The Portland daily press., 1877-06-11


| suggest or zeal prosecute, has been used to
| carry on the work.
Five years since, at a convention held in
Lowell Mass, the Office of State Secretary was
created, whose duty it should be to look after
the general interest of the work in the state,
and hold union gospel meetings in the more des-
titute churches. So great has been the demand
for this kind of labor that there are now 108 of
these secretaries. Two years ago secretary
was employed in this state who with assistance
from this and another association, has done et-
fcient services for the Master The work has
also been prosecuted the pIesent year under
the direction of G. M. Bailey, President of our
State Exection Committee, with good results.
Six members of this association have been en-
ployed all the time, while others have gone out
and assisted in the more public meetings of the
sabbath. The state work has detracted to some
extent from our local interest. as it has taken
many OF onr active members from the city, we
have however prosecuted the work already be-
gun at the commencement OF the year with
some increase OF interest. On closing allow me
to thank the officers and members of this as
ISOLATION, for the harmony with which they
have labored together the past year, also to con-
graduate you upon the opening of this new
year, that you have so efficient officers to di-
rect the work, with so cheering prospect of
success in laboring in the Lords vineyard the
coming year.
DIR. L. L. Dana was then introduced as one
of the original officers of the Association.
After referring TO some of the original asGo-
Citations of the organization, he said that at
the beginning the society had two objects in
view; one the welfare of young men, the other
the promotion of Christian fellowship. He
then spoke of the changes that had occurred
among Christians, in the lberality existing
between the different sects, SO that now in
stead of asking one another of what denomina-
ton they are, we ask instead "what think We
of Christ" "What friend we have in Jesus
was then sung. Mr.. Charles M. Bailey of
Winthrop, president of the State Association,
was then introduced, and gave some account of
the interesting and successful work in the
state.
Rev. Mr.. Updegraff followed and said he
believed in Young Mems Christian Associations,
in all associated effort, because it was power
full. The value of the association is not now
a debatable question. God smiles upon it as
sort of hand maid to the church. How have
we who are at work in the church been strength.
ened by the efforts of these young men. The
time has come when God wants to overthrow
Sectarian walls and have all unite upon the
basis of the salvation of souls. Parents dare
not be Indifferent to this work since it is not
known how soon they may have prodigal son
to be rescued. Jesus is mighty to save' was
then sung, after which the chairman referred
to the work of the association and designated
it as the work of the churches, appealing to
the young men, to business men and to the
women to sustain it.
A collection was taken up at this point.
VIM. Wetherell of Canada, followed, urging
young mensto put themselves under the shelter
of the. association. He thanked God for the
association, not as a means especially of raising
the fallen, but preserving from sin and tempta-
ton. A very affecting incident was related,
cue the perishing" was sung in closing by the
choir and congregation.
The means used by the association to accom-
plish their work are, religious meetings, Sun
day schools social gatherings, reading room,
lectures, library and the press. The present
officers are: President, Prentiss Loring; Re-
cording Secretary. W. H. Hobbs, Correspond
ing Secretary, H. W. Shaylor; Treasurer, A.
S. Colby Librarian, f. S. Partridge.
CONGRESS STREET NJ e. CHURCH.
Friends Ladd of Brooklyn, N. Y, and
Thompson of New Bedford, Mass, occupied
this pulpit. The former preached very i'm
pressive sermon, taking his text from Isaiah 1,
IS: "Come, now, let US reason together" &c.
These beautiful words of invitation came from
him who is called the evangelical prophet. He
had special gift that enabled him to fortell
events with wonderful exactness, and living.as
it seemed, in those far distant times of the
Saviour he had wonderful faith that
took God at his word, and SO he says, Come,
now let us reason together. Come for your own
benefit now. God, by his son, is saying this to
us today. Come unto me and have your sins all
washed away. Do not delay or make excuses.
Come and be saved walk in the light as He is
in the light. Do not say, mo room for Jesus"
but rather let us say, II will come and be for
ever thine" Let US live unto God, and let it
be our meat and drink to do His will. Again
would say, come.
Friend Thompson made the closing prayer
and the pastor pronounced the benediction.
The church was crowded afternoon and even
ing. The audience room looked finely, the fes-
looming and arrangement of the decorations
being in excellent taste. Flowers in baskets,
pots and vases were in great profusion, Even
the canaries seemed to feel the inspiration of
the occasion and kept up constant song of
praise. The notices, "Sow in the morn thy
seed," .''Seek ye the Lord while he may be
found" "Scatter seeds of Kindness" "God
giveth US richly all things to enjoy and "Sow
ye beside all waters" were we'll executed. On
the front or the organ was "Children's day,
June 10th, 1877 Memorial baskets and
wreaths of flowers were placed around the al
tar for George G. Durgip, Eddie Libby and
Nathaniel B. Mitchell. Two large bouquets of
panses with a large Gala in each stood out
prominent among the other beautiful floral Of
ferings
In the afternoon the pastor gave short SER
mon to the children, large number being
present, taking as his text Exodus ii 5, 6. The
life of Moses, from the time OF his being res
cued by Pharaoh's daughter till God took him
home, was presented in a very pleasing and
practical manner.
The evenings exercises commenced with
voluntary. Then followed singing by the
school and prayer by the pastor. A we'll ar
ranged programme was gone through with CON
sisting of recitations, dialogues, singing, &c.
All was done so finely that it would not do to
partcularize.
Rev. Mr.. Updegraff of Ohio, preached very
able discourse at this church in the morning.
The sermon was prefaced with a few remarks
by Rebecca J. Atkinson of New Jersey, upon
Christian fellowship. Rev. Mr.. Updegraff took
his text from John xvii, 81, "That they all may
be one, as thou, Father, art in me and L in
thee, that they also may be one in us; that the
world may believe that thou has sent me-"
The theme of the discourse was the oneness of
Christians in Christ.
In the afternoon there was service for chill
dren. The church was prettly trimmed with
evergreen and hanging plants were depended
from the gas fixtures around the audience
room. 10 the vicinity of the desk there was
profusion of cut flowers and plants. In the
room there were sixteen sweet singing canaries,
which added much to the cheerfulness of the
place. The exercises were of very pleasing
nature, especially to the children. Every seat
in the church was occupied, and extra seats be-
came necessary. The singing by the children,
under the direction of Mr.. Fitch, was very fine.
Three children were baptized by the pastor.
REGULATIONS were given by the children, after
which Rev. Mr. Clark preached short sermon