The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-07-15
Needing Of Nasienal Con<entisn Of Veang
MEMS Christian As>eefatisns.
AN ENTHusIAsTIC GATMEnENG.
ExrRc1sEs OF WEDNESDAY P. M.

Yent10n OF the IOung mems .CnrlStlana AsSOci-
atoms for the United States, began its sessions
in State etreet Church, yesterday afternoon at
3 o'clock. When the hour arrived for the COM
mencement of the exercises, the floor of the
church was well filled, and as they proceeded
the galleries were filled up with delegates who
had been arriving upon the boats and trains
leading into the city Tuesday and Wednesday
morning
1t is impossible to tell with any approach to
accuracy as yet how many have reported them
selves to attend upon these sessions, but the
indications are unmistakable that this will be
one Of the largest gatherings in our city for
the present season. The intelligence and po-
lite bearing Of the delegates, who many of them
wear badges indicative of the States and cities
which they represent, is pleasing testimony
to the glory of the cause in whose behalf3they
are assembled. The desk and platform Of the
church were tastefully decorated with flowers,
and we noticed present goodly number Of the
best workers of our own State, among whom,
on front seat, as one most ready to hear and
to do, was conspicuous the venerable Rev. John
Allen Camp Meeting John) of Pennington.
OPENING ExERcIsEs.
The convention was called to order, and
prayer was offered by Rev. Nh. Miller, Of De-
troit the presiding officer Of last year.
There followed the rendering of hymn APP
propriate to the occasion, Rev. DR.. Crosby, of
New York, reading and the congregation sing
ing line by line; after which the same gentle
man led the convention in prayer.
Rev. DIR. Gordon, of Jamaica Plain, Mass,
then read well selected lesson from the Old
Testament Scriptures.
At the suggestion Of the temporary chair
man, the congregation then united in singing
the first and last verses Of the hymn beginning
Cali hail the power of Jesus name"
which he remarked was first in the hearts of
all Christians present,
A second Scripture lesson was then read
from the New Testament by Rev. Mr.. Holmes,
of New York. The passages selected were pc,
culiarly beautiful, and read in clear;-fullj
voice.
The retiring President then addressed the
convention very appropriately and pointedly.
He spoke of the first work of organizations of
their successful labors afterwards in London
England; of their beginnings in this country,
until the holding of the eleventh international
convention. He said that when the meeting
held in Montreal showed that the entire mem
bership of the year before $4,000 had been
doubled, and that when after wards 10000, and
this year $4,000 was reported as the member
ship of these organizations; when year after
year many conversions were reported, and nu-
merous new associations were forming; when
it was known to him that during the past year
$3.50 new conversions were attributable, under
God, to the work of these bands of Christian
young men; when it was known that the asso-
Citations now held property to the value of So
$50 000 he felt it in his own heart to say, g The
Lord hath done great things for us, of which
we are very glad,' They were met to discover
causes of defeats; to learn the means which
God has blessed; to prepare for the multiplied.
ton of victories in the future. The Greeks
anciently assembled to learn the will of their
kings. We assemble that we may learn the
will of the King of kings, so that we may be
prepared to proclaim that will with bold hearts
and voices. Not all had been done that should
have been. He thought there had been, in
some cases, too much "elbow help too much
leaning upon one another. They must realize
their personal, individual responsibility He
thought that want of experience had some
times led to indiscretions. He believed that
want of cooperation on the part of pastors had
often led to disastrous consequences. Our dis
cussions will do good We shall succeed Ac-
ton brings its own reward. Almighty God
has promised He will be with us. Many have
already been saved. Many have been fed and
clothed. Sons have been returned to fathers
and mothers, whose steps they were bringing
with sorrow to the grave. Husbands have been
restored to wives, who were dying of broken
heart. Be not faint, but persevere. Renewed
ly buckle ON the whole armor. There are a.
000,00o young men in our land. Only 25O,O00
arc Christians. Go forth braye1y. So work
that when you come to lie down in old age. it
shall not be in gathering darkness, but in a
spot where there are emerald isles and the
bloom of spring. Not as one who feels his
work unfinished, but like brother who re-
Gently went as the first delegate from our
association at Detroit to the spirit land, saying,
" my head reels, must stop;' and you shall
hear the plaudit, Well done good and faith
full servants; enter we into the joy of your
Lord"
The President, after few remarks Of per-
sonal nature, referring to his leave-taking of
the convention as its presiding officer, closed
his speech by prayer, the convention joining
him as he terminated in the repetition of the
Lords Prayer.
BUSINESS
After the Presidents remarks, com mittees
were chosen as follows:
On motion of Rev. Mr. Carleton, Of Eliza
beth. New Jersey, Committee of seven on
Credentials; on motion of Mr. Crowell, of Phil
adelphia, Committee on Permanent Organi-
cation.
On motion of Mr.. Chase, President of the
Portland Association, it was voted that Mr..
Doane of Cincinnati should take the lead in
the singing Of the Convention. Mr.. Chase also
informed the other committees what accom-
modations had been provided for their sessions.
On motion of Mr.. Loyeioy of Massachusetts,
thee following named persons were appointed
a committee on open air meetings: George E.
Lovejoy, Mass; d. L. Moody, Illinois; N. D.
Curtis, Portland; E. A. Whittier, Mass; w.
+. Lee, New York; Coca Hall. Washington,
CONFER ENcE MEETING.
While the committees were out, the Conven-
ton had social meeting for prayer and con-
terence. The occasion began in the use of the
hymn beginning,
"A charge to keep I.have.',
We have quite full notes of these exercises,
but we can hardly do justice in the use Of
them. Many feryent prayers were. offered;
many interesting incidents were narrated; and
of the devotional music, of which
these Associations are 50 fond, was sung.
Soon after these exercises began, Mr.. Jones.
Of Hudson, Conn, in behalf Of the ladies' Of
that city, in very neat speech, presented to !
The Convention very beautiful banner, which
mad been prepared by them to be used special
y on this occasion, The banner bore the mot
TO, JESUS IN EVERY THNG-EvERY THING
IN JESUS" the former portion being above and
the latter below the cross, around which was
'astefully entwined avine. 1t was beautiful
gift indeed, and the Convention willingly ten
Tered the ladies of Hudson their thanks for IL.
with the added prayer that the sentiment Of
he motto and design might be the. prevailing
sentiment of the Convention.
A telegram extending the fraternal greetings
If the Methodist Camp Meeting now holding
is sessions at Round Lake, New York, called
Up the Rev. John Allen, who had Just come
rom that point, it being the 199th camp meet
ng which he has attended The Convention
lent dispatch in reply. .s.
IT, vnta6 that ola,oun,a,, ,f Az ,.4.-