourfold, viz: The re-
payment of the debt to those who saved us !;
the payment of our debt to the heather for
their Injuries conferred upon us,-a COM
mercial claim; the necessity OF missions TO
our own life and growth and the very es-
sence of Christianity, in its principle ana
Founder 1t is missionary religion. Inc
American Missionary Association, which
represents church and school work among
the negroes, Chinese and Indians, was rep
resented by Rev. f. L. Bayley. He affirmed
that the race is one, and no one can safely
neglect rlpsei , his brother,a rule applying to the
work of this association. The question what
to do with the negro is not so great as what
the negro will do with us. There is great
need Of the gospel to enlighten and educate.
Rev. HI. c. Mcknight and others continued
the discussion.
The afternoon session began at 2 o'clock.
The sermon was preached BY the Rev. c. A.
Marsh. with this for his topic: Gods Love
in Relation to Christian Missions The
text was from John 3:16-'God SO loved the
that whosoever belieyeth in Him should not
perish but have eternal life.' There is no
greater theme than God. The cry of the
ages had been, ''What is God?' Paganism
tianity declares ''God is love" Note, first,
the unselfishness of Gods love- 1t is love,
not alone for jew, but for all men, unbound
ed, infinite, Incompatible. Note, secondly,
the exhibition Of Gods love. This love is
exhibited in various ways, but especially In
Father, and must have suffered father, 5
anguish in yielding His son, to an lgno-
BILE DEATH Note, thirdly, the object OF God S
love. This was for underlying man to raise
him to glory through faith. How? Jesus
must be lifted up at home, especially
abroad The cry comes from every quarter
of every field, loud, pressing. distressing.
1t comes from a thousand millions Of be-
nighted souls Individual responsibility to
go or send the gospel to these is very great.
literature, consecrate the children. let the
church be baptised with the missionary
spirit, light the campfires of the missionary
bands everywhere, pray Thy Kingdom
come, then cooperate with. the King IN
bringing in His Kingdom, and the time will
are become the Kingdoms OF our Lord, and
of his Christ
Following the sermon, the Lords Supper
was administered by the Rev. Drs. Carruth-
erS and Smith.
The woman's work of Home Missions was
presented by Miss Alice Merriam of Boston.
| The work is one of educatiOn establishing
| schools among the poor whites and negroes
| in the South; among the Indians and Nor
mons in the West. Her story OF destltutlon
nil in ha py
| and elected the closest attention and hearth
| est sympathy of the audience.
Following this the Rev. DR.. Fem, who has
recently been in France, gave his 0bserva-
tons of evangelical Christian progress In
| that country. His story was exceedingly in
teresting, of the various changes amongst
that people in the past few years; their read
mess to receive the Gospel and the methods
of the Gospels PRONUNCIATION, especially the
McAll mission work. This is work worthy
the attention of the churches.
During the intermission generous COLA
ton was served by the ladies of the second
Parish, and which all enjoyed.
In the evening the Rev. Judson Smith,
ID, of Boston, presented the work of the
American Board of Foreign Missions, speak
ing first of its successes during the seventy
five years of its history, then OF its future in
opportunity and privilege. He made strong
plea for the churches opportunity. The dis.
c0uraging feature Is not so much a lack OF
money us lick VI iilcil anu WoliieH W Idho up
the work.
This lack was reiterated by Rev. Mr. Har-
low, who spoke for the Maine Home Mission
airy Society. Twenty young men are wanted
in Maine today for destitute fields
Rev. F. Southworth spoke a word for the
Seanlen.
Rev. l.. H. Cobb, DID,, of New York, took
the closing hour in an earnest plea for the
church and parsonage building fund. Until
quite late the audience listened carefully to
the story of the needs of so many churches,
houses Of worship and houses for their min
listers. He desires to raise $500 in Portland
for Maine churches that have appealed to his
society for aid.
Hearty thanks were returned to the church
for its hospitality to the conference. Mr..
Daniels, in his response, made an earnest
plea for the old-timed two days conference
in place of the present one day session. This
session of conference was full of interest
and profit, and the programme was greatly
commended
The next meeting will be held with the
High street church in this city.