The Portland daily press., 1879-05-26
Young Mems Christian Association.

ization was observed last evening in the City
Hall, which was crowded, many having to
stand. The Chorus Choir occupied the plat
form and added much to the interest of the oc-
casion by their singing. Mr.. J. F. Liscomb,
the President of the association, presided.
The exercises commenced with singing "My
Redeemer" by the choir
This was followed by the reading of James
LIST by Rev. 7. D. Anderson, Jr. who invoked
the Divine blessing after the singing Of" Bright
ly CLEANS our Banner" by the choir.
After singing by the male choir the annual
report was read by the chairman, of which the
following is an abstract: The receipts of cash
have been SS6S.S6; amount on hand $9.9S;
about 40 papers and magazines, secular and re-
ligious, have been kept on file in the reading
room; the rooms have been under the careful
oversight of N. A. McAulay, as ianitor and
librarian; in addition to the regular meetings,
in December gospel meetings were begun, con-
Quoted mainly by Frank H. Jones; these have
increased in interest from the beginning, and
many have expressed desire to be Christians
and about 30 have given good evidence of con-
version in December o'clock Sunday morn
day morning meeting was begun; February 16
Bible class was organized, meeting every
Sunday at p. M; a meeting for young con-
verts was started February %, assembling
every Thursday at 3 O'clock all these gather
ings are interesting and profitable; 800 copies
OF the Helping Hand, small monthly paper
published by the association for several years
past, have been distributed every month;
pnn,har Of ttoo ho11
the winter; large number of cards and tracts
have been distributed; the Sunday schools at
behring's Bridge and Aliens Corner have
been sustained with profit, and school at
MorrilPs Corner organized; only one social
gathering has been held; the quarter-centen-
NAL, observed November IL, was an interesting
occasion; successful course of entertainments
was sustained during the winter; the paid-up
membership is 216; four members have died
II r. Hayes, N. Crockett, G. E. Taylor and
w. H. Foye.
After singing eye must be born again." an
appeal was made by the chairman and Mr.
Needham for financial aid for the association
which was followed by collection of $47.45.
"The smitten rock'' was then rendered by the
choir, and "Come over the line,'' solo, by
Mr.. Case.
The theme of Mr.. Needhams address was
tirmness for the Lord as illustrated in Moses
firmness against Pharaoh and his obedience
to Gods call to depart out of Egypt. In Elk.
4:22 God says: "Israel is My son. Let My
son go that He may serve Me-" 1t is natural
that God should desire service of His son.
Israel is His son but he is in bondage to Egypt
and God in His Indignation at the cruel bon
dage in which he is held sends word to Pharaoh
to let His son go. So God speaks for us all.
We are in bondage to passion, to all the evil
desires of our unrenewed hearts. We ought
to be free to serve God, and God speaks to us
to free ourselves from such dominion, but the
devil interposes his power against all our strug-
giles just as Pharaoh did against Moses. The
devil will bring all manner of persecution.
The cold sheer or sceptical question of the hus-
band keeps the wife from giving her heart to
God. But Pharaoh sale. tomorrow you may
go. How many young man has been kept in
bondage by such suggestions as these
But Pharaoh said they might remain in Egypt
and sacrifice. So the devil says you can be re-
hgious. You can get your name on the church
book but don't leave the world. But Pharaoh
said you may go but not far. This is Just the
voice OF the tempter today. You want to go.
The devil says don't be an uncompromising
Christian. But the answer is 1 must 90 the
three days journey out of Egypt into the death
and resurrection of Christ. 1t won't do to lin
ger on the border No good Christian man
can be "on the fence.'
Phaaroh you see gave way but Moses not
bit. He gave permission for the men to go
but he was greatly concerned for the women
and children. But Moses said we will all go.
L like to read OF this, of faithful old Moses;
and SO we want our wives our children, and
all that belongs to us conSecrated to God. If
Christian fathers and mothers are training up
children for the world, they must not be as
tonished If to-day they are riding in the street
when they ought to be in Gods house listening
to His word.
But Pharaoh urged them to leave their
wealth. Some Christian men have wealth in
Egypt all devoted to the world 1t ought to be
consecrated to God and used by them as faith
full stewards of His bounty. What glorious
thing if the wealth of the church was con-
secrated to God There would be no necessity
for strawberry festivals and fairs and grab
bags and plays to help the Lord out Of his
difficulties.
In closing Mr.. Needham urged most moving
ly that all should be firm and loyal to Christ,
and that young men and young women should
come out of Egypt, should give themselves to
Jesus. The cross of the Son of God was the
dividing line between Egypt and freedom.
After another solo by Mr.. Case, the ex-
ercises closed with singing "The half was
never told.