The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-02-05
The Revival Meetings.

Yesterday morning Mr.. Needham held a
meeting at the High street church for Christian
workers, and many availed themselves of the
opportunity to meet him; and with this service
the series of meetings for the week commenc-
ed. Mr.. Needham manifests strong faith that
God will bless the efforts that His people are
making to arouse men to think upon eternal
things; but the preacher thinks it indispensa-
BILE that Christians themselves should first be
aroused.
In the evening the church was filled to its
utmost capacity, and an overflow meeting was
held at the Free street church. The exercises
commenced with singing the hymn, ''Lord L
hear of showers of blessing Rev. Mr.. Fem
offered prayer, and the choir sung the hymn,
'Yet there is room. Mr.. Needham made the
announcement that hereafter only as many
would be admitted as could be seated, and the
rest would go to the neighboring church, and
he would spend some time at each church. He
then read the 9TH chapter of Mark, relating the
incident of the demonac. He read also the
incident of the raising of the daughter of Jai-
rus.
At this point Mr.. Thurston sung solo,
Simply trusting every day."
The text was from 1 John 81. sFor this
purpose the Son of God was manifested that
he might destroy the works of the devil" Je-
sus came to manifest the Father. so that we
need no more be ignorant of God. But satan
came to destroy man-to ruin his soul; sand we
see many under the dominion of evil. Many
deny the personality of satan, but there is
suoh a hpinu xpa hrip to Lost
men-news of freedom from the dominion of
satan. The lowest may have hope. But Je.
sus also came to give men life. Men are dead
to all spiritual life, but Jesus can give these
dead souls life; and he can also revive those
who are cold and sleeping. But Christ came
to renew mems hearts-to regenerate them.
But Jesus also came to give life more abun-
dainty. Christ is the source of this life and he
alone can give it to anyone. The diver in the
deep water draws his life and power from the
pure native air above hm,-so the Saviour
sends US down into this lower world to work
for him and we must draw our spiritual life
and breath from the pure heaven above. But
Jesus also came to put away sin. No other
system can deal with this problem, and no
other being can accomplish the work. But
Jesus came to put sin away by the sacrifice of
himself Christ becomes cur Saviour by bear
ing our sins away in his own person. But men
are afraid of this doctrine Of sacrlfce-of SUBJ
sti tuition. Yet it is the doctrine of the cross
that must save the sinner. Jesus loved us unto
death. If we want to be saved, it is but a step
out of self into Jesus.
The choir sung the hymn, "Only step to
Jesus" 1t was sung after short prayer by
Mr.. Needham. Rev. Mr.. Fem pronounced
the benedictiop, and then multitude remain
ed in the church for the prayer meeting which
was conducted by Mr.. Fem, and quite num-
Der of young men went to the Free street
church where Mr.. Needham addressed. them.
The meetings of the day and evening were
interesting, and the truths presented were
calculated to arrest the attention of those who
came to hear.
DAY OF FASTING AND PRAYER.
The executive committee of the Evangelical
churches in Portland having secured the servi-
ces of the Evangelist, George 9. Needham, to
labor IN this city, are DESTROYS of uniting with
tie Moody and Sankey committee in Boston in
their arrangement to observe Thursday, the
Sth inst, as day of fasting and prayer for the
blessing OF God upon the work now inaugural
ed in this city. They therefore cordially in
vite all Christian brethren and pastors of all
denominations in Portland and vicinity who
sympathise with this movement, to observe
that day as day of solemn heart-searching
confessions and supplcaton.
S. w. LARRABEE, Chairman.
The following services will be held in High
street church on Thursday:
Morning, to II o'clock-Confession and humilia-
tion led by Mr.. Needham.
Afternoon IN O,c bu Paw Dr
Carruthers, Rev. Mr.. McWhinnie and Rev. Mr.
Hincks. Subject: Confession and humiliation.
9 to o'clock-Consideratio of the question
what are the hindrances to deep and wide spread
work of grace amongst u.s." led by Rev DIR. Smaller.
:, Evening. to 8 o'clock..Prayer meeting led by
the hindrances to the works Of the spirit in our
hearts, in churches and our city.''
sto o'elock-Preaching by Mr.. Needham.