The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-05-30
Please give my affectionate Christian saluta-
lions to all the brethren present, and my God
speed for them in their work.


Prof. Hineks, of Andover, writes
Let me extend my hearty thanks TO
the active members of the Cumberland Asso-
citation for their invitation to the coming centen-
NAL celebration. 1t would give me pleasure to
express my respect for the venerable fraternity
and my gratitude for many pleasant hours passed
at its meetings by being present. But am UNI
able to do so, and must content myself by wishing
the brethren happy reunion, and large success
in their future endeavOrs to maintain a high
standard of ministerial culture.
Rev. Henry p. Loring of Winthrop, writes
NV "Reminiscences" of Cumberland AsSocia
ton is one OF SURPRISING Interest. 1t was band
of precious and able men in the years of 1857 and
1855, when my connection was with 1t.
Rev. William Warren once made this re-
mark in my hearing:
81 have travelled much in New England and at
tended ministerial associations In many Of these
States, and deem the Cumberland Association
to be the ablest ministerial association in the New
England States.".
From Rev. A. William Fske of Penacook,
N. H.. sar
My residence in Maine as professed minister
of Christ was above twenty years. The changes
In the Cumberland Association since left Maine
es neaTy al away O Snd s g.
VINO are personally strangers to me, have taken
their places: II would afford me much
pleasure TO be present at the centennial did cir
cumstances permit, but age admonlshes me that
the end of life's journey cannot be far away.
await the appointed event with humble and Joy
attend the centennial, and rest upon all the men,
bership OF the Association and their respective
pastoral charges.
From Rev. J. @. Bittinger of Haverhill,
N. H.:
Your kind Invitation TO be present at the CEN
tennial of Cumberland Association is received and
nothing would give me greater pleasure than to
comply with your wishes. But my health, many
Years an Invalid, makes 1t impossible. But your
"reminiscences. Cumberland Association when |
knew 1t. and before and after, was body of most
able and conspicuous ministers. Few that were
are now, but If there are any of the old band
present OF 20 years ago. send them my sincerest
Christian regards, and wish for the association
continued usefulness and glorious success.
From Rev. Z. p. Thwing of Brooklyn, N,
Y:
DR.. Z. p living, a former scribe of the Associa-
of thirty years ago In this city and vicinage
gen leman, clear, cogent and inesive as preach
whose red cheeks and twlnkllng eyes brought
cheers to my table, where he did so much enjoy
recx reanr wngse Ra1ap sayings would
called him, for his deslrod doctrate came so late
that it was called an act of extreme Junction.
Merrill of the Bethel, Henry Storer, Daniel Pick
ara, 1eorge ADAM, the sweet singer, who used to
divide with me the work Of leading song in asso-
and sincere; Father Tappan Broughton, Balkan,
Madoogh, lisiey. the Tenneys, PacRards and
Tburstons, long since gone to the seecter circle
above, the recollection of each and all is sweet,
noisy years.
Professor Thwing referred to the changes in
social and civic life the increased hurry and wor-
ry OF work, with the imperative and impairment
clang of the telephone breaking in on the clergy
mans study hours or domestic privacy; the abbre-
Walton ofhe associational exercises and omission
OF the monthly exchange OF Portland pastors as
related to the mutual acquaintance and intimacy
between pastors and churches.
Letters were also received from Rev. e. F.
Borchers of Alton, N. H.; Rev. II. H. Os-
good of Plainville. Mass. Rev, Moseley H.
Williams of Philadelphia, Pa; and Rev. j.
Torrey of Bar Harbor; but we have not
space for further extracts; but all breathed
the same spirit of affectionate remembrance
of the association and interest in its work.
Rev. DR.. Barbour was called upon and in
brief remarks referred to various members
Of the association of whom he spoke in
terms Of warm appreciation.
