The Republican journal., 1898-10-20
Waldo County Congregational Con-
ference.

ference.
The semi-annual meeting of the Waldo
county conference of Congregational church
es was held with the church in North Bel
fast, Oct. 11th and 10Th. The conference
was called to order by Rev. r. G. Harbutt
moderator, at . o'clock p. NJ. The moder-
ator led in praise and devotional service,
after which the records of the previous
meeting were read by the scribe Rev. G. S.
Mills. At the roll. call of churches large del
egations reported from Belfast, Searsport,
Jackson, Frankfort and Searsport Harbor.
Delegates from other churches were deter
red from coming owing to the threatening
aspect of the weather.
The first topic for discussion, "The Busi-
ness Management of Church was ably
presented by Rev. R. G. Harbutt of Sears
port. Among other things he said: Church
records ought to be kept in business-like
way. There is woeful lack in this regard in
some churches. A church ought not to run
in debt. A church with $500 assets should
not contract,a debt of s. 900. 1t should be
run on business basis as a man conducts
his private business. The church often ig-
nores its business relations. General dis
cussion followed.
Rev. Geo. 5. Mills presented the topic,
"The Church and the Lodge" He said he
had no quarrel with secret societies. He
believed in them to certain degree and had
had pleasure in addressing them. Secrecy
is not necessarily reprehensible. The church
is first and greatest, but the lodge is put
first by many men. What is the matter? :?
Why is the church where it is? Why is the
lodge more successful in holding the men
Is the church's ideal too high? Is the trou-
BILE with churches or with the men them
selves What should be the relation of the
minister to the lodge? Should he be mem
How can we induce the men to take more
interest in the church The attitude should
not be antagonstlc it must be sympathetic
and cooperative. Nothing can be substitut-
ed for the church, A lively discussion fol-
lowed, in which many took part.
Mr.. w. r. Howard of Belfast had for
subject, "The Problem of the Sunday
Sunday school because they want to be
there. Teachers ought to feel their respon-
sibility. There should be a library in every
school. Officers ought to be people who have
the interest of the school at heart. Many of
our pupils are sent instead of coming of their
own accord. Teachers do not do the work
as they ought to do it. Teachers should be
is necessary for the pupils to study their
lessons. We are too complacent about our
Sunday schools. This topic evoked lively
discussion.
Rev. f. S. Dollitf briefly considered the
topic, The Problem of church services"
Some churches have too many services.
Some of the churches in Waldo county do
not have enough services. Two or three
services on Sunday are enough for pastor
and people. Tie Conference then adjourned
until evening service.
The evening services We're opened with a
lively praise service led by w. G. Hatch,
with Geo. [. Hatch, organist. Prayer was
offered by Rev G.. S. Mills.
Rev. c ?. Marshall OF Frankfort thought
fully reviewed Sheldon's I'm His Steps !"
Able and thoughtful papers We're given
from the subject, "What would Jesus do, -
/. In business, H. NJ. Prentiss; ,. AS a cti-
zen, W, S. Hatch 3, In social life, Mrs Ed
ward Sibley. Discussion followed After
prayer by Rev. Geo. S. Mills the conference
stood adjourned for the day.
Wednesday morning revealed the fact that
most of the delegates from Belfast and
Searsport had returned home the night be-
fore, leaving small company to conduct the
exercises. A prayer and praise service was
held at o'clock. led by W. G. Hatch, fol
lowed by business. Rev G. S. Mills gave a
brief resume of the work of the State con-
ference.
Many practicable suggestions were made
from the subject THE outlook for the year .
How do more aggressive work 2"
The sermon which was to have been
preached by Rev. c. p. Marshall was omit
ted on account of the bad condition of Mr.
Marshall's throat.
The closing exercises consisted of COM
munion service conducted by Rev F. S.
Dollitf, assisted by deacon W. S. Hatch. The
conference adjourned to meet in Belfast next
June. 1t was the opinion of many of the
visitors that the sessions of the conference
were as helpful and interesting as any they
had a f.r l,a,, +;, II