The Portland daily press., 1886-06-04
UNION MISSIONARY MEETING.
The Work of the Different Depoml-
nations.
ENCOURAGING Progress in EIevating
the heather.

ndtIOnS.
ENCOURAGING Progress in EIevating
the Heather.
For several weeks past the subject of hold
ing union missionary meeting, some time
in June, has been agitated by ladies whose
names are identified with every good work
at home and abroad. Yesterday
was the day selected, and though the wealth.
er was not favorable the results of the meet
ing were highly satisfactory to all interested
in the cause of missions.
1t is confidently believed that interest in
the foreign missionary WORK will be greatly
stimulated, and much practical information
and encouragement given and received by
such union gatherings.
The meeting was called to order at 10 a.
M, by Mrs. W. II. Fem. Although the rain
was falling in torrents, quite company of
ladies were present at the devotional service,
which occupied the first hour.
The topic, missionary Workers at
Home" was considered in many aspects and
fervent prayers were offered that those who
stay at home may feel the great need there
is of their unceasing interest in the great
work of evangelizing the world.
Reports of auxilliaries for the different de-
nominations were then read.
Congregational, Miss Jennie L. erie:
The society was formed in 1871. In 1874 mis-
sion circles were organized. Monthly prayer
meetings were instituted in 1875. The average at
at the prayer meetings mas o zee smaller
storms which have, in almost every instance, oc-
CURED on the days for the regular meetings.
Miss Abbie S. Russell gave a very clear
account of the organization and working of
the Baptist Missionary societies.
The Board of the General Society appoints q
State Secretary. There are in Maine thirteen di-
pie and children's bands Since 1888 basket
meetings have been held. All contributions TAX
the general board. In fourteen years $29, 1877 :9S
have been raised. Burmah is the Oldest mission
field.
The special report of thel First Baptist
church showed encouraging progress.
Free street circle reported the regular
monthly meetings well attended. Special in
terest has been taken in the Sarah Curtis
Memorial school at Toxic, Japan and the
Kemendina school.
In presenting her report for the Free Bap-
fist church Mrs. o. W. Fullam said she un-
derstood that only local reports were requir-
ed and so had no State statistics. AS theFree
Baptists had but one church in Portland, the
figures would necessarily be comparatively
small.
The general work of the Free Baptists has en-
tered on its I'D year. 1t confines its work chiefly
| to India. Five lady missionaries are supported
besides Bible women and snecial workers among
| the women and children. Portland auxiliary was
| organized in 1873, has forty-two members. The
| annual meeting is held in January, prayer meet
| sir 90 has been paid to general work. The spec
| ial work has been helping toward the support of
| Miss Mary Bachelor, also schools :at Midnipore,
India and Stowe Normal School at Harper's Fer
| ry; S207.27 have been raised during the year.
| The children's band was organized in 1874, has
| Of two directors from the Auxiliary, but elect
| their own officers and conduct their meetings.
The object is the support OF a boy at the Indus
| The first year, s276, 900 were contributed. This
| amount increased steadily from the first, and for
dollars each year The Introduction of mite box
/ es for the children has worked very successfully
Reference was made to Mrs. Fenn's mite party
| held recently when the boxes averaged over 81
| EACH and represented the self-denia and industry
| of the small missionary workers.
Miss Cries report referred only to the
| work of the Portland societies.
Mrs. c. M. Robinson reported for the
Methodist church.
! The Methodist Woman's Foreign Missionary So
| ciety was organized in 1868, through the efforts
During the past year $25,2s6 have been raised.
| The three Portland churches organized at first as
one auxiliary but as the work grew larger organ
| lied separately The banner society of the State
| is the one at Kents Hill. Six hundred dollars
heve been received by legacy in Portland the past
Miss Yates of Bristol has been called home by
/ the death of her mother. Miss Akers of Bath
has entered ;psd With MI rerkns q
| to take these places. There are Sc missionary la
| dies in the field.
Short reports from India China, Mexico
| South America, Japan, Italy, Bulgaria and
! Corea followed.
| On account of the illness of Mrs. Medley
and Mrs. Frye there were no reports for st.
Luke's, ST. Paul's, or the Friends church.
Mrs. H. M. Humphrey gave an interesting
report of Mrs. Mary Clement Leayitt's tenn
peranae tour around the world. Mrs. !Leav-
| lit has rowing commission from the Ma
tional W. c. T. u and proposes to go around
the world establishing and encouraging tenn
| perance organizations and bearing a petition
| against the liquor and opium traffic, which
| she will have translated into every language
| on the globe. She has already visited the
| Sandwich Islands, New Zealand New South
| Wales, Tasmania and the Hawaiian Islands,
and will soon sail for India, Japan and
| China. Mrs. Leayitt writes that she spoke
| III times in 100 days, and in nearly every in
| stance led the singing, unassisted by any
| instrument.
At the close of the report, Mrs. Humphrey
| in view of the close relation between mis-
| sionary and temperance work, presented the
| following resolution, which was unanimous
| ly adopted:
| Resolved, That we are glad to know of the eff
| forts being made by our sisters of the National
| Woman's Christian Temperance Union to cooper
| ate with missionaries everywhere in the interest
| of temperance reform. We rejoice that they have
| sent out White Ribbon missionary, who will ere
| long meet our workers in the oriental field, and
that we commend to our missionaries as an ear
nest and helpful co-worker, Mrs. Mary G. Leayitt,
now in Australia, and who is soon to visit China
| the alcohol and opium trade, which has been in
trusted to her care, may help to enlist the Chris
tians of all nations in united effort to overthrow
| the sale of those brain poisOns, which are the
greatest hindrance to the progress OF Christs Cos
| pei
After a moment of silent prayer, Mrs.
Daniels made the closing prayer.
AFTERNOON.
The church was filed at the afternoon
meeting. Mrs w. H. Fem presided in her
usual efficient and happy manner. Upon the
platform, besides the presiding officer and
speakers, were the pastors wives and other
ladies prominently connected with temper
ance and mission work.
An hour was spent in devotion, the pray
ers and remarks having special reference to
the needs of foreign missions.
Miss Anna NJ. Garland, secretary of the
Portland Young Ladies' Mission Band
Congregational made very interesting re-
port of the work of the band during the two
years of its existence
Contributions have been made towards
the building of dispensary at Tung Che,
Che, China, the Morning Star Mission, the
schools at Smyrna, Turkey, Kiota, Japan,
Santander, Spain, and Oodooville, Ceylon.
amounting to $3.50. The different methods
of raising money were explained. The band
has about fifty honorary members, and has
constituted eight life members of the W. B.
f. M.
Miss Lizzie A. Coffin read letter from
Miss Nellie Phillips, M. d., Free Baptist
mission, India, giving an interesting de-
scription of her visit to the house of a Hindu
Raja.