Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-06-18
CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE.

The Oxford Conference of Congrega
tional Churches met in annual session
with the church in South Paris las
week, the services beginning at 1913
Tuesday forenoon. Capt. H. N. Bolster
the moderator, presided at all the ses
si0ns.
The first session opened with shor
devotional service, following which bust
ness was transacted. The roll-cal
showed representatives present from tel
of the churches in the conference, ant
delegates from one or two others wer
reported on the way, and arrived later
These officers were chosen for the year
| Moderator-H. N. Bolfter, South Paris.
Scribe-W. H. Eastman, East sumner.
Treasurer, Assessor and Collector-H.
Bolster.
The rest of the forenoon session wa
devoted to sermon by Rev. B. s. Ride
out of Norway. Mr.. RideOut gave al
informal but extremely practical tall
from the text, "Let all things be done
decently and in order" He took as the
basis of his discourse the question, How
can church do larger and better work
| in the community? and in answer EN-
phasized these points: The community
should be shown that the church man
ages its affairs on strictly business prin
ciples; there should be better care fol
the children and more interest in them
and it is essential that we have no fac
tious in the church to lessen its useful
ness, but brotherly feeling should pre-
vail.
In the afternoon, after service. OF
prayer, Rev. Arthur Marley read an able
paper on 1.-THE Relation of the Church
to the Present Time" Mr.. Varley took
the ground that it was the mission of
the church, not to instruct men In the
details of their relations with the insti.
buttons of the world, but to impress
upon their minds, for their guidance, the
principles of the kingdom of God, and to
bring their hearts under the influence of
the grace of Christ.
The topic of "CO-operative Congrega-
tionalism for Evangelistic Work in Ok
ford Conference was taken up by Rev.
w. E. Brooks, D. D., of South Paris. He
spoke earnestly, showing how pastors
and congregations might lend their
presence and assistance one to another,
and accomplish great results in evangel-
ization.
Rev. w. C. Adams discussed the topic,
"How Can the Church Best Reach Men?"
Show them that you have an interest in
them. Cultivate sociability. Preach
practical sermons to practical men.
Have an abiding love for your fellow
men.
Secretary Harbutt of the Maine Mis-
sionary Society made brief appeal for
$4,000 for the Upton church to complete
this years work. Fifteen of the amount
was Immediately pledged, and further
consideration of the matter was deferred
till later session.
The last on the afternoon programme
was the woman's missionary meeting,
which was addressed by Miss Flagg, one
of the state missionaries.
The evening session opened with a
praise service, conducted by Rev. A. F.
Clifford.
After Introductory services by Rev.
w. E. Brooks, D. D., Rev. Chas. II.
Daniels of Boston, secretary of the A. b.
C. r. NJ, was introduced as speaker OF
the evening, who gave an able and inter-
esting address founded on the words:
1--WE then that are strong ought to bear
the infirmities of the weak, and not to
please ourselves. Let every one of us
please his neighbor for his good to edi-
fication. For even Christ pleased not
HIMSELF The speaker dwelt on the
blessedness of doing good to others,
as manifested in the foreign
field.
Excellent music was furnished by the
Partisan Male Quartette, Mrs. Cora S.
Briggs presiding at the organ.
Wednesday morning after devotional
service a business session of consider
A lie length was held. Reports from the
churches were made, the report of the
treasurer listened to, and Rev. F. E.
Rand, the Oxford County missionary,
made his report on the work done dur
ing the year. The most important
feature of this report was perhaps the
fact that about $500 has been subscrib-
ed toward building two churches in the
region, and there is good
reason to hope that they will be ready
for use during the present season.
The remainder of the forenoon session
was devoted to an address on home mis-
sion work by Rev. Geo. II Ga.'ersen OF
Boston, for the American Missionary
Associa ton.
Wednesday afternoon there was
service, with sermon by Rev.
Arthur Varley of Bethel, and the con-
ference closed with a communion serv-
ice.
A resolution was passed extending the
thanks of the conference to the South
Paris church and society, to Rev. DR..
Daniels and Rev. Mr.. Gutterson, and to
the Partisan Male Quartette and Mrs.
Briggs for services rendered.
Dinner on both days and supper Tues.
day night were served in the vestry OF
the church.