He was followed by Rev. Mr. Harlow of
Bangor, who spoke of his pleasant connec-
tion with the association. Others followed,
Revs. Messrs. Ilsley, Loring. Warren,
Wright and Snow.
1t was voted to appoint the following
three ministers Of Portland a committee to
superintend the publication of the historical
address in pamphlet form, and of such other
matter with it as the committee might think
best, viz: Revs, Messrs. Hallock, Daniels
and Wright, Adjourned with prayer by
Rev. Mr.. Wilson Of Woodfords. After the
adjournment an abundant collation. was
served in the vestry of the church.
Afternoon Session.
The afternoon session was opened with
singing, Rev. Mr.. Daniels presiding Rev.
j. B. Carruthers read from the Scriptures,
and Rev. L. Reynolds offered prayer. Pro-
fessor Egbert G. Smyth, d. D., Of Andover
Theological Seminary, was then introduced
by the moderator,
PROF. sMYTHE's SERMON.
Rom. viii; 49, For aohom He did torekao,c
He also did predestiR0te to be c0nformed to
,frst-born among nadny brethren. The apostle
Is speaking of those who love God. God has
a purpose for every such person, viz, to con-
form him to the image of his Son. Scholars
schema. The latter is rendered in our New
Testament, fashion," the other by the
word "form," ''conformed to-" etc. One
denotes what is outward and accidental; the
other what is intrinsic and essential Re-
ligion, as the Apostle describes it in the text
Is not a fleeing fashion of life, but spirit
ual form of life, character conformed to an
ideal, an inner and abiding reality
The word Image" expresses the revela-
ton God makes of Himself in Christ. To be
conformed to this image is to receive what
He expresses of Gods thoughts, affection,
purposes. This Is to be ours inalienably and
forever. 1t is to be the very form" Of our
being. Every Christian is to catch and hold
that one image, as waters not too broken and
disturbed reflect myriad images of the sun,
yet each surface holds perfect reflection.
In the word "predestinate" is given assur-
ance of the certainty of the result. 1t is a
word of sovereign power. In no other rela-
ton does the power of God seem so great.
We have sense Of it in this miracle of
nature, the mysterious something in spring.
tide which bears irresistibiy to us the sug
gestion of unmeasured energies of life. Per
haps we are more deeply impressed by some
single disclosure of power, as when watch
ing stofm-lashed waves from some sea-ward
cliff, or the resolution OF thin ethereal mist
into orbs Of systems reaching out into inf
mite spaces. Yet in no such moments of awe
do we have such a revelation of power as in
this assurance of Gods design for those that
love Him. Its specficness amazes us. We
are not told that somehow evil shall be over
ruled, that in some way moral order shall be
restored, but that In every Christian a par
ticular result is to be secured, pattern
worked, design fulfilled which was formed
in the beginning and is executed through the
ages. We estimate power by its materials.
There is higher power in governing men
than in controlling sheep and oxen. There
is loftier genius in the drama or the epic
than in song or architecture. The greatest
painters have depicted persons and personal
action rather than waters and woodlands
Power eliminates in persons, in God the
absolute person, and the most wonderful
revelation of power known to us Is this
bringing innumerable sons into conformity
to the one Archetype,
Objection is sometimes made to the idea of
an Incarnation that 1t is incongruous with a
reasonable conception of the Infinite One.
In the same way the Cross of Christ as a
veritable altar on which the Eternal Son
offered a sacrifice which has power in all
worlds is criticised as an irrational concep-
ton. But in the Scriptures the stupendons-
ness of these realities is matched not only
over against the dark mystery of evil, but
also over against the marvellous glory of
the contamination, We can easily see that
1t Is not incredible that the infinite Father of
all should form a design of c0nsummate
blessedness for His children. But in view of
the moral evil in the universe, the tremen-
dous forces of worldliness and selfishness, it
is mystery to reason how such an issue
can be wrought out. The stupendousness of
the mysteries of Incarnation and Atone-