The Portland daily press., 1891-06-17
fulness of the dear departed brethren by the

tulneSS OF the dear departou Diosnicn Dy the
moderator.
The report of the treasurer, Hon.. ]. S.
Wheelwright of Bangor, was maue. showing
that the current expenditureS OF the confer
ence had been substantially covered by the
county conferences, except small balance
due the national council, IN Iesar9 70 which
some misunderstanding seems to have exist
ed. A special committee, Rev. LII. Bowler.
Rev. Chas. Dawson and Rev: Y. +. Bur-
roughs, was appointed on relation Of this
conference to the national council.
other Services Of the Day.
The devotional service of the afternoon
session was conducted by Rev. X. @. Har-
butt of Searsport The annual conference
sermon was then given by Rev. Dwight NJ.
Pratt of Portland. The preacher raised the
question whether the individual or the
church be able to successfully resist the
spirit of the age and to rise above environ
ment.
The discourse dealt with the central prin-
ciple of Christianity, the possibility of new
life in the individual, lie, In the power of
which secular checks. hindrances and hos
tilities can be truly overcome.
and admirable" discourse. 1t was replete
with thought, superior In style and power
full In its great inferences from the central
theme.
The communion service followed the an
nual sermon. At the table Rev; j. X: Ma
Lewis of South Berwick presided.
The closing hour was occupied with dis
cussion Of great interest at these times,
"Church Membership" The conditions of
per of marked ability by Rev. G. Ill. Cutler of
Bangor. He insisted that the present cur
rent written creed as test of membership Is
not seriptual, not evangelical and nos; even
Congregational. The terms Of admission to
the church should be the simplest terms of
salvation.
The "privileges' of membership were con-
sidered by Rev. A. I'll. Wright of Portland.
Membership opens the way into the house.
hold Of faith as house. to the soul. It en-
sures the fellowship of believers with its
wealth Of delights 1t brings the Christian
within the circle of the unctuous inspirations
and joys OF the realized life. The power
and grace OF the sacraments cannot we'll be
oyer.rated. and they convey spiritual and
church work is not slight advantage.
Rev. A. f. Dunnells Of Bath spoke with
effect of the Responsibilities" of member
ship in the church. The central idea of the
responsibility of the church member is this,
that church members are the body OF Christ,
the instrument by which our Lord is to do
His work in the world. Here we have the
dignity, the breadth and the blessedness of
responsibility as disciples of Christ.
Inc formal papers were followed by hve
minutes speeches. Rev. Lauriston Reynolds
and Rev. b. H. Pope believed that our creeds
interpose no real obstacle to admssio into
our churches.
Rev. Mr.. Wright endorsed the idea of the
paper presented by Mr.. Cutter. Rev. Geo.
Lewis believed that the creed is good docu-
ment to work towards rather than point of
departure to work FROM.
Rev. DIR. Mason. Clinton A. Woodbury.,
Rev. Mr.. Williamson of Augusta, Rev. Mr..
jenkins Of Gardiner and others, participated
in the lively, sharp and significant discus
sion.
more than usually interesting for missionary
addresses, and upon this subject Rev. l.. H.
Cobb, DID,, of New York; Rev. Geo. N.
Gutterson Of India. and Rev. W. G. Puddle
foot U. s. A., addressed the meeting.