Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-11-12
THE METHoDlSrS,
Continued from Page Twoo

|
consideration under the changed cir
cuihStances OF our times. Otherwise
the proposition for notification would
hardly be a worthy one
| Nor :gain is the proposition a cues-
'ioh Oh Suppliance. Neither conference
so comes to the other. 1t is q cues
uon OF mutual advantage for the good
Of the work. These two Cont
hefd each other AS brothers we should
hold each other in fraternal regard. and
d" Influenced by lilial desire to do
| our best for a common cause in the,
name Of God.
| Now that Methodism is not employ
ca TO me greatest advantage in the
| state of Maine is Il grave truth.
| That the chief Disadvantage in the
disposition and supervision Of her force.
IN the stat" growS ont Of the separate
structure into two Conferences is ! be
| lieve. inr0ntrovertiblc.
| This sc parate structure means at best
| Indifference TO the interests Of the
other Conference: and at worst may
man antagcnism to each others inter-
ests. For in spite of all good purposes.
emnlations will spring up. and with
our separate structure will cluster
/
prejudice, and like quantities Of human
nature.
| My brethren, these things ought not
so to De."-But they are.
| These things are destructive Of all
nOblest success. Such antagOnism. or
| Indifference cannot tell for the advan-
| tage and growth of Gods kingdom, nor
for the enlarged interests of our denom-
/ at
of progress. and the depletion of our
strength as a factor in every social and
moral and religious movement in our
State as such.
| What would result if we were united
into one Conference? Would not we as
a denomination have the advantage OF
| being unit Of strength in every civic
and political relationship to which the
church from time to time rightfully
comes in every civic and political
and moral reform in which the church
| must be counted if she would fill her
place in the world?
Were there but one Conference cover
ing the entire State of Maine working
together for the interests of the whole
State, with frequent meetings for the
interchange of thought. discussion of
methods. furtherance Of plans of action,
and concentration of effort 10 meet
| the opposing forces of evil of whatsn-
ever nature they might be. our social
and political and sociological, as well
as our religious influence would be man.
| fold increased And has not the church
| a. right to seek the enlargement of her
| influence and power for good in every
| direction that touches the intellectual
and and ethical and religious uplift of
| our commonwealth?
With the one Conference working for
the common veal we should become a
factor to be counted with in the though,
! of our State such as orr denomination
| never yet has realized.
! This tact of strength would reveal
| itself in an enlarged prestige which
| would instantly obtain in the mind Of
| thoughtful people.
| Is it possible TO get as good results
| from two bodies each jealous of its
! own prerogativeS, each anxious to pro-
! vide for itself. and less careful OF the
! interests of the whole than of Il part.
and frequently working to each others
hurt; as from one body with a common
head and center. working for the equal
good of every part and all for ore
| common ennObling inclusive cause"
| This is not the plan of the forces mill
tant of this world. why should it he
considered wise in the church? Is it
true that ''in union there is strength or
! are we to understand that in division
| We are to look for it?
What would be the effect Of consol-
idation upon the personnel OF the min
| istry in the State? The question OF its
great advantage needs hardly to he
| stated
No fact is better known and moro sore
/ ly felt that that we lose our best men
as a rule from each Of these Confer
ences. What is the cause? Is it not
chiefly the smalness in number Of
charges adequate in amplitude of OPP
portunity and claim to hold men for
whom the large and strong and i'm
portant charges are ever looking.-on
the one hand; or. on the other hand. to
encourage such men to settle in one of
! these Conferences?
The possible propositions in these
Conferences at largest are-"Rangor
and what them and portland, and
then WHAT
| The disciplinary transfer is scarcely
worthy to consider 1t is at best nut
makeshift. and often, even at that,
very difficult one to work.
One Conference for Maine would en-
large greatly the scope of opportunity
for young men of promise and instead
of continually outpouring our hest men
we could hold our best own. Moreover
our field would offer inviting consider
atoms for sturdy minded men 81 inter
lect and piety from without.
What should we do with our sHhoolS
What with our Conference fuhus'
What with our chartered interests:
These are questions OF lmnortaHte
but they are Of vastly minor import
They contain little of great dlf.lcui'H
not to say of insuperable consequence.
| I am very sure these organizations
could be conducted in their !ndepeE