The Portland daily press., 1877-02-02
The Revival NIeetInps

/ Inc REVIVAL meetings
A large audience gathered last evening to
hear Rev. Mr.. Needham, and the exercises
commenced with singing "Al hail the power
OF Jesus name" followed by the hymn, 'Draw
we nearer" Rev. Mr.. Perkins offered prayer
and the choir sung another hymn.
Mr.. Needham read from Nehemiah Cd the
incident concerning Nehemiah's commission to
rebuild the Temple. But a moment interviewed
between the time when the Kings cup-bearer
made answer to the King and the question
yet Nehemiah had time to pray-so we all, if
IN communion with God, can be always in
prayer We learn from the narrative that he
| received commission to repair Jerusalem;
| and when he got there he examined all the riv-
ers; he took care to count the cost and then he
went to God with all his wants.
Choir sang No. 12-"To the work! to the
work" Mr.. Needham offered prayer for
blessing upon the meetings here, also for those
| in Boston and Chicago, praying especially for
Messrs Moody and Sanky and the laborers in
Chicago, and then took his text from Nehe-
| miah 2:17-"TheE said 1 unto them, etc."
Nehemiah said come. let us build, not 60, and
we read in the fourth chapter that the wall was
DNii'' Aho SPoohOi PAOPOooo, bhO hiop ioul udyo
to speak Ito Christians about iChristian work.
Nehemiah was man of prayer, and though he
had but short time to do the work on hand,
he spent three days in meditation and prayer.
he was wise. He had opposition, and we will
look at the character of that opposition. If we
propose to do work here by Gods help we
shall surely succeed. 1t will be to US according
to our faith. We must look to Him and then
all will 60 well. Nehemiah found opposition
among those whom he expected to help Some
of the mobiles would not put their necks to the
work; and if any such are here, let them stand
aside and permit the church to march on. If
any here are tired and weary, let them retire
and rest, and permit the willing ones to work.
But there was opposition. We need never fear
outside opposition if only the church is alive
and prayerful in spirit. Again we see a speci-
men of this opposition in the SCOTS and jeers
of Samballat and his companions. Nehemiah
and his friends watched and prayed But when
the Knockers awaited nothing by jeers and
threats, they resorted to parieying and confer
ences; so often the church is beguiled BY blan
dishments and compromise when threats are
in vain. But Nehemiah said he would not 60
down to meet them, for he was doing great
work. Some time the enemy did this, but he
availed nothing, and just so should the people
of God meet the temptations of the enemy.
But we read in another chapter that Nehemiah
finished the work. Blessed and honorable fact
Nothing drew him away from his one purpose
to serve God in rebuilding His sanctuary and
Holy city. May such be our record as Chris
tian workers
The choir sung Sup and onward, Christian
workers. and Rev. DR.. Smaller pronounced the
benediction.
The house was full and sthe audience gave
close attention to the preacher and seemed n-
terested in, and impressed by his words. He is
earnest but not demonstrative, and takes hold
of his work as though he expected success. The
crowds that come to hear him tell of the deep
interest which the subject of religion is excit-
ing atsthe present time, and every well-wisher
of his fellow men will bid Mr.. Needham God
speed in the effort to arouse desper interest
in those truths by the study and experience of
which men are made better, purer, nobler.
Mr.. Needham, the Evangelist. is about SO years
old, short in statue with bright black eyes and
hair and rather ford complexion. He was
born in country parish near the Lakes of
Killarney. He was converted when quite
young, during the revival OF 1861 He gave up
his situation as cashier in large establish
ment in Dublin, and became an evangelist,
preaching all over Great Britain, being endors-
ed by Spprgeon and other leading men. He |
visited America in 1868 and preached for Mr.. |
Moody in Chicago and then visited many |
places in Canada.and the South. During the |
winter Of 1875 he spent several months in the |
South and great revivals followed his efforts in
some Southern cities. AT Mr. Moodys request !
Mr.. Needham took charge of the overflow
meetings 10 Brooklyn, at the close of which he
sailed for Europe and remained some months
preaching twice day. He had successful
meetings in many of the principal cities of
Great Britain and Ireland Since his return
Mr.. Needham has been holding meetings in
Philadelphia and also at Rev. Mr.. Hepworth's |
church, New York, in both of which cities i'm |
mense audiences have attended on his services. |
The committee announce the following pro- |
gramme; Friday afternoon Prayer meeting |
from to o'clock; preaching in the evening at |
u; prayer meeting Saturday afternoon from |
to o'clock at the First Baptist church; union
tenn perance meeting at the rooms of the Y. M.
G, A, on Saturday evening at u o'clock.
Sunday the meetings will be opened at High
street church, and continue through the week |
as follows: Sunday morning meeting for Chris |
tian workers from 9 to TO- Preaching in the |
evening at 6. Prayer meeting every afternoon |
from to 4, and preaching every evening at u. |
The prayer meetings will be held by Mr.. Need.
ham.