The Portland daily press., 1877-03-12
Revival Meetings.

| Christian workers at the State st. Vestrv
| yesterday morning, and Mr.. Needham read
| the 9th chapter of Daniel and 4 Cor. xiii
| Mr.. Stebbins sang "Are your windows open
| toward Jerusalem" Mr.. Needham spoke on
the subject suggested by chapter read Cor.
| xili-The superiority of Christian love to the
other virtues and its absolute necessity before a
life OF Christian usefulness is at all possible.
Messrs. Stevens and Stebbins offered prayer
In the afternoon Mr.. Needham preached in the
City Hall; at the opening the congregation
sang No. ZIG. Prayer by Mr.. Fem. Mr..
Needham read Acts 2, 1925, 31-41. Mr.. Steb-
bins sang No %, "The half was never told;.''
Ihree recent converts offered testimony as to
Chrlsts power to save hardened sinners, and
the blessedness of the Christian life; after q
short prayer by Mr.. Needham, Mr.. Stebbins
sang "The Ninety and Nine" The text was
Acts v. 29-31; especially the words: "Him hath
| God exalted to be a Prince and saviour,
Tor to give repentance to Israel and remission
of Sins" Mr.. Stebbins sang "aallelujah,
What a Saviour" and the congregation two
verses of "Just as [ ann In the evening
City Hall was densely packed, and the services
commenced with singing No. rs, "What shall
do 10 be Saved; Mr.. Stebbins sang the solo,
"Oh, the Changing bells of time; after which
Mr.. Needham gave opportunity to several
recent converts to speak of what Jesus had
done for them. Two young men spoke briefly
of their new found hope, and one other who
has been longer in the good way told how the
Saviour has rescued him. Mr.. Stebbps sang
solo, No 95, waiting and watching for
me- after which few moments were spent
in silent prayer, and brief prayer was offered
by Mr.. Needham before he began his sermon.
The text was in John 5; 40-"Ye will not
come unto me that ye might have life. The
Son of God came from Heaven to die for men,
and he now entreats men to come to him and
believe in him that they may be saved. The
Jews were without excuse, for they would not
accept the invitation of Jesus; nor would they
be convinced by his miracles. But we now
have witness to the truth and pc wer of words
of Jesus. Every soul that tsstifes to saving
grace of God is witness for Christ, and we
ought to be influenced by such testimony.
The Jews had four witnesses to the Divinety
and power of Jesus. First they sent unto
John the Baptist, and he testified to the
Divine Mission.of Christ. But they rejected
the testimony of John. second witness was
the miraculous power of Jesus; and yet they
rejected this Also The third witness for Jesus
was God Himself, who audibly testified that
Jesus was Divine A fourth witness for Jesus
was found in the Scriptures; and yet this also
they rejected. Jesus came in His Fathers
name and the Jews would not receive him.
He came in such lowly guise that they
looked upon him with contempt. Not only
would they not receive him, but they would
not believe his word. So now Jesus comes to
those here in various ways, and yet you do not
receive him, nor do you believe his word.
Another charge Jesus made against the Jews
was the text, eye will not come unto me that
ye might have life" This is b fearful Charge
but it is made against many in this assembly.
You will not come to Jesus that you might
have life. Many Of you make excuses-some
say that this way of salvation is not just way;
for an innocent one ought not to die for the
guilty. Another says he will wait till another
day. This is the devil s trap to cheat the soul
out of heaven. If we want to wait Gods time.
it is nOa0. God calls upon you to turn now.
But some of you say "We don't believe in
prayer" All! friends, the time is near when
you will believe in prayer; but then it may be
too late to pray. Some of you say 'We are too
Jesus came to save the chief of sinners What
excuse are you making? Do you say that you
don't believe in preachers, or in church menu
bers? Yet think for moment, that if you are
lost through this poor excuse, what uuspeaka-
BILE folly you commit to rush into eternity un-
saved because some church members are false.
Listen to the loving words of Jesns. He calls
you-may God help you to come now.
Mr.. Stebbins sung q solo-"Almost persuad-
ed'-No. 70. Mr. Needham called upon con-
verts and others to rise up to testify for Jesus,
and then offered a brief prayer, and Rev. Mr..
Fem pronounced the benediction. The au-
dience sung.the doxology, after which grea
number went to the Second Parish church for
the second meeting. The great audience in the
hall gave the most earnest attention to the
word spoken and the interest manifested in
this all-important subject is evidently growing
wider and deeper throughout our city.
Mrs. Needham spoke at the Free street
church last evening and the house was crowd
ed and the audience deeply interested in her re-
marks. After the first meeting was through,
large number went to the vestry to hold
second meeting,
The following are the appointments for the
coming days; There will be prayer meeting
each morning at the Free strest vestry, and
this morning the business men of the city are
specially invited to be present. 1t is hoped
that many of our business men will make an
effort to attend these morning prayer meetings,
as earnest prayer will be offered for them. A
Bible talk will be held from 3 to o'clock at
the Free street vestry; and in the evening Mr..
Needham will preach at the State street church
at half-past7. Today and the three following
days, there will be prayer meeting at 63
Commercial street for the benefit of the classes
that are occupied in that section. 1t will be
from twelve to half-past twelve.