The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-02-09
The Revival Meetings.

From to IL a. m. period of prayer and
confession was held. and from to p. m. a
meeting conducted by the pastor was held, IN
| which was considered the present duty OF Chris
tians in reference to work of revival. In the
evening Rev. Mr.. Fem spoke of the means by
which Christians could make this day OF spir-
itual advance. We must confess and fOrsake
sin; true penitence demands this. We must
consecrate ourselves anew to God-to be faith
full servants and it is most important that we
have right views Of the duty ard the means OF
securing this conservation. To lift ones self,
or to try to life ones self to higher plane of
Christian life insures failure; but to do so by
Chrst's help will insure success. 1t is necessa-
ry to 90 to Jesus-to be filed with the one alb
sorbing passion-love to Christ. Close to this
is the realization of the poXer of the Divine
Spirit-the spirit of Christ and of God. This
spirit is wise teacher, and when He touches
any human lips then no human heart can resist
His message, ana the messenger will regard no
obstacles, fear no enemy, hesitate at no duty.
We Deed these things to make this fast day one
OF spiritual profit. To confess and forsake eve
~ known sin. 70 give ourselves heartily to
God, to be His willing servants. To be filled
with the love of ChAist. To have the leading
of the Holy Spirit. The choir sung hymn No.
4, Thine, most gracious God,' and Rev. Mr.
Wright offered prayer. The congregation sung
the Doxology, "Praise God from whom all
blessings fow," which was followed by by mn
No. H. "Ony step to Jesus" Mr.. Needham
read the 14th chapter of Hosea, and said he
wished to speak on the lice of the subjects re-
Fnrr tbn
of the back-shding of Israel? The word to the
back-slider is-'Return" not to the church,
but 10 God. Israel was full of sin They had
ceased to grow in the knowledge of God, and
that Is the trouble with the church now. We
must have more TO do with our Bibles. Many
Christians iud time to read novels or political
or scientific works, but find little tine for Gods
word. Again, we learn from the 9th chapter
that when Israel knew the cause of their sick.
Ness they went for help to the wrong physician,
they didn't go to God How does God heal us?
We must trust Him, give ourselves up to Him
wholly and heartily. In the 9Th chapter Sth
verse, we read that Israel went into the world,
mingled with ungody races and nations, and
SO became wicked. The church finds itself in
this same condition, and its spiritual strength
is undermined; and yet it is not always con.
scious of its weakness and loss of power. Let
us look carefully into the Bible and we shall
be able to knowff we are growing spiritually
weak. In the 10th chapter we read that Israel
was selfish-bringing forth fruit to themselves
alone. The heart of Israel was divided-not
fixed on God. God claims our entire service
AMI devotion. In the 18th chapter we read that
Israel was back-sliding people. But we read
here of Gods great love. He laments over the
sinful nation; but how cold and Indifferent and
ungrateful are we. In the 18th chapter we read
that Israers help was in God alone, land in the
18th chapter we read Gods loving exhortation
to return and His promise to heal all our back
siders and to love US forever. More than any
human love, God receives and blesses the re-
turning, penitent sinner. Mr.. Needhsm offered
prayer, and the congregation sung hymn No
rs, when peace, like river, attuneth my