Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-09-13

The Baptists of oxford County met In
their annual Association meeting at Rum
ford Falls, Wednesday and Thursday,
Sept. and :. The attendance was large
throughout the meetings and the inter
est deep and spiritual, The delegates
and visiting members numbered about
$50, and AZ times the chapel was crowd
ed 10 its full capacity and the large hos
pitslity OF this youngest church in the
Association Was well tested. The Metho-
dist people aud the Universalist people
kindly opened their homes and greatly
assisted the Bsptists in entertaining
this unusually large number OF visitors.
The opening service Of praise and testi-
mony Al 1890 A. NJ, Wednesday, led by
Rev. \. G. Murray Of East sumner.
Moderator +. J. Ramsiell OF south
Paris, called the business meeting TO
order. These officers were elected for
the ensuing year;
Noierator-Rev T. J. RSmssleil. south Paris.
Clerk-Rev n. NJ. burlington. Canton.
Treasurer-Dea. Geo. Il. Crockett. south Paris
The forenoon service closed with
PRAYER by Rev. y. G. French of JAY.
2O0P. M.-Social service led BY Rev.
C.. W. Colby OF East Dixfield, who gave
an earnest talk on the thought, "Wsit-
ing on the Lord" About fifty brief
testimonies followed. The committees
were then announced.
The welcoming letter OF the Rumford
Falls church was read by Des. {. A.
Mixer.
The annual sermon by Rev. J. ID. Grs-
ham was from Hosea II. and the theme,
1.-The Secret OF a Revival.
Rev. T. j. Ramsdell WAS nominated 10
represent this Association on the Execu-
tive Committee of the State Convention.
Remarks on the work aud needs Of the
State Convention by Rev. Messrs. Rams
dell. Graham, burlington, Pratt, Chase
and French.
The afternoon service closed with
PRAYER by Rev. G.. b. Hannsford.
By the kindness of the officers OF the
Methodist church, the evening service
was held In their house of worship
Notwithstanding the heavy rain OF the
afternoon and early evening, the house
was well filed. The opening service,
Young peoples meeting, WAS led by Rev.
Mr.. Greene, supply OF the Bethel church.
Theme, Think on these things"
Very interesting addresses were given
on mission work At home and abroad oy
Mrs. Lucy Waterbury Of Boston, and
Rev. c. +. Meserve, u. D., president OF
Shaw | University, and the audience lis
tened aith rapt attention. This service
closed with the beneiiction BY Rev. j.
l.. Hoyle.
AT : 30 A. NJ, THURSDAY, the wOmAn's
meeting was held AZ the chapel, led by
Mrs. Tolmsn Of South Paris. Mr..
Waterbury spoke few moments az the
opening before going 20 the nine O'Clock
train. These officers OF the woman's
Missionary Society were elected:
Presldent-Mrs C. 4 Tolman, south Paris.
Vice -President-Mrs. Geo. ) Chase. Mechanic
Falls.
secretary snd Treasurer-Mrs. J. d. Graham.
Rumford Fails
At $50 A. NJ, there was social ser
vice led by Rev. +. NJ. Clay Of Nova
Scotia. Theme, I've are the light Of the
world"
Following this Was the reading Of the
letters from the churches OF Oxford As
ISOLATION. These indicated the hard
struggle OF the year with depression in
insnces and interest, yet many were still
hopeful Of better DAYS coming. Stats
tics gathered from these letters repre-
senting 20 churches, are a. follows
Baptized, y; received by letter, 20; by
experience, ); restored, |. Dismissed,
%; excluded, :; erased, IL; died %.
Present membership, ll43. SO far as
reported, benevolent contributions,
OIL SIS .65; home expenses, including
salaries, Sc, 1902. Number sunday
school scholars, l292; average attend
snee, ~. Money raised in Sunday
schools, Si3i 90.
Rev. a. q. Murray reported for CON-
mittee on obituaries.
Rev. VI. \. Roberts reported for CON-
mittee on Place and Preacher. Place 10
be arranged later. Rev. +. II. Pratt,
preacher. Rev. A. ID. GRAHAM, alter
nate.
In the afternoon. after traosaeting the
closing business Of the session, extend
ing vote OF thanks To the railroads for
reduced fares, 10 the Methodist church
for the use Of their house, and 20 the
church and people Of Rumford Falls for
their hospitality, a spirited social service
was led by Rev. +. VI. Clay.
This closed very successful and
profitable session Of oxford Baptist As
ISOLATION. MANY were the expressions
Of satisfaction with the meeting with the
youngest church of the Association,
which was characterized as the most
vigorous, active aud hopeful, and with
one exception, the leading church OF the
Association in Christian activity.