The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-10-09

dained missionary" The proposal made by
the Secretary was that contributions be in-
creased so that the ordained missionaries
ber) be increased SO that there might be
three to every 100000 dependent upon this
Board. This proposal would require an in
crease to six hundred ordained missionaries
and a proportionate number of assistants
from America. The secretary did not pro-
pose so great an increase The actual num-
Der proposed was three hundred more or
dained missionaries, twenty-five physicians,
twenty-five laymen in various capacities to-
gether with their wives, and two hundred
women besides, in the aggregate twice as
many workers as are now in the field. Such
proposal might we'll have appalled, any
body of men. At the meeting on Thursday
morning the proposal was met in an unex-
pected manner. During all the meetings,
the speakers and hearers alike, the reports
OF various committees and discussions of the
informal committees that gathered and dis
solved without design in the halls, all showed
no disposition to yield any ground occupied
by the Board or to stop the advance now in
progress. The meetings of the Board are
always enthusiastic aud this was no excep-
ton. On Thursday morning Hon. VIM. E.
Dodge of New York, gave the first impulse
by asking if "we' could not double "our''
subscriptions, and pledged himself to do SO.
Instantly similar pledges came from all quar-
tiers. Wealthy men promised their thous-
ands; home missionary pledged a tenth
of his meagre salary. 1t seemed that hun
dred thousand dollars were to be pledged
within short time, when the scene ended
in large share of the immense audience
rising to their feet to signify pledge of
doubling their contributions of the last year.
The moment was one Of great relief. 1t
was felt that the contributions of 100000
desired for the next year were sure to come.
The subsequent sessions were marked by an
increased enthusiasm and the crowds that
listened to the orators on Thursday evening
appreciated more keenly the eloquent speak
ers than if they had not shown substan-
tial interest in the work of the Board.
Beside the meetings in the City Hall there
were large overflow meetings il the First
and Second Parish churches. DeIomina-
tional comfy was pleasantly apparent all
through the sessions in the presence and
participation of representatives of other de-
nominations in the exercises, also in the
courtesy of the First Parish church in plac-
ing their church edifce at the disposal of the
committee of arrangements Most of all
was the sentiment of Christian fellowship
apparent in the address of DIR. Hill, pastor
of the First Parish church, and Units recep-
ton by the immense audience in the CITY
Hall on Thursday evening. The thousands
in the City Hall and the hundreds in the ov
erfow meetings attested the keen interest in
anything that could be heard from the many
speakers from abroad The missionaries
present who were temporarily in this coun-
try, among whom are some of the sons and
daughters of Maine, may well command
admiration both for themselves AID their
heIoism.
The closing exercises on Friday morning
were made especially interesting by the fare
well addresses of the missionaries who are
soon to start for their fields of labor The
words of Dr. Blodgett, the veteran missiona-
ny to China, were especially touching Upon
this occasion; and when he took his seat
there were not many dry eyes in that vast
assembly. The resolutions of thanks en-
phasized by the eloquent words of President
Hopkins, the response of Mr.. Dickinson, the
Chairman of the Committee of Arrange
ments, the singing Of "Blest be the tie that
binds" and the benediction by the venera-
bic DR.. Carruthers, closed one of the largest
and most enthusiastic meetings Of the Amer
lean Board. Next year the great gathering
will be in Detroit. We congratulate that
city upon its coming blessing.