The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-01-24
c,meRLANp CONFERENCE.
r. 9th Session Of the organlza-
ton Held Yesterday.

ale 14Oth session Of this organization
.enei yesterday morning In the West
n-rch, Rev. S. X. Perkins, pastor This
body is composed Of representatives from
several churches. the individual church be-
ing the primary element In the
conference which is truly popular in its In
tent and organization. By action Of the
churches, membership, ex-officio, is allowed
to pastors, and by quite recent action, to
Sunday School superintendents. The re-
naming portion Of the official membership
is made up Of delegates chosen for each ses-
sion of the conference by the churches.
The audience, always large at these gath
erings, yesterday morning filed the church,
which was crowded in the afternoon and
evening. The services opened with prayer
by Rev. E. P. Wilson of Woodfords, who
was chosen moderator and presided through
the session. Rev. E. NJ. Cousins of Cumber-
land, is the efficient scribe Of the conference.
In the absence of Rev. Arthur Smith Of
Scarboro, the appointee, a devotional service
was connected by Rev. F. Southworth.
The first regular topic, 'The Relations Of
Christian Doctrine to Character and Life"
was introduced by terse, well written pa
per by Deacon p. c. Pinkham Of the Second
Parish, Portland. He was followed by Rev.
| f. T. Bayley, who denounced the popular
notion that it makes no difference what a
man believes il his life be fair. Rev. L. H
Hallock considered the only true life as the
efflorescense Of wholesome sound belief.
The truth intelligently believed was by
Rev. A. II. Wright regarded as the great
means of building up the church. Remarks
of interest were added by Rev. f. Sou tn
worth and by ole of the lady delegates.
| The second theme Of discussion, the coun-
| terpart OF the first was The influence OF a
Mans Character upon His Belief" 1t was
presented by Mr.. G. A. Woodbury. Of Port
| land. The ground taken and maintained
i was that as character makes the man in 9th
| er lines, 1t largely shapes his religion.
| Rev. Z. M. Cousins followed with the view
that our deeds really settle some Of the great.
/ est aud most tremendous issues Of our lives.
In the general discussion Of both topics
Deacon Percy, of the Second Parish thought
the faith in Christ to be the life blood, and
that it is high time that this matter Of sound
belief should have the attention OF the
church. Mr.. Varnum, Of Cumberland Mills,
took strong ground In favor Of beliefs hay
ing great weight in shaping practice.
Mr.. Graham, Of Cumberland Mills, foTclbly
emphasized the Importance Of unity Of belief
|. DR.. Warren, Of the Mirror, said the sub
ject Of the interaction OF belief and con-
duct Is one Of great breadth, and we
should be careful in personal application,
about harsh or indiscriminate judgments.
We especially need here to remember the
decal0gue of charity.
Mr.. ]. j. Gerrish added some interesting
remarks on the point that there can be no
divorce between real faith and true action.
mans belief settles the question OF the
| mans galVafiOD fhQ n0qifiOn nf DnafOu
Graham OF Cumberland Mills.
AFTERN DON SESSION.
The devotional service preceding the con-
ference sermon was conducted by Rev. ]. Z,
Adams, D. d., secretary Of the Maine Mis-.
sionary Society. The discourse, bas on
Acts s 1, was given by Rev. j. G. vs. son o.
Portland. His theme was spiritual lower.
At the communion table Rev. Up. Warren
d. D., and Rev. w. II. Haskell, presided.
On the resumption Of the order Of bushes
the committee on nominations reported a
follows: Place Of next meeting in June
Cumberland Mills, preacher, Rev. Z. 4. Ba
con, Saccarappa; alternate, Rev. +. South
worth. Portland. The programme at thl
closing hour Of the afternoon session eallet
Tor the discussion OF "The divine method o.
promoting revival Of religion This topiI
was treated In an address by Rev: w. H
i a
ing a revival Is first of all the awakening Of
the church and through 1t the awakening o.
the unsayed.
In the absence Of Rev. g. w. Reynolds
the next topic, "The method Of revivals In
our own times" was considered by Rev. A
FL. Wright. The history of the church In
our land shows that periods Of revival have
been decided feature Of religious progress.
There Is need Of humiliation and prayer
with ministers and churches. Honest preach
ing, earnest prayer, and new sense Of the
need Of salvation, with those we may have q
revival, without them no revival.
Secretary Adams addressed the conference
at the invitation Of the moderator. When
the church Is OF one accord, In one place
waiting for the power and work OF the spirit,
that work will come.
Rev. G. ii. Gates of Limington, said II we
are willing to let down the net when Jesus
directs US, we shall find 1t will be abund
Rev. E. NJ. Cousins thought our churches
are In danger OF standing in the way OF
revivals.
EVENING SESSION.
Rev. B. p. Snow of Willard, conducted the
prayer service. A brief but very interest
ing address from Secretary Adams, followed
in which he spoke of new work opening be
fore the Maine Missionary Society, especial
ly in Aroostook county.
The theme Of discussion for the eveninI
hour was individual Responsibility. Mr.
III. III. Burgess Of Portland, considered "A
Mans Responsibility for His Own Conyer
sion;" Rev. l.. III. Hallock continued thu
discussion. Responsibility for the Conver
sion Of Others" formed the theme Of re
mark by DIR. Carleton Kimball OF Deering .anC
Rev. E. p. Wilson, Mr.. Shsylor and Deacon
Abbott, followed.
The thanks Of the conference were ex
tended to the West Church and people fol
abundant hospitalities, and to the railroads
for courtesies. The next session will be helt
at Cumberland Mills in June.