The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-09-22

/ nAOAAoWco tluUS UuTouBuOuu Guo EOom
Rev. J. A. Williamson of Augusta
is moderator for 1897, and Rev. G. d.
Crane of Machias is stated clerk. After
singing the hymn beginning "The
Church's one foundation the modera-
tor read an appropriate passage of Scrip
ture.
Prayer was offered by Rev. ]. J. Mer-
rill, D. D. of Scarbroro.
The committee upon credentials was
appointed by the chairman Woodbury. Of
Bethel and Rev. Messrs. Newcomb OF
Richmond and Curtis of Brownville.
The neurology was then read by Re-
cording Secretary Cousins. Only three
Maine clergymen have died, and of these
only one was in the active service, viz
Rev. G. E. Harwood of Cranberry Isles.
The others were Rev. j. d. Emerson,
once of Biddeford, and Dr.. Tappan OF
Norridgewock. Fourteen have died out
side of the state of Maine who have been
more or less connected with the confer.
ence. DIR. G. Fl. Wheeler, the noted for
eign missionary in Turkey; Rev. Benja
min Dodge, the intrepid A. NJ. A. mis-
sionary; DR.. FL. L. Cheever of Worohes.
| 0oi, ulo pun cCI dAUl-oldtcIy tll0 USIuDGI-
ance agitator; Rev. Merrill Blanchard
once at Biddeford. who died at Stone.
ham, VT. Rev. Mark Gould, formerly OF
Andover and other places; Rev. A. FL
Tyler, once of Falmouth, South Freepor,
and other churches; Rev. Lincoln Har.
low, all of whose work was outside of the
state; Rev. W. Fl. Beard, Rev. Jesse
Folsom, H. E. Parker, D. D., Rev. N
Richardson, Rev. G. Spaulding, Rev
W.gK. Pierce. Ten ministers wives have
died, Mrs. Thayer Mrs. Spofford, Mrs.
Bliss of Constantinople, an honored
member of the Second Parish church
Portland, and the wives of Rev. N. Lin.
coin and Rev. Fl. L. Beach.
After the reading Of the neurology the
hymn, "Hark, hark my soul, Angelic
songs are smiling" was sung.
| The time had now arrived for the
preaching of the conference sermon by
Prof. II. l.. Chapman, D. D. of Bruins.
wick.
Prof. . . Chapman spoke as follows:
| PROF. CHAPMAN'S SERMON.
To this end was I born, and for this
cause came 1 into the world, that
might bear witness unto the truth.-John
18: 81.
This conference has no lower object,
and no other object, than to seek the IL
Elimination Of Christ's Spirit, and, un.
der that illumination, to consult for the
interests of his kingdom. It aims not to
discuss dogmas, but to deepen faith; not
to busy itself with disturbing specula-
tions, but to find motives and methods
for increasing the efficiency of Christian
service. At the threshold of these meet
ings, any utterance OF the Master that
helps us to fix our thoughts upon him,
and to enter into the secret of his grace
and power, may fifty engage our atten.
tion. The text is such an utterance, and
in it Jesus gives, with as much explicit
ness rs authority, the reason for his ap
pearance among men, and the purpose OF
his ministry.
The words were spoken in the judgment
hall of Pilate. Outside was the mad
dened throng of the Jews, refusing to en-
ter because they wished to keep them
selves undef1led from the atmosphere O
the Roman Judgment hall in order thai
they might worthily eat the Passover
Within sat Pilate, the august representa-
tive Of Caesar, who would not allow tht
despised Jews to have any king but him
self Before PLATE stood Jesus, claimins