The Portland daily press., 1884-02-20

The association of m nisters of the Portland
District. met in Chestnut Street Methodist
Episcopal Church in Portland, Tuesday morn-
ing.
The meeting was called to order at nine
o'clock, Rev G. j. Clark in the chair. The
opening religious services were conducted by
Rev. x. Atkinson. Rev. G. j. CLARK was elee-
ted president and Rev W. f. Berry, secrets.
~.
Rev. W. W. Baldwin, reported for the COM
mittee on permanent organization. A form of
constitution and code of bylaws were adopt
ed. and the association proceeded to organize
according to its provisions as follows:
President-Kev. @. J. Clark.
Vice Presdent-Rev. A. McKeown.
Secretary-Rev. W. +. Berry.
Treasurer-Rev. w. w. Baldwin.
Executive Committee-Rev. j. M.Williams,
Rev. G. D. Lindsay, Rev. S. F. Wethernee.
The treasurer was instructed to procure two
hundred copies of the constitution and bylaws
printed for the use of the members Of the asso-
citation.
Voted: To take up the first topic of the pro-
gramme, "Ths Bibles idea of faith" Rev.
FL F. Patterson read an essay on the topic,
faith, dist nguishing saving faith from all ota-
ers, as holy trust in Divine ability and prom
isA, to bless and save; consequently, faith is
the voluntary act of mans moral nature, the
ability for which God gives to all.
Rev. Teomas Jones presented an essay on
the same topic, presenting about the same
views of faith, discriminating very critically
between Bible faith, credulity, aud the mere
ri
deDce.
About thirty ministers were present, but
few others were present.
Adjourned to 2 o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At two O'clock tue service was opened with
prayer by Brother i1urd.
The sacond topic was taken up; "How shall
our teeuie charges be rehabiltateu?"
Mr.. BiSbes read All essay showing the facts
aud causes of decline ON many charges Re-
marks followed by M-ssrs. Woodbury., Nc
keown, and Jaques, d. MS. j. Perry and s..
Y. Andrews, suggesting remedies foT this Con-
ditIon of things
The sixth topic was taken up, lessons from
revivals III the Maine Conference"
An essay prepared by Rev. Trae Whit Ter
was read by the secretary, showing the impur-
lance of faithful pastoral work aud personal
efforts from town to town, and the prompt and
SdIntbt CO-OptrattOD OF ID0 membership with
the pastor, and without looking to help from
evangelists from abroad to do tho work, tina,
properly is the work of the pastor and the
church,
A vote of thanks was taken for MIR. Whit
tiers valuable essay.
Voted to adjourn to 9 o'clock Wednesday
morning.
The afternoon service today will commence
at 2 o'clock.
woEEN's MISSIONARY MEETING.
At7.45 meeting was held in The interest oil
the Women's Foreign Missionary Society. The
services ere opened by singing From Green
lands icy mountains, aud scriptare lessons
we're read by Rev. Mr.. Stackpole.
Prayer was offerea by Mr.. Freeman, fol-
loved by singing "Watchman tell as OF the
night"
The speaker, Rev. E. Stackpole, took for his
text 60 ye into all the world and preach the
Gospel to every creature" These are the
marching orders of our captain to the church.
He proceeded 10 consider objections to mis-
siOns
1st-If the heathen can be Faved without
missions, why send the Gospel to them; 3D.
IL Is objected that we comm dnic4te to them
the vices of civilization; 3d-"We have plenty
OF he 81 hens at home 4-Our needs at home
are greater than theirs; 5-It costs such vast
sumo TO carry on foreign missions; 6-The Diff
cullies OF foreign languages have been ureed al
on objection; 7-'Charity begins at home
says another objection.
These objections to missions we're examined
and shown to be without force. The speaker
spoke of the foes to be overcome, Buddhism,
NJ OF amedism and the religions of Indis,
China aud Japan we're made to pass before
our minds with their revolving rites and cere-
monies, and the iua adequacy OF the present
missionary force in the conflict was dwelt up
on. The speaker then refe, red TO the Christ
ian forces at work and their comparative weak
ness and yet how grand the success.
A brief review OF foreign missions was pre-
scented and the results are full of encourage
ment, showing tnat the convenieuces of the
world are now reduced to question of dollars
and cents. Tue Gospel ia achieving its tri-
umph of the ages today and must be preached
In all ranks.
The speaker then passed to speak of the
work of the Wcmen's Foreign Missionary So
oiety and its grand progress. But they need
money to carry on their work, and he urged q
generous collection, which was taken at the
close of the sermon.
The sermon was able Eand interesting pre-
seDtation of the claims of this society TO our
Christian confidence, sympathy and generous
pecuniary support
The service closed with singing and the ben
dicton.