The Portland daily press., 1871-09-27
[Reportsd for the Press,l
Tho Sixth Annual State COnve ntion IF the
". M. G. Assoc, alton.

v. M. G. Association.
BIDDEFoRD, Sept 26. 1871.
Promptly on the arrival of the morning
trains from the East the lecture room of the
PeviHon church was filled, and the hour from
ten to eleven was spent in prayer and praise
Mr.. C. M. Bailey in the chair.
After brief recess the convention assembled
in the audience room above and was called to
order by A. j. Chase, ESQ., who welcomed the
delegates in fitting words. quartette choir,
Mr.. Samuel Thurston and Col. G. A. Wing
and Misses Stanley, standing on the platform,
sung with fine effect. Rev. A. l.. Lane of this
city, offered an Invocation, Rev. E. P. Thwing
read from John, 21st chapter, and Rev. A. A.
Smith led in prayer.
A committee of nomination, brothers Gar
| celon, Pond, f. A. Smith, Baker and Chaplin,
| reported the following officers, which report
| was adopted.
President, c. Nj. Bailey of Winthrop
| Vice Presidents; David Cargill of Augusta:
f. A. SIN tn of Port and; E. f. Pillsbury Bid
deford; G. w. Garcelon of Lewiston and A.
| Baker of Gardiner.
| Secretaries, j. r. Learned Auburn; w. H.
Hobbs Portland; II. f. Wood OF West Water
Vile.
Treasurer, John Russell Of Portland.
orrespOndending Secretary, H.. H. Burgess
| of Portland.
Business Committee, A. J. Chase, D. Pond,
Pm. Dexter, o. M. COusens and A. Chaplin.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
The Convention assembled at 2 80. A half
hour was spent in devotional exercises led, by
Mr. Rowland OF the Boston Association. The
motion was passed that it is inexpedient to put.
lish the doings of this body in a pamphlet
form.
), Discussion on "The Obstacles to Succe S.
was opened by Mr. Royals of Lewiston, who
spoke of the lack of reported conversions the
past year; the absence of high conservation
to Christ and the existence of reserved forces
not drawn outin activity. Messsrs. Burgess
and Thwlng of Portland, Jones of Winthrop
Father Stevens OF Biddeford, Cargill of Au
. gusta and Dexter of Lewiston, reported from
the associations with which they have labored
Denominational preferences for separat
church work, lack of time and deficiency Q
. | material for officers were mentioned as obsta
3 cles. A brother from New Hampshire sal
that ''who shall be greatest" killed his associs
b | ton.
s Messrs. Weber, A. j. Chase and Bake
e added remarks. The latter thought the chnrc
e of Christ was the best ASSOCIATE )n1and if it wei
it faithful, YIN. G. associations would be useles
is At present however, they are the right hand
o tue church.
d Howard Owen, one of the proprietOrs of tt
Il Kennebec Journal, cited ar instance of anita,
e onism of the church to this work. Il
y thought moreover, that the appearance of tn
l body was OF ahopetul augury. Rev. o.
- Ill BOD
i Sabbath School work as au important featu
lie of association work. Hon. I. H. Hubbal
of spoke on the need of hopefulness These o
N stacles can be overcome. The Lord of hosts
h with us.
Messrs. Garcelon, Hodgkins, Titus, Bak
A. and Sturdvant then spoke in an encouragil
If strain, endeavorlng to relieve the sembre 9
ot pect of some the preceding speeches, which Il
:. darkness and chill of the meeting house seer
n ed to intensity. The stories Capt S. told of
:, Allen Mission were received with evident r,
a ish Father Ward made C racy speech, las
9 ing the lazy, fault-fnding and gossipiag pr
!. fessors of religion, who prefer their ''cake al
- candy" to outdoor work like that just desert
,e ed. By invitation L. P. Rowland of Bosto
e. reviewed the points advanced, showed how
y deal with grumblers, inactive and difficult CHI
W. tans, and how to attract the irreligious by Il
as material advantages offered by association
lg He emphasized the need of a leader, paid
salary if necessary, and the need of usi
a. young men in this work rather than old me
n. useful though some of these are. A "prOmi
IF meeting"is announced for tomorrow. Seven
re six delegates are enrolled already and othe
ora ovpaotaJ