Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-10-24
OXFORD CONFERENCE.


County Conference Of Congregational
Churches was held with the church Mt
South Paris, Tuesday and Wednesday,
Oct. IL aud IL. Deacon ii. y. Bolster
was moderator and Deacon w. Ill. last
man scribe. The weather was every
thing that could be desired, the welcome
cordial and the services Interesting.
Rev. j. y. Adams, ID. d., led the de-
yotional exercises, and the sermon by
Rev. Israel Jordan Of Bethel, from the
text, Matt. . 10, "Do men gather grapes
Of thorns. or figs of thistlesy' was the
keynote Of the interesting discussion
that followed. Subject, "Conduet Test
Of Character"
Tuesday afternoon social service was
led by Rev. A. ID. Pstten OF Gorham, N.
III. Discussion, "what constitutes an
effective church," Rev. Ii. ). RideOut
of Norway said an assemblage OF believ-
ers with a pastor, who must be leader,
not driver. lie must be filled with the
HOLY Ghost; must believe Christ the
Saviour and Redeemer OF the world
must not be controlled by a few; must
not have favorites; must take notice OF
the poor as well as Of the rich; must be
a man Of prayer and feel the burden OF
souls, and that he bears message from
God To them. The church must realize
that IL stands for the body OF Christ ;
must draw nourishment from him; there
must be a vital union with Christ; the
church must be intensely In earnest;
must care for the young; must not have
a Tule-or-ruin party; must do It's busi-
ness on business principles; must make
a warm welcome for all; must be filled
with the Holy Ghost.
"what does the pulpit have q right to
demand Of the pewsy Rev. j. Il. Car
ruthers Of Gorham, n. H., said: proper
financial support; continuous Work;
sympathy; compsnionship; patient
waiting for maturity of his plans; sup
plementing Of his labors; honesty.
"what does the pew expect OF the pull
pity' l.. W. Woodbury. Of Bethel said:
The pew expects the pastor to be n man,
citizen; the Bible a revelation OF good
will To man, not q teacher Of astronomy,
geology or philosophy. Do not expect
him to point out Its seeming contradie-
tions, to criticise this or that man, this
or that creed, but that man needs saliva
ton, and that faith In Christ IL the only
hope of lost man. Expect him to feel
that he IL an ambassador for Christ and
brings his message from him, not from
the teachings OF any man or any institu-
ton Of learning. A thorough prepara-
ton for the pulpit service, In reading the
scriptures, the hymns aud the delivery
of his message aud In prayer, persusding
men to be reconciled To God. Expect him
to be AN example to his people and an
earnest and jealous worker, ever pre-
seuting his own views Of truth without
comparing them unfavorably with
Others.
DIR. J. T.. Adams. State Missionary
Wilson, Rev. s. y. York, and Brothers
Sewall and Eastman OF Sumner Joined In
the discussions.
A praise service Tuesday evening was
led by Rev. 3. n. York, Oxford Confer
ence missionary, with Miss Plummer OF
south Paris presiding at the organ.
An address by Rev. j. L.. Jenkins OF
Portland, "rhe Use Of the Best" was
replete with interest, elevating In char.
acter, and eloQuently delivered to q
crowded house, who showed their APP
probation by q unanimous vote OF
thanks.
Wednesday morning = devotional
service led by Rev. y. v. Norcross Of
Andoyer was full of interest. Reports
from the churches were full Of encour.
agement; and Missionary York gave .
very hopeful account Of his work.
The discussion Of the question, SHOW
can the Sunday school be made more
effective In its instruction. In Its spirit |
usl powery' WAS ably carried out by
Rev. Messrs. Norcross, llaughton and
Rideout, and DIR. Holt Of Berlin, y. H., |
In which they earnestly pointed out the |
necessity Of thorough preparation, and
an earnest desire on the part OF superin- |
tendent aud teachers To save souls.
Wednesday afternoon an excellent |
sermon was delivered by Rev. J. b.
OF Gorham, ". H., from the
text, Luke o %, "And she rose and MIN
lstered unto them" Subject, "Servlce
the Hlghest Honor Conferred on Man."
The sacrament Of the Lords supper fol-
lowed, Rev. II. 8. Rldeout and Rev.
Israel Jordan presiding ut the table.
thus ended one Of the most Interesting
and helpful sessions Of the conference,
after passing Q vote OF thanks to the
Grand Trunk Railway for reduction OF
fares, the organlst and the church and
,ocIety Of south Paris for their cordial
welcome and bountlful hospitality.
K. W. WOODBURY..