Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-10-28
of religious expectation and business depression

of religious expectation and business depression
| make upon the churches"
Rev. c. G. McCully of Hallowell, said that there
was a booking forward to a spiritual quckening
the present fall and ensuing winter on VIVA
grounds it is difficult to decide exactly. Perhaps
the spirit of God, by these various indications, i:
| preparing the way to work nightly in the hearts
| of men. Other facts may account for it, such as
the disclosures OF gigantic frauds and rottenness
in quarters where we have looked for soundneSs.
These things have impressed men with the need
of the purifying power Of the Gospel in their hearts
and awakened a desire to come into higher life.
Even wicked men the need of the nterposition
of God. This feeling is partially accounted for by
the arrival in this country of noted revivalists.
| Bat we should not let our expectations rest upon
man, and not upon God. 1t had truly been sad by
some one that if God had been importuned as
much as Moody and Sankey had, there would ere
this be glorious revival throughout the country.
Fhc prayer seems to be, "My soul, wait thou upon
Mr.. Moody, for my expectation is from him.
This was exceedingly offensive to him. lie ex-
horted ministers and laymen to work diligently IN
the fields where God had placed them, with will
lingness to sacrifice, and firm confidence in the
ordinary means of grace. lie hoped the revival
would come that we should not take it out in ex-
pectation, that while we are waiting Jesus of Naz-
arcth Will pass by. Rev. Mr.. Tappan of Skowhe-
gan, thought we ought not to wait in idle cxpecta
ton. Christians ought to be employing wise and
ingenious methods to bring people within the
sound OF the Gospel. He suggc ted that pastors
help each other, and that protracted meetings be
held. The world is wiser than We; he was sur
prised that christians had so little ingenuity
Rev. Mr.. Dinsmore said it should be our earnest
cndCayor to bring souls to Christ aud forward the
expected work.
Mr.. Nye took the ground that the Lord is ready
and willing 10 pour out his spirit at all times. Equal
demands of duty are made upon us at AZ times,
which VIC should not avoid. If we should hold
meetings. pray and labor earnestly, he had no
Il he sni, would he nom cd ont abunId mt
measure
Mr.. LaiIabcc thought that church members
should be consccrate.i 10 the work.
Prayer was offered by Rev. MIR. Emmcn'. and
the meeting adjourned TO afternoon
AFTERNOON.
A prayer and promise meeting was held, led by
the venerable Father Adams.
This was followed by the conference sermon by
Rev. II. V. Emmons of Hallowc!. The text was
IN Romans 9Th chap, 10Th verse. Likewise the
Spirit also helpeth our intirmities for we know not
what VIC should pray for as we ought but the spirit
itself makch ntcrcossion for us with groanings
which cannot be uttered" All true spiritual life
comes through the Holy Ghost. When we see
something of our needs, and call out in our weak
ness for help the spirit deals with God IN our be-
half, aud brings us up to that life that is hid with
God. When come to the scat OF Gods power,
must cry out for help, without which we perish.
[ Mess we pray we have 10 life in God; but we
cannot pray unless God prays through us. The
theme is practical one to us. 10 pray arlght re-
quircs the will memory and the emotion, and the
full play Of all our forces; requires the utmost
stretch Of all our powers. Skepticism and fall
ure come because we open not our hearts to the
Holy Spirit.
The preacher next anylze1 the meaning of the
passage speaking of physical nfrmity as signifying
dstcmpeI, disease, want power, prostration, all
the avenues Of life open to death. The springs OF
life become low; they must be leplenished with
vitality, CT the eud is death. This was used as a
care Of our spiritual condition. Spiritually in
firm, the gracious spirit comes to help our infirm
itics. When we feel that our prayers are not heard
when entirely helpless, then the Heavenly Help
or comes and girds up our tagging desires and our
withered hands are stretched forth to seize the
horns Of the altar. Every promise we touch is
solid ground, and while we call God answers. We
then have power that is not all our own. We
then come to know how il is that God carries for
ward his purposes and at the same time answers
prayers. The spirit comes down from God and
carries us back to God in his ompany. The spr-
it struggles with US Jacob did with the angels
until the blessing comes.
The speaker enforced the practical pant OF the
OBSCURE. We should commit ourselves to this
Holy spirit that he NAV teach US how TO pray and
what to prav ior-in the name, power, and char
ac:er of Christ. We should hear the voice and
obey. Our cry should be for the spirits influences
that the Holy Ghost may bear our petitions to the
heights Of prevailing power.
The sermon was very Thoughtful one, AMI was
listened TO with profound attention.
The ordinance of the Lords Supper was then
observed, Rev. j. T. HAYES presiding at the table
lie meetings of the conference then closed. The
next semi-annual meeting will be held with the
Congros ational church at Litchfed