The Portland daily press., 1886-03-18
CUMBERLAND CONFERENCE.
The isist Meeting at High street
Church.

The Cumberland Conference Of Congrega-
tional Churches, held its 13tst meeting yes
terday at the High street church in this city.
Rev. G. A. Marsh of Woodfords was the
chosen Moderator. In place of the usual
discussions common to conferences 1t was
planned to have three sermons, addressed to
ministers, churches and the lmpenltent. This
plan was carried out and was good one for
the conference
Rev. A. Fl. Wright preached the morning
sermon from the text in 1st Cor. 8: % The
general thought Of the sermon was: The
winning of souls the minister's aim-illus-
trated by Paul. This should be recognized
as the ministers mission, and for that end
he should, like Paul, accommodate himself to
men and circumstances, consistently, not as
time servers nor men pleasers, yet with self
denial. Earnest personal work should accom-
pany pulpit work.
After brief discussion and prayer the con-
ference adjourned till go
At the afternoon session there was fair
audience. Rev. Mr.. Marsh conducted the
Introductory services.
Rev. FL. C. Mcknight of Falmouth, preach
ed the conference sermon from the text in
John 6; 90, the general subject being "The
Idea Christian
The true Christian idea is of life within
the soul, divine life from without and above
man. Morality is dead without this life,
branches with no roots. The roots of
human actions must lie in the heart. Then
the life will flow forth. If Christianity is
Christianity, it is so in practice.
After the sermon the sacrament of the
Lords Supper was administered by Rev.
Messrs. Bacon and Perkins.
At four o'clock the conference listened to
a most instructive address from Rev. James
H. Pettee, a missionary from Japan, upon
the Christian work in that country.
For several years the government of Japan
has been making reforms IN itself. The idea
formerly was that only these things could
be done which were permitted by law and
law penetrated even the details of life. Under
the old order the Emperor was never seen;
now he dimes with the merchants. Among
classes in Japan, of those of the people
farmers were the highest; merchants the
lowest. The Japanese have no business
habits. In this the Chinese are their supe-
riors. Changes are taking place in these mat
tiers. The foreign relations of Japan are
honorable. Able men are sent abroad as
ministers. The foreign policy is good as
teen nations--treatieS made some years ago,
now manifestly unjust to Japan, yet borne
by her with patience and wisdom. Internal
improvements in Japan are rapid. Railroads,
telegraph and telephone sytems, horse cars
are found and now an elevated railroad is
projected The government encourages econO-
my among the people. In education Japan
has copied from the best school systems of
the world. The moral element, however,
was left out, and the schools were weak at
fhic noint mis- MO rhnr ro
introduced with the hope of purifying moral
life, without result. 1t is question of time
merely when Biblical instruction will be
given as the basis of morals,
The Japanese are polite and kind-hearted.
There is an enervating influence in the at
mosphere of Japan because of a lack of
ozone, and as in the people, there seems a
lack of moral strength, the ozone is in small
measure. The government is n0miDally
neutral, practically helpful towards Chris
tianity. A nominally Christian man is at
the head of the government premier of the
cabinet. Two great sins of the Japanese are
lying and RIGHTEOUSNESS. Yet they are dig
nifed and loyal people, they will never be
conquered. Though tickle in many ways,
they are firm in matters where their hearts
are fixed, Protestant Christianity entered
Japan less than q years ago. After five
years, one conversion, after twelve years,
ten,. now there are ten thousand baptized
Christians and one hundred and fifty
churches with all forms of work. The
Christians are earnest and self sacrificing
This is a critical time in Japan. Bad in
f1uences are going there with the good.
There is need of Christian work. There is
some danger lest a nominal Christianity be
adopted for the sake of national policy.
Japan is showing herself to be missionary
nation already Christianity established
there and the surrounding nations will be
ministered to by her own people Japan is
the key to the Orient"
The evening service hppan at 70 with a
service of song and prayer, this was followed
by a sermon by the Rev. George NJ. Howe of
the Pine street church, Lewiston. 1t was an
earnest appeal from the words "Behold now
is the accepted time" He enforced the i'm
portance and urgency of the business taught
in the text; the suitableness and value of the
may may soon pass and delay increases dificulty
of repentance. 1t was valuable appeal and
was listened to with interest
after the usual thanks to the church and
helpers, the conference adjourned to meet
next with the First Church of Falmouth.