The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-06-15
THE FRIENDS.
PROCEEDINGS OF YESTERDAYS
MEETINGS.
Increase in Both Interest and Attend.
ance.

AZ o CLOCK assembled the usual meeting OF
Ministers and Elders in Reception Hall; no
business was transacted, the time until 9:45 be-
ing occupied by preaching by S. Adelbert
wood, VIM. Thompson, Eli Jones and others.
The meeting then adjourned to 8 o'clock
Thursday morning.
In the main hall at $50 o'clock Allen Jay
conducted a meeting, we'll attended, for gener-
al praise and religious instruction. Interest
ing remarks were made by DR.. Clarke, Allen
Jay and others. At o'clock the regular or
der OF business was resumed in joint session.
On the platform, besides the clerks of both
bodies, were the prominent Ministers and FL
ders, men and women. On the desk was
large box of magnificent pansies sent in by
Geo. B. Buzzell of the West End. The clerk
having declared the meeting open Report of
Committee on General Meetings and other
Gospel work was read by assistant clerk. This
committee states that in the fulfillment of its
duty it has been able to gather a more encour-
aging report than for many years past.
twenty one meetings have been held this
year; some general-at the different quarterly
meetings-one at Lynn, and one at St. Adams
In Fairfield quarterly meeting, and some series
OF meetings prolonged over number of days,
and in one or two instances, weeks. Most or
all OF the families were visited and much per-
so'adt work accomplished. All these meetings,
tits believed, were signally blessed by mani
festations of revivals among church members
and those out out of Christ. The work has
besp much promoted by the aid of ministers
from abroad, notably Sarah Satterthwaite, of
England.
All meetings have been visited, all the quar-
terly and some monthly meetings. In some
quarters there has been indifference, but as
whole the indications are more than favorable.
The money obtained by voluntary contributions
has been expended to the amount of $4,000.
This proved a most timely aid. In the hands
Of the committee is now an unexpended bal
ance of $474. A committee is recommended
to continue the work. One member of the
committee has devoted his time entirely to
this labor; others have been busy for a period
of several months
During the discussion'of this report, inter-
esting details of the work were given by Eli
Jones, a member of the committee. He ad-
vised the preparing of companies of revival
workers, who shall labor in.strengthening weak
communities and establishing new ones. Atten-
ton was called to the fact that in Aroostook
are many Friends and descendants of Friends
who need encouragement from Christian
workers.
Allan Jay gave "reminiscences Of the growth
and progress of the system of yearly meetings
and the fruits of missionary work between sis
ter meetings.
Mary Knowles spoke to the young men and
women, calling upon them to devote their
lives to publishing the gospel; she reminded
them that having received the gifts of educa-
ton and the power of preaching their duty is
to consecrate themselves to the Lord not only
must they come forward, but the society must
support them.
Elizabeth Comstock occupied q few moments
in the same vein; in quiet way these women
made themselves power in the meeting.
Remarks bearing upon the same subject
were offered by Perrin Reynolds, Mary Alice
Clifford and others, calling for an increase of
pecuniary aid. The Friends entertain a spec
ial belief that the power of making money is as
much q gift of God as an eloquent tongue, and
therefore believe in an equal conservation.
The meeting accepted the report and after
reading the names of last years committee de-
cided that the same be continued for the COM
ng year, the minute of which was read.
COMMITTEE ON GENERAL MEETINGS.