The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-03-08 00:00:00

BAPTIST HOME EVANGELIZATION

SOCIETY.

On Tuesday last a public meeting, in connection
with the above society, was held in the Town Hall,
Dorchester. The chair was occupied by G. Carme,
Req., and there wen on the platform Rev. H. Moore,
of Bridgwater, J. P. Tetley, of Taunton, T. Neave,
W. Aliso, R. R. Albin. of Dorchester, and Mr. John
Davis, the evangelist of the society employed in this
district.
The meeting having been opened by singing and
prayer.
The Citarawast, in a few well chosen remarks, bore
testimony to the value of the work done by the
society's agent in this district. He said that while
be (the chairman) had been actively engaged in his
profession as a medicd man in ministering relief to the
' suffering bodies of men, he had often met Mr. Davis,
and had been pleased to find that his work of sick
tilting had been very acceptable, and bad been
greatly blessed to the souls of the affected.
Mr. TrrLse explained the objects and constitution
of the society. He said the society was established
about 17 years by. Western Association of Baptist
Churches,that its oloect, as defined by the rules, was "the
evangelization of the more benighted districts within
the range of the association, by supporting evangelists,
who shall visit from house to house, distribute tracts,
and hold eottage and open air services." Another rule
r,quirel "That no pe,sou shall be employed by the
, committee as an agent of the society who does not
furnish evidence of personal piety, and hold the
doctrines of the Deity of Christ, the Deity and Person-
ality of the Holy Spit it, the depravity of man, salva-
tion through the atonement of Christ, the necessity of
Divine influence in conversion, the obligation resting
on all men to repent and believe the Gospel, and the
necessity of holiness as evidence of unirn work with
the Saviour." These wero the objects of the society,
and within the lines thus indicated they *ought to
accomplish them. He then referred to the need for
this kind of wmrk, and alroi the need of specially
qualified men for its efficient discharge. Referring to
the Dorchester district, he said that here they had a
most suitable man engaged in the w irk and one whom
God had greatly blessed. Mr. Davie was well known,
and need° I not the comwendation of the speaker. His
district was very large, extending 17 miles in one
direction and 12 in another. This district contained
the following preaching stations :—Bucklsoci Newton,
Piddletrenthide Winterbourne Abbe, Briadmayne,
and Bradford Peverell. To give an idea of the amount
of work done by Mr. Davis he (Mr. Tetley) would
read an °street from the report for 1880. In this
report Mr. Davis says: "I have preached 125 times
on Sundays, and 110 times on week days. I have
made 1,275 visits, 720 calls, distributed 2,865 tracts,
read the Scriptures 1,384 times, prayed 1,110 times,
conversed with people oil spiritual things 920 times.
I have spent 900 hours in the work, and have driven
altogether 4,000 miles drubs; the past year." Besides
Dorchester. the society hail &leo agents at Borough-
bridge and Crewkerne, who were doing • similar
work.
Mr. DAVIS, the Dorchester district evangelist, next
addressed the meeting, and referred with deep feeling
to the great kindness and encouragement he had
alweys received from the late vicar of Dorchester, and
also from Colonel and Mrs. Bingham, Mr. Merriman,
Mr. Mills, and othera.
Mr. MOOlll addressed the meeting on the question
of finances. He referred tithe fact that for the last
three years the subecriptiono from this district bad
slizhtly declined. Three years ago the amount was
£5O, now it was £1.5. What had thus talon place in
Dorohester had also happen-t 1 in other places. In
consequence of the death of old subscriber and the
prevalence of bad trade, lte., the society was becoming
somewhat crippled for want of funds. The total
Income for last year was EL"ri, and the expenditure
£240, showing • deficit of £l4. and thie, although there
was now one missionary less on the staff. Thus there
was • growing need for increased effort to improve the
financial position of the society, and be strongly
appealed to the Christian people of Dorchester for a
more liberal support.
The Revs. W. Aunt and T. Nut's also addressed
the meeting, testifying to the value of Mr. Davis'
work from their personal knowledge, and also urging
the people to a more liberal support of the work. The
meeting closed with a cordial vote of thanks to the
chairman.