The Portland daily press., 1877-03-14

| in the afternoon the church was crowded above
and below by those who came to hear Mrs.
| Needham. Her Bible talk upon the passage in
Solomon's song, 9th chapter-where the church
Is compared to the moon-the points of COM
parIson being in these respects-that its light is
by night; by refection-is given unequally-is
eclipsed, and full of spots. The audience were
most cheehy interested in the discourse, and
great good is manifestly accomplished by these
meetings.
In the evening the church was full and the
exercises commenced with singing hymn No.
2O-"Call them ip,'' and Mr.. Abbott offered
| prayer Hymn No. Sc was sung-"ln the
silent Midnight Watches" and Rev. Mr.
Hincks offered prayer Mr.. Needham read the
18th chapter Of Matthew, narrating the Parable
of the Sewer. The speaker remarked that
we need specially to guard against any reaction
after season of Gospel preaching; we need to
strive and pray that we may Lot pass through
these meeting unaffected. The truth that does
not soften, serves to harden the heart, and if
we resist the Holy Spirit in these meetings we
may be lost forever; we are all sowing seed
some good, some evil; and we shall leap as we
SOW. Mr.. Needham offered prayer, and Mr..
Stebbins sung the solo, No. 92-"What shall
the bavest be?' The text was Matt 10:
Hear ye, therefore, the parable of the Sower."
Jesus is the great sower, but all his ministers
and followers also are sowing seed. Some of
US have seen great things from the word; we
have great faith in this word, no matter if it is
sometimes sown in bungling manner; it will
prodace great effect; therefore as you go out
to see your neighbers and friends to talk about
religion, take the word of God, talk it, read it,
preach it, and by all means fill your own soul
with it so that it may nourish you, and your
may have much to give to all about you. The
seed s0wn by the way side produced no frait,
for Satan came and took the seed away. 1t
fell upon the edge of the understanding and
SO the Devil takes it away. Some do not
believe in personal devil, but if there is no
personal devil, there is no personal Holy Ghost
and no personal Christ. There is a Devil, a
roaring lion, dragon, serpent, ready to
snatch away the seed and lure your soul to
ruin. He picks aways the seed in many ways.
He says that the word is not true; that the
case is not so bad as the preacher represents.
He leads the nearer to 60 away cIiticising the
preacher. Some good people ruin all
the their efforts to do good by
wickedly finding fault with the preacher.
Again, some at first gladly receive the word and
set out eagerly in the good way. But they find
the word sharp and cutting, reaching to the
heart and inner life; and so they get discourage
ed and draw back. Let the young disciple be
faithful to his convictions and his duty-bear
his cross and press on to eternal life. Again,
some seed fell on thorny groand, and the word
was checked by the thorns and brought forth
no fruit. We find that four things did this
cares riches, lusts of life and pleasures of life
these served to choke the word and ruin the
soul. Why do we so let these anxious cares
trouble us? God is not dead nor is he ten
thousand miles away. He sees our needs and
will supply all our wants. Let US roll our bur-
some are occupied with the love and acquisition
of wealth. Riches choke the word and almost
ruin the church. 1t is fearful thing to be
rich man in these days when the work of the
Lord is in such pressing need. But how often
do the pleasures OF life ruin the soul? How
many young women are endangering the soul
by novel reading? How many young men are
fastening to sdestruction over the gambling
table-a novel, a pack of cards, the theatre,
the ballroom, the drinking-ssloon-any OF all
of these may ruin the soul. But fourth class
received the word, and brought forth fruit and
perfection. 1t is only step to Jesus-it is to
believe the word of one who is absent, set bids
us to believe Him. serve Him and be saved.
God grant we may get to Him and be forver
blessed.
Mr.. Stebbins sung the solo No. 11-"Only
step to Jesus, why not take it now?" Mr..
Needham pronounced the bene3iction and the
meeting was dismissed though many Of the
audience remained to the second meeting.
1t is earnestly hoped that everybody who can
go, will make an effort to hear Mr.. aud Mrs
Needham. The more Mr.. Needham is beard
the more his hearers are interested in him; and
those who have not heard Mrs Needham in
her Bible readings should by all means hasten
to secure themselves that great pleasure.
The appointments are as follows: This
morning prayer meeting at the Free street
church; and it may be remarked that many are
finding these morning meetings very precious
sessions. The special subject of prayer this
week is the conversion of business men. This
afternoon Mr.. Needham will commence a series
of Bible talks upon the Jewish Priesthood
designing to bring out the points of contrast be-
tween that system and the priesthood OF Christ
This evening Mr.. Needham will preach in State
street church and the vestry of thai church
will be opened for an overflow meeting, and
Mrs. Needham will give an address Mr.. Need
ham also will make brief address and Mr.
Stebbins will sing.
A very interesting meeting was held in Con-
CREST street church last evening. Rev. Mr..
Fem presided and delivered short discourse.
Mr. Samuel Thurston sung several hymns with
fine effect This evening Rev. Mr. Blanchard
of Cumberland Mills, is to conduct the services.