The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-10-18
FERRY VILLAGE.
Meeting of the Portland District Minis
terial Association.

terial Association.
The temperance meeting held Tuesday eve
ming was a success, and before the hour of
meeting the church was well filled.
In the absence of the president of the meet
ing, Rev. D. B. Randall was called to the chair
and after singing by the congregation and
prayer by Rev. j. NJ. Woodbury., Bro. Randall
addressed the temperance workers present in
words Of thrilling power on the Struggle before
us and the fearful results of neglect of our re-
sponsibilties. q
He believed that the issue before us would
break up the present political organizations.
AT the close of the opening remarks by Bro.
Randall, Bro. Bragdon read an essay on
the second topic Of the programme, ''The
future of the Temperance Question"
In commencing, the speaker alluded to the
magnitude of the theme and in a few words
referred to our struggles in the past. He re-
ferred to progress made and the forces in array
against US at the present time, -ourdefeat
in Ohio and its cause-our triumph in Iowa
and its possibilities; thenspoke of the constitu-
tional amendment pending in this State-the
possibility of its defeat and the ground lost
in such an event. He then pass ed to notice,
that in progress of Christian civilization and
Gospel triumph, final victory is an assured
certainty.
The speaker emphasized the Importance of
training our children to act from principal in
the struggle before us and those who come af-
ter us. He placed the rumseller where he
belongs, on the list of criminals, among those
who coolly, deliberately entics the weak to
ruin and death.
The essay was followed by singing "Rescue
the Perishing" by the congregation.
Rev. Bro. Freeman, president of the county
association was called upon ald sresponded in
an earnest, eloquent address, the only fault
was its brevity, Rev. E. r. Adams of Bidde-
ford was the next speaker.
He remarked that in order to see good out
look, we must look to the past as we'll as the
present and the future. What was-what is
what is ahead? He spoke hopefully and elo-
quently of progress made already showing the
enemy is not invulnerablel He argued success
TO the constitutional amendment and his words
were full of inspiration.
Rev. S. H. Wetherbee was next called upon
and responded that he had kept the pledge
over sixty years and spoke OF the advance
made already, but there is struggle yet;
the fearful combination OF wealth, power and
dishonesty against the temperance work and
the necessity of union, earnestness land the
education of the young.
1.-THE mistakes of my life" was sung by the
choir, and Rev. John Collins was the next
speaker. His address though brief was full
of fire and his prophecy of triumph thrilled
every heart like the,voice of an angels trumpet
"Hold the Fort" was sung with much spirit
and Rev. A. Hatch briefly addressed the audi
ence. Rev. j. M. Woodbury. was called upon
and responded with cheering words, pointing
TO signs of victory.
Noah b. Knight, president of the Ferry Viii
lage Reform Club was called upon. He spoke
briefly but feelingly Of his joyful feeling for
the words of hope this evening.
The choir followed with the song "Where is
my boy to-nght?"
Rev. Mrs John Collins then addressed the
mothers, sisters and young people in very ten
der words. We have no rum shops here, she
said, but change around, and tobacco and beer
are the baits the tempter uses.
Mrs. j. @. York declared her readiness for
any temperance work. She referred weepingy
to her bitter experience, Notwithstanding her
own efforts for others
The service closed with singing the Dox-
ology.
WEDNESDAYS PRocEEDING5
The association met at o'clock, with OPEN
ing prayer by Rev. J. Cobb, Rev. G. j. Clarke
presiding
Took up article s of the programme, and
Rev. Mr.. Kimball spoke briefly.
Rev. Dr. McKeown called the attention of
the meeting to an article in the PRESS from
President jackson, pledging that the Maine
Central road would run no more Sunday
excursion trains while the present officers hold
position.
Rev. DR.. McKeown was appointed a CON-
mittee to convey to President jackson the
approval and endorsement of this association
of his action in the matter.
The utility of Campmeetings," the seventh
topic, was taken up, and Rev. P. Jaques re-
sponded, but had no essay. He commenced by
saying he never was a campmeeting man, but
he believed while the church was progressing,
some aspects were less favorable than
formerly, and he contrasted former camp
meetings with the almost failure of such meet
ings the past few years, He closed by saying:
GAS campmeetings are managed at the present
day, do not believe there is any utility in
them"
Rev. E. W. Hutchinson read paper on the
same topic The essay deplOred the decline of
spiritual power in modern campmeetings,
caused mainly by excursion parties and fash
ionabe amusements etc. For these causes the
essay deemed the utility of cAmpmeetings
thing of the past.
Article of the programme was called, and
Rev. j. NJ. Williams presented an essay on the
topic "The influence of William, Prince of
Orange, on Professionalism"
Any church or society desiring a lecture full
of instruction, reliable as history, thrilling as
romance, will do we'll to avail themselves of
this literary gem for an evening OF more than
usual profit and interest.
Rev. DIR. McKeown presented the report of
the committee chosen to correspond with
President jackson of tho Maine Central rail-
road.
The report was accepted and the committee
instructed to forward it with the resolutions
passed yesterday relating to Sunday camp
meeting TO President jackson of the Maine
Central railroad.
The ninth topic was called and Rev. l. Lord
read an essay defining the relation in the min
istry OF our church.
At . o'clock the laymsn not being present to
discuss the question referred to them, after
prayer by Mr. Mcintyre, Rev. George d.
Lindsay read an essay on "The utility of camp.
teresting treatment of the question and left
the impression that it is about time to seek
some means Of grace less Objectionable than
the modern campmeetng.
Inc eleventh topic was called and Rev. j.
Collins read an essay on 'The evil effects of
the ecclesiastical balance Of power" using the
expression as an illustration Of what a balance
of power would be in the relation of our
churches.
The twelfth theme was presented by Rev.
W. w. Baldwin: SIS our discipline properly
explained and enforced?" Rev. Mr.. Baldwin
briefly explained that he had not time to at
tend to The duty assigned to him and asked to
be excused. Voted to assign the topic to Rev.
Mr.. Baldwin for the next meeting.
exegesis of Acts 9:7 aud 22:9 relating to the
light and voice heard by Saul of Tarsus.
The association proceeded to fix the place of
meeting. Invitations were received from
Chestnut Street, Congress Street, Biddeford
and Conway. Chestnut Street was fixed Ipon
as the next place of meeting.
w. w. Baldwin, e. S. Stackpole and NJ
@. Pendexter were appointed as q committee
to prepare a programme and publish notice of
the next meeting.
The order of the day was taken up: "The
time limit from tha laymen's standpoint"
Rev. Charles Baker led the discussion and ex-
pressed his conviction that though the ''time
limit' had worked we'll, the time had come
for its removal.
Messrs. Hubbard. Eastman and TiIton smoke
in decided opposition to the proposed change.
Mr.. Geo. l.. Kilnball said "at first he
thought fsyorably of the change; after some