Daily Kennebec Journal

Congregational Conference.

The second day's meeting of the Congregational conference in this city, began yesterday morning, at 6 o'clock, with a prayer meeting led by Rev. J. T. Hawes. It was a meeting of real power.

At 9 o'clock the conference considered the question, "What does the church owe to the Sabbath schools?" opened by Rev. A. L. Park of Gardiner, who said that the Sunday School was a good training place for lay workers; that the church, by using these means, will send out efficient laborers in the field.

He was followed by Mr. Davenport of Waterville.

Mr. Nye, the chairman, took the ground that the Sunday school should be supported by and continue under the watch-care and guardianship of the church.

J. M. Larrabee, Esq., of Gardiner, thought the church should maintain towards the Sunday school the relation that the parent sustains to the child. The church should care for it and educate it as part of its body and life.

The next question, "What is it to be spiritually minded, and how shall this state be promoted among our churches?" was opened by Rev. H. V. Emmons of Hallowell. He would answer the question by saying that it was to be in the Holy Ghost, which was truly life and peace. This blessed condition would work itself out in all the avenues of life.

The question, "What do Parishioners expect of their minister in his pastoral visits?" was opened by J. M. Larrabee, Esq., of Gardiner. He said the expectations of parishioners would be as various as the members were numerous. Some expected frequent and stated visits; some to be talked to in set religious phrases, and were glad when the call was ended; some expected brilliancy in conversation, and others counsel and advice in Christian living and work. Especially do the poor expect encouragement in the spiritual life, and in some cases assistance in material things. Invalids desire information of the life and progress of religion in the church. If he could have a little latitude in the discussion of the question, he would say that the parishioners ought to expect their pastors to be spiritual guides, and that they ought in their visits to direct the attention of their people in some way to the work in which they are preeminently engaged.

Dea. Haviland would let the minister accommodate himself to the expectations of his people, as they were manifested to him by his intercourse with them.

The last question for discussion in the forenoon was, "What special demands does the present time of religious expectation and business depression make upon the churches?"

Rev. C. G. McCully of Hallowell, said that there was a looking forward to a spiritual quickening the present fall and ensuing winter, on what grounds it is difficult to decide exactly. Perhaps the spirit of God, by these various indications, is preparing the way to work mightily in the hearts of men. Other facts may account for it, such as the disclosures of gigantic frauds and rottenness in quarters where we have looked for soundness. These things have impressed men with the need of the purifying power of the Gospel in their hearts and awakened a desire to come into a higher life. Even wicked men see the need of the interposition of God. This feeling is partially accounted for by the arrival in this country of noted revivalists. But we should not let our expectations rest upon man, and not upon God. It had truly been said by some one that if God had been importuned as much as Moody and Sankey had, there would ere this be a glorious revival throughout the country. The prayer seems to be. "My soul, wait thou upon Mr. Moody, for my expectation is from him." This was exceedingly offensive to him. He exhorted ministers and laymen to work diligently in the fields where God had placed them, with a willingness to sacrifice, and a firm confidence in the ordinary means of grace. He hoped the revival would come; that we should not take it out in expectation, that while we are waiting Jesus of Nazareth will pass by. Rev. Mr. Tappan of Skowhegan, thought we ought not to wait in idle expectation. Christians ought to be employing wise and ingenious methods to bring people within the sound of the Gospel. He suggested that pastors help each other, and that protracted meetings be held. The world is wiser than we; he was surprised that christians had so little ingenuity.

Rev. Mr. Dinsmore said it should be our earnest endeavor to bring souls to Christ, and forward the expected work.

Mr. Nye took the ground that the Lord is ready and willing to pour out his spirit at all times. Equal demands of duty are made upon us at all times, which we should not avoid. If we should hold meetings, pray and labor earnestly, he had no doubt the spirit would be poured out in abundant measure.

Mr. Larrabee thought that church members should be consecrated to the work.

Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Emmons, and the meeting adjourned to afternoon.

AFTERNOON.

A prayer and promise meeting was held, led by the venerable Father Adams.

This was followed by the conference sermon by Rev. H. V. Emmons of Hallowell. The text was in Romans 8th chap., 26th verse. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." All true spiritual life comes through the Holy Ghost. When we see something of our needs, and call out in our weakness for help, the spirit deals with God in our behalf, and brings us up to that life that is hid with God. When we come to the seat of God's power, we must cry out for help, without which we perish. Unless we pray, we have no life in God; but we cannot pray unless God prays through us. The theme is a practical one to us. To pray aright requires the will, memory and the emotion, and the full play of all our forces; requires the utmost stretch of all our powers.

Skepticism and failure come because we open not our hearts to the Holy Spirit.

The preacher next analyzed the meaning of the passage, speaking of physical infirmity as signifying distemper, disease, want of power, prostration, all the avenues of life open to death. The springs of life become low: they must be replenished with vitality, or the end is death. This was used as a figure of our spiritual condition. Spiritually infirm, the gracious spirit comes to help our infirmities. When we feel that our prayers are not heard when entirely helpless, then the Heavenly Helper comes and girds up our flagging desires and our withered hands are stretched forth to seize the horns of the altar. Every promise we touch is solid ground, and while we call God answers. We then have a power that is not all our own. We then come to know how it is that God carries forward his purposes and at the same time answers prayers. The spirit comes down from God and carries us back to God in his company. The spirit struggles with us as Jacob did with the angels until the blessing comes.

The speaker enforced the practical part of the discourse. We should commit ourselves to this Holy Spirit that he may teach us how to pray and what to pray for—in the name, power, and character of Christ. We should hear the voice and obey. Our cry should be for the spirit's influences, that the Holy Ghost may bear our petitions to the heights of prevailing power.

The sermon was a very thoughtful one, and was listened to with profound attention.

The ordinance of the Lord's Supper was then observed, Rev. J. T. Hawes presiding at the table.

The meetings of the conference then closed. The next semi-annual meeting will be held with the Congregational church at Litchfield.