The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-06-03
Religious Department..
THE MAY MEETINGS.

THE MAY MEETINGS.
For more than tily years the Anniye,sa-
rles have been a marked feature of the re,io-
ious history OF New England. When Boston
was third OF its present size and knew but
little of the excitement of mass meetings
which are now of almost daily occurrence:
when there was novelty and freshness to
the beginning OF certain philanthropic enter
plises which now are old, and when the stage
coach or the one-horse ''shay" brought the
good man and his wife on their annual visit
to town to do their shopping and their meet
ings too-the Anniversaries formed IN, no
ra6le epoch and marked place in the Y, ar,y
calendar second to none in interest.
The common lemark now is that the glory
OF these gatherings has departed. 1t is frus.
Even the hospitalities offered to the Copere-
gationai clergy and their wives during the
meetings hardly increased the number. ner.
ceptibiy. The extreme beat OF the first two
days and the floral aud musical attractions of
Decoration Day interrupted the exercises to
some extent. A welcome rain followed and
cooler winds, but the attendance on the old
regular Societies was small. The Sunday
School meetings where children sung. and the
Women meetings, Free religiohists and DO
litical discussions drew people by curiosity.
But few star speakers were on the pround
The brilliant TalaaJee OF Brooklyn was an
nounced, without authority perhaps, for he
did not put in an appearance. We heard,
however, Dr. Newman's address before the
theological Glass OF Boston University. nm
wards u an hour in length, but grand and in-
spring. He spoke Without notes. IL was
the gem OF the week, both in substance and
style. The value of rhetorical and elocut,on-
ary training which he insisted on was illus
trated in his own address, while it lacked
none of the higher junction. that comes from
earnest moral convictions. The speaking of
the graduating class was very creditable, and
showed the admirable drill to which Prof.
Leonard had subjected them. The Metho.
dists have had this Divinity school in opera-
ton about 25 years, b 1t the University with
which it is connected is but year old. 1t
will give new impulse to the work of fur
nishing an educated ministry for this infu-
ential denomination.
The American Seamen's Friend Society re-
ported 100000 receipts and 37l3 libraries of
$4,000 volumes now afloat in the hands of
nearly 2O0,O0O sailors ); 45 ehapels and 100 con-
versions reported by letter as fruits of the IL
brary system. Rev. Mr. McKense, formerly
OF Augusta made the only address and dweit
on the tact that there were hall milton sail
ors in American vessels and that we owed to
them debt OF gratitude which could be no
better paid than by lgIving them the gospel.
We should have been better pleased if some
thing could have been said about the responsi.
bilities OF owners and shippers and Other reg
ulations that look to the physical comfort and
safety Of seamen and thus directly aid in their
moral elevation.
The Boston Tract Society had a business
meeting which in its tameness ana quiet, dis
appointed those who expected the ieopening
OF iold questions such as have for several
years past made the occasion something OF
exciting interest. w. c. Chapm was chosen
President. Henry Wilson, w. K. Nicholson,
N. w. Smith and j. b. Dunn, Vice Presidents
and Arthur Gilman, Secretary and Treasurer.
1t was stated that $l501,would cover expenses
and 5000 worth OF books and tracts could be
given away in grants. tThe sale OF books by
Hurd Il HOuehton IS about So, 900 per an
mum. They announce as the last issues,
bearing the societies imprint that popular
tale OF "Six Boys" as told by a Mothers Jour
nal, first published in the Sabbath at Home,
and also Green's "Bbe Sketches" for yoHng
| people, illustrating the life of Christ in the
world. Each are in the comely dress OF the
| Riverside Press and are above the common
| grade Ol religious novelettes. The wisdom OF
| this change was forcibIy shown by one. of The
| speeches in Music Hall by divinity student
Wednesday on Ministerial Financierhg," in
which the management of the Book Concern
i ny C'CIsyilcfi llStedu Vi business men was
sharply rebuked. The hearty applause certi-
| fled to the fitness of the criticism. A house
of established reputation like that now man
ufacturing the Tract Society's books is a. far
better agent than any "COncern" in the hands
| of preachers,
The Bible Society have issued 1854 copies
the past year, 2277 in foreign languages and
| S5S2 gratuties. Receipts $40,973. The old
board of officers was re elected.
The Female Suffer-agists-as they have
been called by some who wDted under the
hot weather and the long essays read-turned
out in good numbers. Lucy Stone, Grace
Greenwood, Julia Howe, Mrs. Lucas, sis er
of John Bright and other prominent speakers
| were heard. The fact was distinctly stated
that free-lOve and other abominations were
rejected and that the organization will be held
to just one aim-the ballot Tor woman. We
cannot report details. An admission of
twenty-five cents did not prevent the gather
ing of audiences OF quite respectable size.
The Labor Reiormers were addressed by
Wendell Philips, DIR. Haven and others.
There were 43 present at the opening of the
| Wednesday afternoon session. and rs in the
evening. The Universaist Festival was bet
ter patronized at Faneuil Hall. 500 being
present. But then the caterer TUFTS and the
GermaHias had not a little to do with il. The
CongreeatiOnalist clcrgymen and guests also
had delightful time at Horticultural Hall
under the direction of their Club. At the
Temperance Alliance Drs. Miner and Eddy
and others said many wise and otherw;ss
things, their handling of Rev. Mr.. Wright ol
Berkeley street being emphaticslly without
gloves OF the Spirituast Convention, the
Unitarian dinner and other features oil inte.-
est we have no space to speak.
Although, as already indicated, the May
meetings have lost much OF their prestige and
in proportion to the multiplication OF tbeil
number have lost in size and flavor, there i.
no Immediate probability Of the abandon
ment of these vernal festivals. Apart iron
their Importance as related to the societie
represented, the opportunities they furuis
for social reunion are not among the least o
the advantages they yield TO those who. iron