The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-01-23
CUMBERLAND CONFER ENCE
Vet at the Warren Street Church in
MeStbrO0k.

Soul winning" Was the Special Topic
of the Conference Service Lasted All
Day.
The Cum berland Conference of Congre-
gatlonai churches met at Warren Congre-
gational church, Cumberland Mills at
$50 a. n. yesterday. 1t WAS attended by
a large number of clergynnen and mem
bers Of the Cong egatlonal body. The
meeting opened with devotional service
by Rev. W. 6. Mann, pastor Of the
church Rev. E. P. Wilson, of Wood
folds, oficiated as moderator, and spoke
insapproyal of the subject chosen for
consideration by the present conference /:
''Soul Winning" Before proceeding to
the regular programme Of exercises Rev.
Mr.. Harlow and others offered up prayers
and the congregation joined in singing
q hymn.
On the application of it's delegates rep
resented by Rev. H. II. Hutchinson,
the Bethany Congregational church of
South Portland was then admitted to
AZ oiAO SSAlCASa GO.
Rev. E. NJ. Cousins introduced the
first discussion, "The Relation of Home
Influence to Soul-Winning He ex-
planned that the Lord had designed tho
home to be the chief influence in the aid
religion, that it existed before the
Church was established, and the heads Of
households were the first priests, The
influence Of the home could be made
powerful agency for good or for bad.
The question was how to utilize the pow
er of the home in leading souls to Christ.
The best way he saw was to endeavor
to make the heads of every household
practical Christians who upheld Chris
tianity both by precept and example.
He cited several instances in proof of
this fact. He also suggested several means
for promoting Christianity in the home
circle; and urged the eoessity of regu-
lar attendance Of the family at Church
on Sunday. He adverted to the import
anee of only edifying literature being
read in the home, and the desirabiIity of
the weekly visit to 1t of a genuine re-
ligious newspaper. In conclusion he de-
ciared that anything that initiated
against this good influence of the home
was hostile to the nation, to mankind
and to the church Of God.
The discussion was followed by the
singing of hymn. and remarks were
made by Raw. E. A. Harlow of Windham
the subject of Rev. E. M. Cousins's
discourse. Rev. E. P. Wilson spoke next
Oh tia "Place of the Sunday School in
Soul Winning" and made many sugges-
tions for increasing their usefulness in
leading the young into the right path
He explained the abiding influence of
early teaching upon children, and the vi
tai Importance of Christian teaching in
their early years. After hymn was
sung remarks upon the subject dis
cussed were made by members of the
cor gregation.
Rev. j. L. Jenkins, D. D., of Port
land, then spoke Oh the subject, Chow
shall the ordinary Church services help
to reach menp He began by saying
that the early instruction of children de.
yolved first upon their parents. The
work of the Sunday school ought to be
with DOOR children who were without
the advantage of good Christian parents
He prnoeeded 80 discuss the various
methods adapted to reaching men of
different characters, and the necessity of
ii clergyman unde, standing the real ma
tire and disposition of the me bers of
his congregation if he wishes 20 exercise
an influence over them for good. He ad-
vised the adoption Of the principles given
by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount,
as the best way to approach men and win
them to God. He recommended t lis AL
Justment of Church services to the es-
psoial needs of the congregation and the
hour, and the cultivation Of the Unborn
spirit Of reverence in the human soul.
He urged fidelity and diligence in pastors
il their work and counselled their appeal
TO the intelligence Of their hearers The
eloquent doctor concluded by declaring
that the duty Of outstanding the world
depended chiefly on parents, and upon
home influence.
The afternoon session was opened BY
devotional service by Rev. j. e. Aiken.
The discussion Of Special Revival Ser
vices followed, In which Rev. c. e. An
drews spnbe on "Evangelists in Church
Work, Rev. j. G. Merrill, D. D., on
How to Gain Permanent Results from
Special Services" Mr.. D. p. Hatch on
Work of the Maine Missionary Society.
Rev. G. E. Mckinley delivered a sermon,
and communion service was held.
At the evening session Deacon W. 2.
Varnum conduote praise service, and
Rev. Geo. W. Reynolds deliverd an ad-
dress.
ZRVS fa-