The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-06-30
PULPIT AND PLATFORM.
SECOND PARISH.

eGSONO fARlShs
Yesterday afternoon at the Second Parish
Church. Rev. Mr.. Berger, secretary of the
McAll Missionary Association, gave a sketch
OF the work of this organization in France.
Inc circumstances under which this evangel-
lstlc WORK was commenced in Paris were ex-
cseolmgly interesting 1t seems that Rev
McAll, an English pastor, was travelling in
France; and with his wife visited Paris Just
after 1t had been desolated by the excuses of
the Communists. His heart was moved BY
tne SAD spiritual restitution of the people; and
oy a series OIL remarkable providences he was
led to give up his pastoral work and pleasant
English home and devote himself to mission
Work IN the very centre of the communistic
population of Paris. From a most unpromis-
ing beginning In an obscure room, it has ex-
tenueu until now u embraces nearly ninety
mission stations with sittings for 1900 hear
ers, all accomplished within twelve years. The
speaker referred to three marked epochs in
French history,-the first at the openinq of the
Reformation, when the people of that nation
oxnlDlteo such remarkable receptivity of
religious truth that France gave promise of
becoming the center of evangelical influence
In Christendom. Thirty-six hundred churches
sprung up in the kingdom as the outcome of
this spirit. The next epoch was marked by
the Iearful Papal prosecutions preceding and
following the dreadful massacre of ST. Barthol-
omew. The third epoch is the present period
OF the kepublic, when the desire for political
freedom Is far more developed than the re-
hg1ous aspirations of the people. The speaker
gave very interesting incidents connected
with the rise and progress of the mission work,
and his hearers were greatly interested in his
presentation of the subject Rev. DR.. Car
ruthGrs conducted the preliminary devotional
exercises; and after taking up collection for
the mission work, the meeting closed with two
verses OF the Missionary hymn and the bene-
diction.
VAUGHAN STREET CHURCH.
Yesterday the Sabbath School connected
with the above named church, which has
membership of upwards of hundred met to-
gether with their many friends to celebrate
their second children's Sunday. The deeora-
lions were exceedingly fine. Three great
arcnes OF cedar were erected spanning the
churcn In front OF the pulpit platform. On
the wall back of the central arch, under two
Tags tastefully draped, were suspended the
portraits OF four of the most noted presidents
OF our country, Washington, Lincoln, Grant
and CARRIED. just in front of the pulpit we're
arranged perfect mass of Towering plants
and cut flowers, among which were noticed
some hfteen or twenty bouquets and baskets
from their Biddeford friends, also a very
fragrant bunch of pond lilies from Massa-
chusetts. The memorials were very fine. An
anchor OF rose buds and pinks for the late
joel Merrill, an elegant wreath for Mrs. Mary
q. Harper, basket for Mrs. E. j. Winship, a
basket and cross OF sweet flowers for Fannie
H. McDougai, also wreath for Robert Dean,
around the walls between the windows wera
cedar trees and the usual notices From the
chandeliers were suspended birds, which in
their pretty cages made joyful noise unto the
LORD. Inc exercises were very interesting and
passed off with much credit to the school. The
exercises In the evening consisted of singing
aad an address by the paster, 1.-THE elements
OF success" which were much enjoyed
WILLIsToN CHURCH.
Yesterday was Children's Day at Williston
church, and the entire day was devoted to the
children.
A programme for the morning service was
arranged with appropriate music and singing
The body of the house was reserved for the
young children and the seats were ouicklv
filled. After the invocation, the pastor. Rev.
l.. d. Hallock, explained the meaning of a
covenant, and why baptism was a covenant,
linen number OF babies were brought in and
received the ordinance of baptism In accord
ance with custom of this church, Bibles were
presented to the baptized children who had
during the year reached the age of seven wears.
the children. 0O-o w
In the evening a very interesting Sabbath
school anniversary exercise was enioved nv a
very large audience. Solo singing bv Mrs.
Pratt and by Mr.. Gushing of the choir. exer.
clses by the children, reports by the snperin-
Iend9nt ana treasurer, remarks by the pastor
and Rev. DR.. Barrows of San Francisco filled
up the evening.
From the report OF the superintendent, Mr.,
.. y. Jefferds, we gather these statistics:
DRAoA l..