The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-06-17
Reported for the Pressl
The BAPTIST Anuiversaries


vention was devoted to general and impromp-
| tn discussion of the work of the Convention.
Addresses were made by Rev. L. G. Stevens of
| Massachusetts, j. Kicker d. D., and Others
| The speakers all recognized the fact that
| great and glorious success has crowned the la
bors of the year. The remarks were enthusi-
asic and eloquent tributes to the faithful and
earnest workers through whose efforts this sue
cess has been achieved. Adjourned.
EVENING SESSION
The services of the evening opened at
| o'clock with meeting of the Woman's Baptist
| Missionary Society, at which reporters were not
| admitted. The service was conducted by Miss
| Milett, President of the Lewiston Woman's
| Missionary Society After devotional service,
the large company of ladies present were ad-
dressed by Mrs. Gushing, wife of Rev. j. N.
Cushing, missionary among the Shans. Mrs.
G. has spent nine years in Burmah, and the
story of her experiences among the people of
that country were exceedingly interesting,
sometimes thrilling.
At u o'clock the Convention assembled for
devotional service, which was led by Rev. A.
Il. Crane. very large number participated.
and the meeting was one in which very unc-
ton from above seemed to move the hearts of
the large audience present.
At s o'clock the Convention listened to the
annual sermon by President Robins of Colby
University. The spacious notwithstanding
over 1O0O-was filed to its utmost capacity, not
less than 1900 persons being present.
PRESIDENT RoBlNs's SERMON.
Text Cor. 2: s. ''Our sufficiency is of God"
T. TO IoG hricf
minister that he should have a correct and
vivid conception of his work. Equally impor-
tant is it to the nearer that the minister should
have correct understanding of the end in view.
Our topic this evening shall therefore be, The
Conditions of Ministerial Efficiency.
First, then, what is the peculiar mission of
the Christian minister? To this question, the
Scripture replies, "To build up the body of
Christi This embraces t he conversion of men
and their addition to the Church, and the Gull
ture of human hearts, thus converted into the
full growth of the Christian stature.
ID. Who shall execute go stupendous a
scheme? Scripture answers, "God." God
alone could plan; God alone can execute so
marvellous plan. There is vast inclusive
sense in which God doeth all things, but this
implies no direct divine agency, and involves
no responsibility. In far different sense does
God work through those who build up the body
of Christ In these last, there is a direct action
of the divine power which carries with it re-
sponsibility for the result, and merits the
praise of the completed work. These may be
distinguished as Instruments or as agents of the
divine potency. PLATE was a divine lnStru-
naent Paul was a divine agency. Plate was
controlled by God to the working out of His
purpose. Paul was inspired and energized to
the doing of the Divine will.
Sd. From all this it is evideut that the eff
cheney of the ministers of Christ is proportion
ed always to the measure of the indwelling in
SEPARATION of the Divine Spirit. Christ himself
was the perfect and archetypal man, because
this control and indwellng of the Divine
Spirit and purpose was entire and absolute, and
this may come in large measure to every agent
of Christ
Much of ministerial efficiency may come
while he is but the Instrument of Christ. But,
OH what an abyss does this reve al into which
we must ever watch lest we fall to fearful ruth.
But the true minister of Christ is called of God
to be nothing but the interpreter and agent of
the divine purpose.
According u tIlo u0STGe, LutItlOEe, VI Hill
ister's spirituality IS his wisdom-for the Holy
Spirit is the spirit of wisdom The speaker
here cited examples OF this truth in glowing
ard eloquent terms. So also according to
minister's spirituality will be his courage, his
fearessness, his power to fling everything, even
life itself, into the word of God.
Again, according to minister's spirituality
will his love be, for the Holy Spirit is the spirit
of love. Finally, according to minister's spirit
uaty will be his faith. This is the supreme
and fontal grace. 1t is the antithesis of sight.
Faith is to sight as light is to darkness. The
one excludes the other. As soon as the light
dawns the darkness is no more. As soon as
sight is possible, faith in the nature of the case
is impossible. Faith accepts Gods word, and
on that, and on that alone, irrespective of all
outward supports rests, labors and hopes.
The speaker here proceeded i'll eloquent and
burning words to demonstrate the nature and
power of faith, such as this, to give efficiency
and success to the work of the Christian minis
Ter. Numerous illustrations were cited, nota-
= bly, that afforded by the life and aboIs of judi
son. Sublime faith! Wonderful ffi,iency,
com mensurate with the sublimity of the faith.
The importance OF faith is clearly seen when
we approach the revelation Except corn of
wheat fall into the ground and die it abideth
alone; but if it die, it brngeth forth much
fruit Through death, into life! This is the
pathway! Who can walk in it? Not now in
these better days does God summon us to serve
Him by martyrs death, but He does call us,
according to our spiritual power to bear, to a
martyrs ife-a daily offering, living sacrifice,
unrecognized of men. concealed, perhaps from
men, but often demanding, venture to say,
more heroic faith than that of those whose
lives assembled on the wings of flame holo-
caust unto God.
Thus, as God has enabled me, L have set be-
fore you the Christian minister's vocation and
the conditions of his efficiency. Behold what
wisdom! what courage what love! what faith
in word, what spirituality! Who, who is
sufficient for these things?" But ''our suffer-
ing is of God!'
There is probably no man in the Baptist pull
pit of Maine at the present time who possesses
In larger measure the power and eloquence
which SO largely contribute to the successful
preacher than DR.. Robins. In all of these the
preacher was at his best last evening, and the
vast audience was held in closest attention dur
ing the entire service.
SECOND DAY.
An early morning prayer meeting was held
at half past five. a goodly number were pres
ent and delightful service was enjoyed.
At o'clock the Convention re-assembled,
aud devotional service of half an hour was
held, conducted by Rev. w. o. Thomas OF Gar
diner.
At 81 o'clock business was resumed. The
Committee on Publication reported series OF
resolutions, recommending new zeal in the dis
tributing of the Bible. regretting the increased
circulation of nominaly independent religious
papers, commenting the lions Advocate;
thanking the Publication Society for its renew
ed efforts to meet the wants of New England.
Addresses were made in support of the resou-
tions by Revs. f. L. Hazelwood, S. Boothby
and J. Heath. The report was accepted.
~ fa1
a series of resolutions commencing the Home