The Portland daily press., 1884-10-22

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met to pray for their children. One striking
instance of answer to prayer occurred in con-
Dection with this meeting, illustrating Gods
readiness to bear the prayers of his people.
Then, many requests were made by those
present for the prayers of Christians in behalf
of children and families. Many rose for
| prayer for themselves, and the congregation
| united in silent prayer in their behalf Mr..
Bliss of Boston led in prayer and was followed
by Mr.. Moore of Somerville, and Rev. A.
| Ladd OF Biddeford. Mr.. Moody asked that
two brethren would lead in prayer for
blessing upon the word that should be preach
| ed to the men in the evening meeting. Revs.
Mr.. Hallock of the Williston church, and
Mr.. Daniels of the Second Parish church led
in prayer.
Mr.. Moody dismissed the audience with the
| benediction.
The morning meeting was full and an in
creased number of Christian workers from
abroad, ministers and laymen, we're present,
and the addresses and remarks of the speakers
taking part, were exceedingly interesting and
suggestive; many of them being responded to
by the hearty "Omen" of interested listeners.
The Afternoon Meeting.
The afternoon session opened with prayer by
Rev. Mr.. Jones of Gerham, and singing under
the direction of Messrs. Stebbins and Fitch
Attendance 1900.
Rev. Mr.. Bates OF Boston was introduced as
the first speaker of the afternoon "How 10
| conduct prayer meeting" was the subject of
| his remarks.
To answer in one sentence. he would say slet the
| spirit of God conduct the meeting the conductor
| the sim ing and all who pray lie had more hope
else to promote that cause. The meeting that IS
called the prayer meeting is oitentimes something
else. The term is sometime inapproprately applied
| A godly man is the proper man to conduct The
prayer meeting, anu his second trait should be good
common sense. He should not be known chiefly for
| Having leader who possessed godliness. common
sense and tact, he would then propose the sit gng
Nearer MY God to Thee" Mr. Bates had much
conf hience in silent prayer, He had seen the good
effect Of this in the Quaker meetings An should
unite IN the services. What hymns sh4ll we use?
Use the hymns that can be sung by all even il they
are Old Better TO sing Rock Of ges,'' ami 9TH
than sing piece because it is new Use the Gospel
hymns until you eau get something better
M In our general prayer mee,nes we should ask God
| every thing IL would frighten were We to have
all our prayers answered In this general prayer
OF God hat must give general direction. Look in
| the meeting for present results.
The hymn beginning with the words "'Tis
the blessed hour OF prayer" was sung.
| MIR. Moody arose and made few brief remarks
on the question He agreed with Mr.. Bates in
| new ones People need a variety. Don't allow
meeting TO be devoted to few long pra ers but let
Try to interest all. If young arists to speak
| in prayer meeting, encourage him regardless of
his abilities an orator. One of the most success
full churches in the Northwest has been buiit up by
| the prayer meeting.
II; N. Moore of Boston participated in the dis
1 cussion, taking about the same ground as Mr.
| Moody, the only new point being that socality
| should be promoted among church members. The
| prayer meetings of to-day are TOO formal.
| Rev. DIR. Gordon said that when he saw that his
meeting was getting along poorly, he requested
some young people to come into his study and
urged them to take part. When they reached the
the heart; do not be artificial in your sentiments
Rev. Mr.. Daniels arose and added word or Two
Stanzas of majestic Sweetness Sits En-
throned" were sung, followed by 'My Song
shall be of Jesus' and "Watchman, Tell
| Me-
| AT the close of the singing Rev. j. M. Low
den offersd prayer.
| "How to promote spiritual life in church
paembers" was the theme of discussion for the
| next hour.
| Rev. Dr. Gordon of Boston was introduced.
| He said:
| Let us not be too formal. We must think of what
we are to say but let the Holy Spit dictate to us
| at the same time. We must carry on the gospel by
| divine means, not by human. Let not reiy too
much on human things. 1t is alarming TO see how
| many endeaVor to attract people to the churches
| by dramatical entert 4inments star actress in
Boston received her education In the church. You
attract great many people in this way but they go
away and fo get it. If you offer thai which good
and absorbing, these things will be aii aside. In
| Epistles there many short expressions such as
mLove one another" We should be mutual in re-
| lig0us work.
