Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-06-18
Oxford Conference.


The Oxford conference of Congrega- |
tional churches met with the South |
Paris church Tuesday and Wednesday,
June HIP, this being their eighty-fodrth
annual meeting. A majority OF the
churches of the conference were repre-
sented by pastor or delegates, or both.
After reading of scriptures and prayer
by the moderator, organization for the
coming year was effected by reelection
of the old board of officers, as follows:
Moeierator-Rev. B. s. Rideout
Scribe-w. II. Eastman.
RECOMMENDATION G. Wheeler.
Rev. A. X. Baldwin, pastor of the local
church, extended hearty greetings to the
delegates, to which the moderator briefly
responded.
The remainder of the forenoon session
was occupied by the conference sermon
by Rev. j. G. Fisher of Mexico, from the
text: For with thee is the fountain OF
life; in thy light shall we see light.
Pisa. 1919.
The speaker deplored the effects of the
modern realistic novel, and yellow jour-
nalism that give all the details of evil
without suggesting the way of escape
from its debasing influence, and the
light that leads to better things.
After bountiful repast in the vestry
of the church, the afternoon program
was taken up.
A brief praise and devotional service
was led by Dea. s. c. Heald of East
Sumner.
The topic, as the Spirit of Congrega-
tionslism Democratic or Aristocratic,"
was opened in an able paper by Rev. c.
N. Gleason Of Bethel, and was briefly
discussed by others.
The leading address Of the afternoon
was BY Rev. Geo. III. Gutterson, of Bos-
ton, on the work of the American Mis-
sionary Association. In an interesting
and impressive manner he spoke of the
great educational and missionary work
carried on among eight different races of
men, all under the American flag.
Rev. j. G. Fisher of Mexico gave a brief
account of the missionary work being
done In our own state among the Italians.
The closing afternoon topic, what
Substitute for the Prayer Meeting OF our
Churches?' was presented by w. III.
Eastman of East Sumner. Both the
opening speaker and all who followed in
the discussion were unanimous and
hearty in the expression of the opinion
that the good old fashioned PRAYER
meeting has not outlived its usefulness,
and still has an important place in
church work.
The largest audience of the conference
was at the Tuesday evening session, the
number being swelled by good at
tendance of the people of the village.
4 hp lv
rendered solos by Miss Susie Wheeler
and Miss Ruby Clark with Mrs. Cora
Briggs at the organ. This part of the
meeting was given entirely to con-
sideration of the topic: "What the Pub
lie Schools and Teachers can do to Help
the Church in Character Building in the
Children and Youth"
Excellent addresses were given on this
theme by Rev. Frederick Newport and
Rev. ii. A. Clifford, school superintend-
ents respectively of Oxford and Paris.
Routine work of the conference occu-
pied the early part of the Wednesday
morning gathering, followed by reports
of the churches.
Rev. w. s. Mann, one of the field
secretaries of the Maine Missionary So
ciety, gave an address on the work of
that society in the state.
The missionary work among the Firms
in our state was briefly mentioned by
Rev. A. K. Baldwin.
Rev. w. II. Forbes of Gilead presented
the topic: Advantages and Disadvan-
tages of Country Parish, !" both sides of
which were forcefully brought to the at
tentiOn of the congregation.
80 81 De-. ,h, Of
South Paris were presented by it's pastor,
Rev. j. w. CHESHIRE.
Rev. G. A. Hood Of Boston, represent
ing the Congregational Church Building
Society, gave stirring address on the
nature and Importance of its work
among the churches, especially among
the rapidly growing communities of the
great west.
Wednesday afternoon was given to the
observance of the communion service.
The address was by Rev. G. A. Hood,
founded on the words, "God created
man in His own image" Gen. 1 20
Rev. Messrs. Newport and Gleason Off
ciated at the communion table.
The following resolutions were unani-
mously adopted:
Resolved, That the Oxford conference
urges the vigorous enforcement of our
prohibitory law, and hereby heartily
cOmmends those of our officials who
have been true to their pledges and
faithful to their oath of Office in this en-
forcement.
Resolved, That We a. conference
commend the action already taken, look
ing towards q union of the Congrega-
tiOnalists. the Methodist Protestants,
and the United Brethren in Christ. and
that We express the hope that such .
union may be wisely contaminated.
Resolutions were also passed express
ing thanks for the hospitality of the
South Paris church and people, the
singers, and all who contributed to the
success Of the meeting and the comfort
of the delegates; and to the Grand
Trunk Railway and Maine Central Rail-
road for reduced fares.
Resolutions of sympathy and good
will were also extended to Rev. A. K.
Baldwin, on account of the state of his
health that calls for a temporary sus-
pension of the work so dear to his heart. |