The Portland daily press., 1885-01-29

The 128th session of the Cumberland Con-
ference of Congregational churches was held
yesterday at the Bethel church in this city
Despite the unusually severe weather,
goodly number gathered aud were repaid for
the effort Fourteen churches were repre-
sented by delegates.
The Rev. Mr., Jones of Scarboro was elected
moderator.
The central thought in the discussion OF the
day was "The Church's Opportunity" Rev.
+. I. Bayley discussed as a eub-topie. "The
Missionary Spirit-the test and token of
spiritual ife." This was followed by the
topic, christian Stewardship; it's meaning
and extent" opened by Rev. E. NJ Cousins
and Dea. j. W. Stevenson.
At the afternoon session Rev. L. FL. Hallock
preached the sermon.
He took for his text Mark viii "a: "To every
man his work" lin tha service which God
has committed unto His church for the better
ment of men, He has no provision for idlers
The service requires the best and constant
effort Of every one. II any part be left un-
done, the cause will suffer loss, and the person
irrepRrable loss 3-While the results of the
work upon the world may not be great the
benefits TO the worker are indispensable. III
Gods work needs us, far more do we personally
upOu tuo WOihs AN HEbleJ Can IGf more easily
paint picture than he can teach lad to paint
1t; but that would only make painting; the
hiRhar end is to make painter God wants
artists; end the chief results of faithful ger-
vice are TO be found in the developed charac-
ters OF those who serve. Though capacjties
do greatly vary, GOD has given 'ito every man
his work" When each item, great and small
is faithfully done, the work goes grandlv ON.
and the worker grows steadily Christ-like
The conference, after most united dis
cussion, adopted these resolutions:
Whereas. a bill has been introduced into the leg
stature py Representative Heath of Augusta pro-
vdiDg for the suppression of immoral and indecent
literature,
Resolred That we, the Congregational churches
Of Cumberland county in conference Assembled do
hereby declare our hearty sympathy with that bill
t and express the hope that it may become law of
Resotred, That we forward comics Of the abova
resolutions TO Mr. Heath, and to the Senators and
Representatives from this county, and that we
earnestly beseech them to use their ipfluenca and
their votes in making the bill a law.
RESOLVED, That these resolutions be published in
the dsily and religious papers of the city.
Tbe topics, "Sphere aud Responsibility of
Personal Tnhuence" and "Means OF more
efficient action through church agencies" were
opened BY 9. A. Woodbury., Esq, and Rev. II.
s. Huntington, and ELECTED an earnest dis
cussion from the laymen and clergy present.
One of the most vital questions before the
conference was upon the work of the church in
our OVID country, as regards the incoming
population, the working men and The growing
spirisof skeptcism. These difficulties before
tho church were warmly discussed by Revs.
Pitts, southworth, Hallock, Bayley and
Others
The next meeting will be held at Scarboro'
in June, with Rev. E. 7. Pitts as the preacher.
The ladies' of the Bethel church made most
ample and generous provision for the enter
tainment and comfort of the conference,