The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-10-22

4 ",
The exercises commenced at $50 o'clock with
| prayer meeting conducted by Mr.. Charles M
Bailey of Winthrop, who read the 18th chapte
of Romans, Earnest prayers and addresse
followed by a large number of delegates an
visitors, both pastors and laymen. There wa
l good attendance and excellent spirit mani
tested.
The convention was called to order about 10
o'clock by the President, Mr.. II. II. Burgess o
| this city, who called upon Mr.. David 'Cargill o
| Augusta, to lead in prayer. Mr. Burgess thel
briefly addressed the convention upon the OBJ
iect of the gathering after which the introduc
| tory business of the convention was ATTENDED
to.
The following persons were appointed com
mittee on Credentials: N. D. Curtis, Portland
c. D. Jordan, Biddeford; A. L. Morey, Lewis
ton.
After recess of few minutes the commit
tee reported forty-seven delegates and visitors
present
The following persons were appointed Com
mittee on Nominations G.. A. Wing, Win
throp; j. F. Cobb, Auburn; d. Cargill, Au-
gusta; T. N. Huntington, Bath; M. G.. Aver,
Biddeford; A. S. Fuller, Portland; E. R. Sta,
pies, Bridgton.
The Committee after brief absence, reported
the following persons as officers for the ensuing
year, all of whom were elected; President, j.
r. Learned, Auburn; e-Presidents, c. M.
Bailey, Winthrop; David Cargill, Augusta; j.
f. Cobb, Auburn, N. D. Curtis, Portland; G..
F. French, Lewiston J. M. Moody, Bath; M.
G. Aver, Biddeford; S. G. DAYS., Winthrop;
Corresponding Secretary, w. H. Hobbs, Port
land; Recording Secretaries, c. A. Weston,
Staples. Bridgton; Treasurer,C. A. Wing, Win
throp.
The committee then adjourned.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The young men assembled at two o'clock,
when prayer meeting conducted by Da-
vid Cargill. was held.
The business session commenced at o'clock,
Mr.. 81. Fl. Burgess, occupying the chair in the
absence of the President.
After the report of the business committee,
the report of Mr.. w. H. Hobbs, Corresponding
Secretary, was presented, an abstract of which
is as follows:
AS Corresponding Secretary of the Maine as
sociations he was required to act as Correspond
ing Member for Maine of the International
Executive Committee. By them he was in
structed to remember, in his official capacity,
that 'the associations are not the church Of
Christ; nor are they substitutes for church Or
carnations. They are an arm of the church to
be employed in the special work described.
They are more. Their prime object is the con-
version of young men, and hence every true
moral reform movement has an interest 10 us;
but assYoungl Mem s.Christian Association we
cannot undertake to prosecute. especially, any
one. The associations are not political socie-
ties. They have no political opinions to ex-
press. The Associations when wisely con-
dncted, and according to the purpose for which
they are organized, are the efficient helpers of
the.called and ordained ministry. All honest
opposition is caused by misunderstanding"
He referred to the convention as being the
ninth in number, the first and largest having
occurred at Lewiston in 1868. Several pastors
have been present at every convention and en-
tered heartily into the exercises. Our brother,
Rev. John Allen, old in years but young in
heart, had been present at nearly, if not quite,
every convention.
Upon different occasions the conventions
have declared, among other things, Sin favor
of the legal prohibition of the rum traffic.
against the use OF tobacco against the reading
OF light, fashy and immoral books; and in
favor of the Introduction of games of chance in
the rooms.
The observance of the usual day of prayer,
on the second Sabbath in November, was
recommended.
Reports from only part of the associations
had bSen received, in which it appears that
there are 739 active and 337 associate members;
5000 volumes in libraries; aggregate expenses.
a32 weekly meetings are held and II Sab
bath Schools; there have been about $50 con-
versions, mostly in connection with the Bidde-
ford associations, under the labors of Rev. Mr..
Fowler.
The report Of the Treasurer, Mr.. c. A.Wing
of Winthrop, was then presented as follows:
Cash ON hand at the beginning of the year,
$95.97; interest and collection at Auburn, $42.-
81; paid out for expenses, $19.67; on hand,
$119.12.
Brief verbal reports from the Augusta, Bath,
Pennington, Bridgton and Winthrop associa-
tions were then listened to with much inter-
est.
"Watchman Tell Us of the Night" was then
sung.
The first topic of the convention was then
opened by Mr.. M. G. Aver, "How can we best
promote the study of the Bible" First, under
stand it, get general outline, must make use
of helps-commentaries, biographies, bible his
tories, Greek testament. etc.
Mr. Verranus Morse of Brooklyn-We boast
that we have an open Bible, but to the majority
it is sealed book; every church and every as
ISOLATION should sustainla Bible class, organize
first and then make it interesting.
Rev. John Allen-Have the heart in sympa-
thy with the Lord Jesus and he will unfold it.
Mr.. Winans said the word of God looked very
bright to him.
Rev. Mr.. Pitblado of this city. advocated
much study of the Bible and prayer to God for
enlightenment.
Mr.. David Cargill thought the Bible should
be made to appear as an attractive book-it is
an interesting story.
Mr.. N. D. Curtis of Portland, said the most
essential thing was the right kind of leader.
Mr.. j. S. Turner of Augusta, thought that
we should first point out to the young the in ter
esting stories of the Bible.
Mr.. H. H. Kicker Of. Portland-We should dig
for truths of the Bible.
Rev. S. L. Bowler said we should plan, and
Mr. f. A. Smith thought we should study the
positive and not the negative side of the Bible.
''Some Are Sowing Their Seed in the Day
light Fair was then sung.
Questions from the question box were then
answered. We present few as follows: Shall
ladies be admitted to membership? Mr.. Wing,
Yes. Cannot the Association undertake Bible
readings among the neglectors of religious wor'
ship? DR.. Morse said, yes. Can we receive the
Pentecostal power. If so, how?
"We're Listed in Holy War, Battling : fol-
the Lord" was then sunp
The Committee on Credentials reported fur
ther, after which the afternoon session ad.
journed
EVENING SESSION.
A promise meeting occupied the first half
hour of the meeting, which assembled at
Chestnut street church. The first topic of the
evening, "What new plans shall now be adopt
ed to infuse new vgor into the association, &c,
was opened by Mr.. f, N. Dngley of Auburn,
who said we need faith, not only deep but
sincere; we want the props of self-reliance and
worldly wisdom knocked away. We also need
gospel of good digestion. More temperance
in eating as well as in drinking was required
He knew no better receipt for warmth and Wig.
or than work. If you want to get people tt
work go to work yourself. You must have
Joo ;,;o