The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-06-22
CONGREGATIONALlSTS AT ROCKLAND.
Proceedings of the Last Day of the
Conference.
The Officers Chosen for the Ensuing
Year.
Rev. C. M. Howe and Mr.. Loring Dis
cuss the Pastoral Relation.

RocKLAND, June 21.-This mornings ses-
ference at Rockland opened with a prayer
meeting.
After devotional exercises at $50 the ques-
tion of ''The Relation of Pastor and People
How 1t Can be Made More Effective by the
Pastor" was, by mutual consent of those
opening the discussion, so modified as to
bring out more fully the thoughts as to how
the laymen could strengthen and help the
pastor in his work.
Rev. G. M. Howe of Lewiston, in opening
the subject, briefly commented upon and il
lustrated the following points:
The laity can help and encourage the pas
tor in his work by recognizing more fully
the sanctity of their covenant vows.
By being watchful and solicitous for the
spiritual prosperity of the church.
BY occasionally speaking an encouraging
and helpful word. Pastors, as we'll as other
workers, need this stimulus.
BY noting and reporting the presence of
strangers in the congregation, and where
they reside, and thus enable the pastor to
economize his time and strength
BY occasionally calling at the parsonage,
and thus come to know the pastor, as he is
in his own home.
BY reporting cases of sickness or need
where they exist. The pastor is neither
omnipresent nor omniscient.
By manifesting the spirit of concession; /.
e., a willingness to have new methods tried
or adopted. Pastors are often seriously him
dered in their work by those who think the
old way is the best.
By not speaking derogatorily of him, es-
pecially in the presence of the children and
strangers and thus prejudicing them against
him.
By the manifestation of the true spirit of
charity towards his faults and failirgs.
By remembering him often in prayer, es-
pecally at the family altar.
Prentiss Loring, of Portland, folio wing
Rev. Mr.. Howe, discussed the question,
be made more effective by the pastor?" The
following is the substance of Mr.. Loring's
remarks:
The relation existing between the pastor
and the people Is one of the most sacred and
important of any on earth. The question
presented for discussion implies that it is al
ready effective. How to make it more so is
9. proposition worthy of careful considera-
tiOn. What the people can do to promote it
has been wisely set forth by the gentleman
who has just spoken. What the pastors
should do in the same direction may be par
tally iset forth under few heads.
First, the services of the pulpit demand
the pastors best work, resulting from care
full preparation, not only as to the sermon,
but as to the devotional exercises as we'll.
The prayer meeting of the church is an
other place where the pastor may WELD far
reaching influence to promote the efficiency
of this relation. The people are generally
held responsible for much that is defective
in these meetings, and deservedly so; but in
asmuch as pastors, for the most part retain
control OF the methods which are in use. they
must be held to consider whether IL is not
possible for them to so modify them, to so
adapt them to the people so as to largely
change some of their present character
istics.
"A brief reference by the pastor at the
close to what may have been said or done
during the meeting will be found influential
in expressing appreciation and in securing
the sympathy Of those who have taken part
in it.
Unity of spirit and action begets strength,
and strength is one of the chief factors of
efficiency, A pastor who determines that.
the moral and spiritual welfare Of his peo-
pie shall receive his constant devotion, and
who gives them the best and most earnest
efforts of which he is capable. and who la
oors to bring his people to the same concep-
Jon of duty as to himself and as to each
1ther, will find his relation one of the most
effective upon earth.
Religious conversation and inquiry with
his people, both in and out of the church,
may be used by the pastor as an element OF
the relation here discussed. II
The question of the conferences RESPONSE
bility concerning the Indebtedness of the
Hallowell Classical School was finally set-
tied. 1t was decided that while the confer
ence was not responsible for the schools
debts, yet inasmuch as it has encouraged the
institution and has been understood to be be-
hind it, some course should be taken to re-
lieye the school, as far as possible, from its
debt, and committee was appointed to de-
wise some course of action,
The conference elected the following Off
GERS for the ensuing year:
Moderator-C. g. McCully, Calais; Recording
I, Duren, Bangor; Corresponding
Secretary-Charles IL. Pope, Kennebunkport;
Treasurer, s. Wheelwright Bangor; Auditor
William s. bennett, Bangor.
The usual committees were appointed.
Rev. B. p. Snow was elected secretary of
Sunday schools. The conference closed to-
NIGHT