Some call for variety; but the Bible contains a
great variety. church will be rich Just in proper
| ton as it feeds on the word of God. We should
keep ourselves in the love of God. We should men
ton Christians by name. We should not pray for
| our brothers, but for James and John. This was
| the custom of the lord and we should follow il.
| We should exhort one another. Preaching from
house to house is better than public ministry
Above all things let us depend upon the spirit of
| God ana seek it.
Benediction was offered By Rev. Mr.. Bates
after which the audience dispersed.
The Evening Meeting.
The exercises opened with the singing of the
hymns, "Thc Drowning Day. "Oh, Word of
Words" "Tell it out among the nations" fol-
lowed by prayer by Rev. DIR. Small of Port
land. While contribution was taken up, the
choir Gang several hymns, and Rev. Mr..
Wright of this city followed in prayer; and
then Mr.. Moody stated the object of the meet
ing: To fiud out what each mau's work is.
Mr. Moody wished to go 60 the overflow meet.
ing, go he called upon DR.. Gordon of Boston to
speak upon the duty OF Watching Mark xiii,
81.
One duty is for US all, said the speaker to watch
1t is solemn thought that in hundred wears every
one OF this company, will be In eternity. The only
question then, will be- what have l done tor the
Lord? We are to look unto Jesus. Only once the
apostle tells us to look to ourselves and that is that
to just get Into heaven. We are to strive for an
abundant entrance, and we shall not have that un-
less We have an abundant work.
Mr.. Moore of Somerville spoke We are here on
the Mount; but We are to come down to solid work
God calls us to work, for We have been redeemed
bought with price. With Gods love in one hand
and His word in the other let us go forth to work
for our Master in saving souls.
Mr. Stebbins followed with the hymn,
'They're gathering homeward, one by one,
sung as solo. the congregation joining in the
chorus
Mr.. Moody said he wished to speak of the qualif-
cations of Christian workers. 1st They must have
faith They are to go forward with a confident
courage We are TO be as courageous as Caleb and
Joshua I'd. We must persevere. Men often break
down just as they are about to succeed. A motto 1
give to you, he said; do al the good you ca in all
the ways you can, as long AS you 81. We
want enthusiasm. We need it in the pulpit, in the
sunday school-every where We need men and
women who on fire with the love of God. DON'T
be afraid of new measures. Cheer on the workers
4th. We must have sympathy with the fallen.
We may save the perishing by sympathy rather than
by scolding. We may do many little kind acts TO
those who need help and sympathy.
Mr.. Moody offered prayer and then dismissed
the assembly, the choir singing "What a
friend we have in Jesus, "Take the name of
Jesus with you" "The gospel bells are ring
ing" "PIscious promise God hath given," sI
am coming to the cross" and several others
In the mean time a great congregation of
men of all ages was gathering to the meeting
in which Mr.. Moody was to address them. 1t
was deeply interesting sight, and one could
but think of the possibilities for good centered
in that multitude. God help them to turn
those possibilities in the right direction. The
congregation stood while singing the hymns,
"Depth OF mercy" and "Are you coming
home, wsndersrs?" Mr.. Stebbins sung ss a
solo, "Oh the claugiug bells of time" Mr..
Moore of Massachusetts, led in feryent prayer,
followed by the hymn Slowing the seed"
Mr.. Moody read from the 9th chapter of |
Galatians, "Be not deceived, whatsoever q |
man soWeth, that shall he also reap" All men |
may oe deceived but God never. But the |
preacher wished to speak of sowing and reap |
inn lot hot OUc cciy