The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-10-29
CHURCHES IN CONFERENCE.
senI-AnnusI Meeting OF the Cum
berland congreGatIonaIIsts.


The semiannual meeting Of the Cumber-
land Congregational conference was held at
High street church yesterday. Rev. DIR.
Merrill was elected moderator. Rev. E. z.
Wilson offered prayer.
In the absence Of Raw. f. K. Bacon, Rev.
K. p. Wilson opened the discussion. "Stan-
dards Of Christian Living" The speaker
thought that church members ought to have
higher standards Of righteousness, higher
than the world about us, which we ought 10
carry into business relations. Lecky tells OF
the rapid progress which the church made In
its earliest growth, and he gives as the reason
that the early church was so manifestly
above the world. The church was mighty
aud powerful In those early years. Now It
Is almost impossible to tell a church member
from moral man. Those Of us who bear
the sacred name OF Christ ought to have
higher standards than the community about
US.
The discussion was continued by Rev.
| Messrs. Wright and Bayley.
Rev. Mr.. Wheelwright deplored the Sun
| day excursions In the gulse Of attending holt
ness meetings. We want a pure morality 10
| the church OF Christ.
Rsys. A. M. Wright. E. NJ. Cousins and
Mr.. J. x. Libby were appointed committee
Rev. ID. M. Pratt next considered money
IN It's Relation TO the Kingdom OF Christ"
Ii we look at 1t In Its general sense, the sil-
yer and gold are Christs. Man Is simply a
steward. In Its specific sense the financial
problem Is a very Important one In its rela-
tlen 30 the spiritual problem. Man makes
money, but money never makes man, The
financial problem Is spiritual problem also.
IL business man Is a child OF God he gives
portion OF his wealth TO the Kingdom Of
God. He holds the same relation to God
that the preacher d0es-the one q literary
production, the other a material element
Money Is necessary to do the work In the
church-the work for Christ.
The Afternoon EdeeiIng.
At the afternoon session the convention
sermon was preached by Rev. d. M. Pratt.
who took his taxi from Mark. .-Ia,46.-.Ear
even the Son of Man coma not to bs minis
tered unto, but to minister and to give his
life ransom OF mercy" The speaker
thought that In our own times men are groa-
Ing selfish. There Is too much desire for self
qualification. The trend Is toward eentrall-
izatiOn. The great wealth OF this country Is
not used for the public good. but for the FUR
ther enrichment Of private individuals.
Self.lOve dlsplaces divine authority, With
all our wealth and glory We must not sup
pose the United States Is the climax Of histc-
ry. No talisman protects us as a republic.
All possessions should be for use. All en-
dowments for service. What is society, but
the aggregation Of individuals? Are we liv-
Ing for self and Ignoring the needs OF others?
True greatness Is prOportlOned to service.
The grandest achievement we can make Is to
lead some soul into the largeness Of Gods
thoughts.
After some discussion, a resolution was
adopted that parts should not be assign.
ed to members and printed in the pro.
grammes OF the meetings until such mem
Ders had been notified and had accepted the
appointments.
"Simpler creeds as conditions to church
membership" was discussed by Rev. Mr..
Bayley, who said he would say at the begin
ming, and very emphatically, that he was
not saying anything against creeds. He con-
sidered them important. But there are
creeds aud creeds. The use of creed Is yery
Important as test for those who are 10
teach. The church of Christ Is a body of
disciples, family, school. The only
thlng we require OF the child when he enters
school, Is his confession Of Ignorance and his
Willingness to obey the rules Of the school,
There Is no suggestion OF an elaborate creed
10 the simpler declaration Of Christ, LET
all the disciples required.
The TOPIC was further considered by Rev.
Dr. Merrill, Rev. A. II. Wright and others.
Deacon S. w. Larrabee offered prayer, and
the conference took recess till evening.
In the evening.
The topic THE Christian home as Center
OF lnfluencs" was considered by Rev, DR..
Merrill.
The discussion was continued by Rev.
Messrs. Bayley and Wilson. "rhe Influence
OF the Bible on National Life was ably dis
eussed by Rsvs, A. II. Wright and G. NJ.
Reynolds.
The next meeting will be held In January,
with WillistGn.
These resolutions were unanimously
adopted:
Whereas; In the providence Of God, our DO
loved associate, the Rev Frank I. Bayley has re-
ceiyed and accepted call to another field Of la
la nj
Cumberland Conference, assembled, recognizing
the prospect OF his near removal from our midst
do cause II TO be
Resolved That we herewith express our deep
US Of a brother greatly beloved and esteemed, one
VINO has eheerfully DO urne his art In laD0rS ana
burdens OF this cOnfere nee, aud has ever been u
| comforter OF his brethren in the ministry and q
helper OF ali the churches.
ResolVed, That we express our high apprecia-
tiOn OF his fidelity. DOlduesS aud ability as a
preacher OF the gospel and OF the spiritual power
OF ms ministry la Portland, where he has been
for nearly nine years, personally and prominently
Identified with the highest moral interests of the
city.
Resolved. That we extend our sympathy to the
State street church, whion Is by his removal ae-
prved Of devoted and beloved pastor; and
that we also extend 10 the Park avenue church in
Denver, Col, our cordial congratulations ON their
good fortune In securing Brother Bayley a. their
their love ana support as a true servant OF our
Common LORD, praying that he MAJ hnd In que
time as large place In their hearts as he has
won In ours.
Resolved, That the prayers OF the churches OF
Cumberland Conference do follow him for his lar
gest scecess and greatest Joy In his new field of
labor.