The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-02-08
Christian Convention

This Convention of Christian Associations
and Evangelical Christians of various denom-
| nations, assembled at 10 o'clock yesterday
| morning at the Chestnut Street M. L. Church.
A prayer meeting had been held in the vestry,
| at 8 o'clock, conducted by Rev. g. Morse of
| South Berwick. The attendance was very
good Mr. Andrew ). Chase, President of the
Y. M. @. A. Of this city, called the Convention
to order, and nominated President Harris, of
Bowdoin College, as President of the Conven-
ton, who, upon assuming the Chair, made an
appropriate address, welcoming the attendance
of SO large number of clergymen and lay
delegates, and arguing for the unity of Christ
ians of every name, and the progress of true
religion in the world. He then read selec-
ton Of Scriptures. The hymn,
''From all that dwell below the SKIES"
was sung by the congregation.
Prayer was offered by the President.
The following named persons were appoint
ed Vice Presidents and Secretaries and took
their places upon the PLATFORM
Rev. II. P. Torsey, D. D., Kent's Hill; Adam
Wilson, D. D., Paris; G. o. Libby, Wells; s.
Barker, Orono; q. Martin, J. J. Carruthers,
Presidents. Deacon e. f. Duran, Bangor; A.
| r. Sylvester, Kendall's Mills Dr. George L.
| Kimball, Deacon N D. Curtis, j. A. Fender
son, ESQ.,, Portland, Secretaries.
Singing to be under the charge of Prof d.
| G. Hartman.
United in singing hymn 2S6,
What majesty and grace
Through all the gospel Shines"
A committee was appointed to report COM
mittee to prepare business for the Convention,
and soon after Mr.. Elias Chase, of this city,
reported as that Committee: Leonard W. An
drews of Biddeford; A. H. Heath, Auburn;
Tristan Jersey, Paris; N. D. Curtis, T. R.
Hayes, Capt. G. Sturdivant and A. j. Chase, of
Portland.
This Committee, through Mr.. Andrews, of
Biddeford, reported the following question and
order:
1. "What can the lay members of our
churches do for CHRISTI"
All resolutions and questions relating to bus
shall be referred to the committee without dis
cussiOn.
Rev. 8. P. Fay, of the Hammond Street
Church, Bangor, was then called upon to open
the discussion of the question proposed to the
Convention. Rev. Mr.. Gage, of State Street
Church in this city, followed in a happy strain
of remark.
Rev. j. NJ Palmer, of Biddeford, Rev. DR..
Stockbridge, of Portland, Deacon Morse, of
Paris, O. X. Ladd, and Rev. Mr.. Martin, of
Portland, also spoke of the great influence
which laymen might exert.
United in prayer with Rev. Dr. Adams, of
Brunswick.
The President read letters from Rev. DIR.
Champlin, of Waterville, and Rev. DIR. Torsey,
of Kents Hill.
The committee of arrangements reported the
following subjects for discussion in the after
noon:
g. What measures can be adopted to quick
en- the public conscience as to its duty in ref
erence to the neglect of habitual attendance
upon the worship of God in the Sanctuary.
3. Can the neglected poor be best reached
by outside organizations, or by efforts to bring
them by social and spiritual connection with
regular established churches.
The convention voted to meet at o'clock P
M Prayer meeting to be held at go o'clock
Pm.
After singing hymn the benediction was
pronounced by Rev. DR.. Stockbridge, and the
Convention adjourned.
AFTERNOON
A prayer meeting was held in the vestry at
2.3O o'clock, conducted by Rev. r. Durham, of
Limington.
The Convention met at P. M, and was op-
ened by the Presidents reading portion of
the eleventh chapter of Luke.
United in singing 35th Hymn;
"Jesus, we look to thee.'
The discussion was resumed on the topic in
troduced in the morning, in regard to what
laymen can do for Christ. 1t was participated
in by the President, Rev. DR.. G.. E. Adams, of
Brunswick, and John A. Cole, Esq, of New
York, Secretary of the American Christian
Commission.
On the second and third topics, remarks were
made by Rev. s. P. Fay, of Bangor, Rev. Chas.
Morse, of South Berwick, Rev. DR.. Wilson, of
Paris, Rev. DR.. Pennington, of Portland, H.
F. Durant, Esq, of Boston, Rev. s. Thurston,
OF Searsport, Prof Packard, of Brunswick,
and Rev. DR.. Champlin, OF Colby University.
fortons of several hymns were sung during
the afternoon session.
Inc committee of Arrangements reported
as topics for discussion in the evening the fol-
lowing:
4. Is card playing, dancing and games and
an W;a Oh IKE character, consistent with
8. Ale cur devotional meot; n1a oonohIa of
improvement, as the method or agencies by
WHICH they can be made more attractive and
tent? ""~' 'A0 AP
NAi'o' uhitlng In singing Hymn 237,
Il love thy Kingdom, Lord,"
.ne pehedictlon was pronounced by Rev. O. o.
ADpy, OF Wells, and the Convention adjourn
ca TO z O'Clock in the evening.
EVENING SESSION.
lne Convention met at O'clock P. M. The