The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-10-18
state Convention Of v. M. G. A. of
= 3 .s.l1sifi 3. tl- Maine. itH tI.i4f

Cs A.
Maine. siA
LEWISTON, Oct. II, 1857
To the Editor of the Press.
Yesterday the State Convention of the Y. NJ j..
q. Associations of Maine met in this city UNI
der the auspices of the Lewiston and Auburn
Associations The sittings of the convention
commenced at 10 A. NJ, in the First Baptist
Church. An address of welcome to the dele
gates was delivered by Rev. Mr. Heath of Au-
burn. Joshua Nye of Waterville, was then
chosen President, who appointed Rev. Mr.
Heath, Smith of Portland, and Richardson of
Waterville, a committee to perfect the organi-
cation; also Charles Douglass of Lewiston, l..
Dingley of Auburn, and Hon. L. Andrews of
Biddeford, Business Committee. f. E. Shaw
OF Portland was chosen temporary Secretary.
1 Next came reports of the different Associa-
tions. H. III. Kicker stated the Y. M. G. A. of
Portland displayed augmented zeal and activ-
ity. They have refurnished their rooms since
the fire and now sustain four Sabbath schools
and four prayer meetings each week, while
49, .szs1i.u ienceG sTserrzStslalers anong
the sailors. Their work is crowned with treat
success.
of the Auburn Association. Have several sue
cessfui Sabbath schools, and library to the
privileges of which all are admitted, but not
to membership. ata
z, The committee on organization here report
ed for Vice Presidents, Leonard Andrews of
Biddeford, IL. I'll. Kicker of Portland. G. L.
Pearl of Bangor and Il. M. Jordan, of Auburn;
for Secretaries, f. E. Shaw of Port land, and
+. L, Dingley of Auburn. Messrs. Heath of
Auburn, Russell of Portland, and Nye of Wa
teryille, We're appointed committee on Asso-
citation. Mr.. Andrews now reported rs active
and 10 honorary members of the Biddeford
Y. M. A. Mr. E. p Tobe stated that the
Lewiston Association was very active and
prosperous; already blessed with more than
70 conversions Extend their labors to the
dance halls5 gioEa8sj : lai g5t5-415
Mr-J w. Mudee of Providence, r. L., gave
an account of the work of the Y. M. c.. A. of
that city-of their success in visiting drinking
saloons, gambling houses, dance halls, many
OF which had been closed through their efforts
AT a little before noon the convention ad-
journed after prayer by Rev. Mr.. Jacques of
Winthrop.
The afternoon attendance was much larger,
numerous delegates arriving by the noon
trains from the east. The church was filed.
Indeed so large is the attendance that it was
deemed advisable, upon adjourning in the af-
ternoon, to hold the evening session in Pine
street church. ns .snIit tssa5sfl -fi
& Alter the opening OF the afternoon session nv
prayer the convention proceeded to discuss the
topic' by What methods may the Associations
pest accomplish their mission" Rev Mr..
Dalton OF Portland, spoke at length. He
strongly favored the introduction of amuse
pents-not games of chance-into the Asso-
Citations; and suggested that members. for the
purpose of controlling their comnanions
should join base ball and boating clubs. also
mlngie IN other athletic exercises Judge
smith OF Boston, very earnestly eombatted the
amusement views presented by Mr.. Dalton
5 For one he believed in Puritanism-that only
harm could come to the cause of Christ by pat-
ronlz'ng amusements. In Massachusetts. he
affirmed of his own knowledge, there was
more gambling among base ball clubs and at
horse races, than at the card table and faro
outside of Boston. add
De- The convention was briefly addressed by
Gov. Chamberlain, who was obliged to leave
on the o'clock train. lie made an earnest
appeal for simplicity of faith; said he thou ht
that Southern Christians possessed simpler
faith than we of the North. He narrated
some incidents, contirmatory of this view,
which came under his own observation during
the war liaua 1.Et JHa .it .g
A similar tone was manifested by all the
speakers-by Rev. Dr. Adams, of Brunswick,
by camp meeting" John Allen, and others.
They would have no minor differences of
creed exhibited among the members of the Y.
M. z. AS; but simple faith in Jesus, with har-
monous, Jealous work.
The next topic considered was-"Relations of
the church and ministry; its subsidiary, auxil-
larry and supplemental character" The dis
cussion was opened by Rev. Mr. Gould, of Ban
gor, who was followed by various others. The
same topic was further debated in the evening
at Pine street church, and was then followed
by debate upon THE Inspiration of Effort and
Achievement" and the Organization of New
Associations" The evening attendance was
very large, and the discussions exceedingly
animated. The debate upon the latter topic
was continued through the forenoon session
Oh to-day. CnrlStlaHS were urged TO be liberal
givers and earnest workers, nor were they
urged in faltering, timid manner by Judge
Smith, of Boston, by Edward Sands, of Lewis
ton, and others. The appeals were bold and
vigorous-enough to move the most miserly
professors of the Christian fait one would
think Men who cannot talk themselves
should help with money those who can and
christian work cannot proceed upon the star
walton principle.
All apology for non-attendance was received
from Senator Wilson and read to the conven-
ton at about haif-past eleven to-day.
The convention may be regarded as a sue
cess in every respect, and there will he fnrtbAr !
discussion this afternoon, the conyention clos
ing with a revival reunion meeting at Pine ST
church in the evening. BARLOW.
The Democratic City Council of Hartford
having voted not to give Gen. Sheridan a pub |
lie reception, the Press of that city very prop
erly calls the members "curmudgeons," and |
says that the people will take care of Sheridan |