The Portland daily press., 1877-02-12

Yesterday morning Mr.. Needham met the
gathering of Christian workers at High street
church and spoke of the duty of earnest effort
for the Master, calling the attention of those
present to the parable of the laborers in the
vineyard. In the afternoon City Hall was fill
ed by an immense throng and he spoke of the
six cities Of refuge. In the evening the hall
was filled in every nook and corner, and the
services commenced with singing hymn No.
ia, Il need Thee every hour" and Mr.. Need
ham offered prayer Hymn No. 80 was sung :
"Rescue the perishing." Mr. Needham then
read from Psalm g. 81 will praise Thee, o
Lord &c., and then from the 9lst Psalm, HE
that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most
High &c. The same subject of Cities of
OF Refuge was to be continued, and the preach
er referred to one fact concerning them which
he omitted in.the afternoon. There was room
enough in them for every fugitive. Mr.. Sam
uel Thurston, at this point sang sweet solo
hymn No. %, "Yet there is ROOM" The text
was from Isaiah xviii, 16 and II: "Jesus a
hiding place-a refuge" L wish, said the
speaker, to point out false refugees in which
many seek safety. Many trust in Gods mercy
ciful but when persistent sinner holds on to
his sins and yet says he trusts in Gods mercy,
he is only abusing Gods mercy. What good
will the mercy of God do US if we reject his
Son. If the fugitive, escaping from the aven-
ger of blood, gets to the city of refuge and
stays outside the gate the city will do him no
good. Another city of refuge fatal to many is
self righteousness. If we trust in this we
shall find this city burning about our heads. 1t
may be that we are not so bad as others, but
we are all violators of the law and SO are con-
demned, and we need the mercy of Jesus and
his atoning blood. Self-righteousness is poor
refuge Another false refuge is when people
try to do something to save themselves. They
say they are doing the best they can. But is
this true. Do you pray? Have you prayed to-
day? Have you read the Bible to-day? How
much have you given in charity to-day? What
have you done to curb selfshness to-day? This
is refuge of lies. Suppose we do the best we
can now. What will remove the old sins ?
ALL we need Jesus. Another false refuge is
most evil of ala city of refuge built out of
the sins and faults of protesting Christians.
do not wish to excuse the sins of Gods people;
but the very fact that you blame these I'M
faithful professors proves that religion is
good thing, and you ought to live just such a
holy life as religion demands. Why do we
judge all is evil in religion because we see some
faulty ones? 1t is poor excuse, telling CT
sinful heart and weak mind. God help you
but where will you go? Go to Jesus; he is
the true and all-sufficient Saviour and none can
take US from Him. Let us have the banner of
the cross wrapped about us and then no foe
can harm us. Delays are.dangerous. 1t will
not do to stop and play with flowers on our
way to the city of refuge. All, if we would be
saved we must flee now to the refuge. Jesus
calls to-day; let us hear his voice and escape
now. Some say, not now, not tonight but be-
fore tomorrow you may be in eternity. The
city Of refuge and safety is before us-Iet us
flee in all haste from the avenger of blood. We
shall be safe when we are once within the city
safe in Jesus. A moment was spent in ST.
lent prayer. Hymn No. 81 was sang. "Ten.
derby the shepherd &C., and Mr. Needham
pronounced the benediction. An overflow
meeting was held in the Second Parish vestry,
which was full. After the services was ended
prayer meeting was held in the large hall,
which many attended, and an inquiry meeting
was held in the Reception Room. The hall
was more crowded than on Friday evening and
the sermon was deeply impressive.
1t is said that Mr.. Moody will visit this city
one day this week to assist in the work. He
will hold three services at City Hall when he
comes