The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-02-18
FAITH CURES
Closing Session of the Portland Dis
trict Ministerial Association.

| was well nlled
After devotional exercises, conducted by
Rev. II. F. A. Patterson, President Jones
took the chair. The topic, Faith Cures, y
which was under consideration at the time
of previous adjournment, was resumed.
Rev. II. Chase presented an exhaustive
essay, in which the following points were
elaborated:
]. Divine healing Gas healing by faith is now
| generally termed instead of faith cure or faith
healing( is as truly scrptural as any doctrine OF
2. Divine healing is as really included in the
Atonement as the redemption of the soul.
3 Divine healing being scriptural it is the
duty OF the church to promulgate it, Examples
of Divine healing from the Old and New Tesla
ments were adduced in proof of the theory
Revs. Atkinson, Grovenor and Kimball,
the other essayists on this topic, being alb
sent, Rev. E. S. Stackpole was invited to
take the place of one essayist. Mr.. Stack
| pole took strong affirmative view OF the
subject. On motion of Rev. J. B. Laphani'
the discussion was proceeded with Alpha
beticaly. The five minute rule was strlctiy
enforced by the presiding officer.
Almost all of the pastors present eX-
pressed belief in the ability of Christ to
heal the sick Some went so far as to escheW
all remedial agents, but the general sentl-
Inent Of the meeting was that 0od way Is
to work through human means.
Revs. Berry, Bashford and Munger espec-
tally emphasized this point and most OF the
others conveyed the impression in a general
way even though citing examples of faith
healing in direct answer to prayer.
Elder Jones gave a very clear and, it seems
to us, sensible view of the subject. His be-
lief is, that the gifts of healing, as also the
| gift of prophecy and tongues, ceased to exist
with the early apostles and was not intended
| to be perpetuated in the church. While rec
| ognizing Gods providence in all the good or
| evil which befalls his people, the special gift
| of healing belongs to the past.
| A collection was taken for the benefit of
| the Chebeague parsonage.
AFTERNOON.
The Association was called to order by
Presiding Elder Jones at 2 p. m. Devotional
exercises were opened by singing the beauti-
full hymn "Jesus Lover of My Soul" An
appropriate Scripture selection was read and
fervent prayer offered by Rev. E. Martin
In absence of the secretary, Rev. W. F.
Berry, Rev. T. F. Jones was appointed sec
rotary pro tenn.
The discussion on the topic of Faith
| Cure" having been completed during the
morning session. it was moved and seconded
that the subject be laid on the table.
The criticism of Rev. E. Tinker's sermon
by Rev Alvah Hatch followed. Mr.. Hatch
said he found very little to criticise in the
matter. The manner was defective, in that
so much emphasis was placed on unimport-
ant points that the important ones were
weakened; the sermon lacked ''cling'-as a
good Methodist sister was wont to say.
Topic 6, ''The Expediency of Employing a
Conference Evangelist, was opened by Rev.
E. Martin in an extempore address, giving
his experience with the Evangelist system"
in conducting reviyals, expressing his con-
viction that it was not expedient to employ
an Evangelist. The tendency is to cause the
people to shift the responsibility upon their
shoulders. The church grows cold, and it
takes months to get back into effective work
ing order.
On motion of DR.. Bashford, the topic was
accepted and ordered to be laid on the table.
Topic 7, ''What means can be best employ
ed to lead our young people to Christ, was
opened by Rev. L. f. Jones, i'll a carefully
prepared paper. Christ-like love, earnest
practical sermons, personal acquaintance
with the young, cheerful presentation Of
religious subjects, the baptism of common
sense, faithful pastoral visitation, and a
deep spirit of devotion to God.
DR.. Bashford followed, endorsing the essay
and adding the suggestions that young peo-
pies meetings be established and that chill
dren and youth be received into the church
at an earlier age than is usual. The same
amount of effort will save three young peo-
pie to one adult
Topic s, ''The best methods of conducting
prayer meetings"
Rev C. Munger gave the following rules
a Have prayer meeting in your closet be-
fore you go; E2) Get your people near to-
gether; ~ Read and explain some Scripture
bearing especially on the work; "a Endeav6r
to have prayer meeting; % Readiness,
promptness, brevity (0 Defniteness Of aim.
Rev. Mr.. Barber believed in varying the
services. Whas would succeed one evening
would not another. Begin and close prompt
ly; manage cranky and prosy brethren SO
they will not affect the meeting unfavorably
Rev. Mr.. Hamilton said the most OF his
points had been touched upon, but one i'm
portant one had not been mentioned-the
proper observance of Gods physical laws OF
light, warmth and ventilation.
Topic 9-Essayist absent.
Topic 10, Madame Jezebel and her
Friends" Rev. Chas. Munger.
Mr.. Munger's essay was scholarly ano
profound paper, replete with information
concerning the false doctrines of apostolic
times. The false teachers of to-day were re-
minded that the judgment pronounced upon
Madame Jezehe1 and her friends" is the
sentence of all false prophets; and the
| church, that the sentence laid upon "tht
churches" of old is upon them to-day if they
tolerate the prophets of false doctrines.
The second topic which was passed over
the first day on account of the absence OF
Rev. c.. J. Clarke, d. D., was then called for.
Subject: The necessity of mutual coopera-
ton among itinerant ministers for the sue
cess of their ministry. Rev. B. Freeman
| read brief essay, presenting the affirmation
clearly and forcibly.
By request, Rev. c. J. Clarke gave an ac-
count of his recent trip to Cincinnati, in the
| interest of the Methodist Book Concern
| Book Concern have had an unusually pros
porous year. Eight hundred Thousand OF the
| outstanding bonds against the building or
Broadway have been cancelled during the
year, and the promise given that before
year from next April all the outstanding
bonds shall be destroyed The Methods
Review, in its new dress, has increased its
subscription list 1000. The EpNrorth Hymn
nal has been great success. A very inter
esting description of Sam Jones. the eele
brated evangelist, who is now working II
Cincinnati, was given. In the five weeks M
has been there, 5000 have been converted ane
10000 professors quickened. Forty Thousand
came to hear him every night Music Hal
and the Odeon are filed to oyeraowing ant
travel is impeded in the streets for blocks by
the crowd.
The presiding elder asked that the Doxo3
ogy be sung as an expression Of the senti-
ment of the association.
The minutes were read and approved, and
| the association formally adjourned to meet
in June.
By invitation of Rev. T. f. Jones' church,
at Berwick, the June meeting will be held
there