Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-30
Oxford Universalist Association.

opened in the church at South Paris last
Wednesday morning. The morning was
beautiful, and the meetings opened
under suspicious conditions, although
the audience was small.
The association was called to order by
the president, j. III. Barrows of Bethel,
after which prayer was offered by Rev.
III. III. Hoyt of Hiram. An address of
welcome was given by Rev. j. III. Little
of the South Paris church in his usual
earnest manner. Mr.. Barrows respond
ed, speaking of the advancement and
growth of Universalism in Oxford
County during the sixty-two years of the
associations existence.
Committees were appointed as fol-
lows:
Religious services-Rev. J. II. Little. Rev.
Isabella Macciud, Z C. Park.
Credentials-A. ID. Park. Rev. ID. A. Ball. Miss
Alice Mason.
Parishes-Rey VI. III. Hoyt.
Nominations-Rev. J. II. Little, Rev. II. A.
Markley, Miss Jennie NJ. Brown.
Resolutions-R.v. }. II. Little. Rev. s. g..
Davis, Mrs. Tandberg.
The records were read by Rev. F. II.
Cole of Mechanic Falls, the secretary of
the association, and the treasurer's re-
port was also read by Mr., Cole in the
absence of the treasurer, following
which an adjournment was made for
dinner
Dinner was served in Good Cheer Hall
in the basement of the church, as were
all the meals except breakfasts on the
two days of the meeting.
The afternoon session opened at
o'clock with a conference meeting led by
Rev. Miss Macduff in which several of
the clergymen present participated. 1t
proved a most enjoyable meeting, and
one of the most helpful of the services
The afternoon preaching service open
ed with Scripture reading by Rev. A. d.
Colson of Bethel, followed by prayer by
Rev. G. r. Tenney of Auburn, and SER
mon by Rev. ID. A. Ball of Gorham,
n H., from the text, st. John liza, his
subject being Master Christians. This
was very effective sermon, and contain
ed many beautiful thoughts to help
Christians to live as better examples to
themselves and to the world.
Music for the afternoon included
solo BY Miss Jessie Tolman and duet
by Mrs. Wilson and Miss Thayer, Mrs.
Wilson and Mrs. Burbank as organists.
Following the sermon, communion
was observed.
Wednesday evening, after praise
service of a few minutes, there was
Scripture reading by Rev. II. III. Hoyt of
Hiram, prayer by Rev. II. A. Markley
of Turner. and very thoughtful sermon
by Rev. Oluf Tandberg of Berlin, n. H.,
from the text, "Canst thou bind the
sweet influences of Pleiades?'
The singing for the evening service
was by the church choir, with Mrs. Pen
fold at the organ. There was q good
congregation.
The second day of the association,
Thursday, found us in the midst of one
of the worst rain storms of the season,
but despite the weather fair audience
gathered at the church at 8 A. NJ. for the
first service Of the day. This was
praise service, led by Rev. Mr.. Tenney
of Auburn. After this adiscussion, on
Mary's tribute to the Master, was taken
part in by the various clergymen present,
and was decidedly interesting and
helpful meeting.
A business meeting followed in
charge of the secretary, Rev. Mr.. Cole,
of Mechanic Falls, the president and
vice-president both being absent. Nomi-
nation of officers followed the reading of
the records which resulted as follows:
President-J. ii. Barrows of Bethel.
Vice. Presidential. ID. Park OF South Paris.
Secretary-Rev. Mr.. Cole Of Mechanic Falls.
Treasurer-Geo. L. Merrill o: Dixdeld.
There were reported 1S parishes repre-
scented, 50 delegates present, II ministers,
the state superintendent, and one visit
ing clergyman. Reports were given
from representatives of the different
parishes present, and all as far as heard
from seem to be in good condition both
spiritually and financially.
Following the business meeting an ad
dress on "The Mission of our Church"
was given by Rev. Mr.. Hoyt, our state
superintendent. Mr.. Hoyt spoke of the
new work he had taken up and how hard
he should work to spread the mission of
our church. 1t was most inspiring ad-
dress.
An adjournment was then in order
until the afternoon session.
Before the hour for the afternoon
service it had stopped raining and the
sun was trying to peep through the
clouds and the afternoon proved very
pleasant. The afternoon service opened
with duet by Miss Thayer and Mr.. Col
son, then Rev. Mr.. Markley gave an ad-
dress on Religious Education" He
was very earnest in his address, and
showed various ways of advancing re-
ligious education in our schools, Sunday
Schools and in our homes. He advised
the use of many books as helps for
this purpose. Mr.. Markley's address
was followed by a discussion of the
subject. A solo by George Briggs was
next in order.
The following period was to have been
taken up by Mr.. Ralph w. E. Hunt of
Portland, but owing to his absence an
address on "What Consecrated Univers-
alist Is" was given by Rev. S. G.. Davis
of Norway. Mr.. Davis throws his whole
heart and soul into his sermons and one
can't help being made better and trying
to live a better life by listening to his
sermons. He gave something of the
same address before the state convention
at Rockland last June, about which
much has been said and printed.
Another business meeting followed
this address to clean up the remaining
business, one point of which was reading
and adopting the resolutions, after
which an adjournment was made until
evening. Many of the delegates left for
their homes on the up and down trains
in the afternoon while others remained
for the evening service.
The resolutions, which were quite
lengthy, express thanks to the South
Paris parish for its hospitality, to the
choir for its music, to the railroad for
reduced fares, and to the representatives
of the press for courtesies; approve the
efforts for uniformity of divorce laws;
endorse the prohibitory law and oppose
its repeal or resubmission; express ap-
probation of the services of Rev. f. E.
Barton, former state superintendent,
and welcome his successor, Rev. Fl. Fl
Hoyt; and tender sympathy to Brother
George L. Merrill, treasurer Of the
association, in his illness, and to Presi-
dent j. Fl. Barrows for the illness Of his
wife.
At the closing service Of the associa-
ton Thursday evening, Scripture was
read by Rev. Mr.. Ball, prayer offered by
Rev. Miss Macduf and the sermon by
Rev. w. j. Taylor of Lewiston, from the
text, "What think ye Of Christi" IL was
. thoughtful and eloquent discourse,
setting forth the qualities which make
Jesus Master Of the world, and the one
figure having absolute authority in the
spiritual life. Music was furnished by
the church choir with the addition of
Miss Thayer and Mr.. Carl Briggs for .
few pieces; Mrs. Cora Briggs served -
oranist for the evening.