The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-10-29
Y. NJ. c. a.
The Convention OF the Maine state
Associations In Portland.
Interesting Speeches by Mayor
Chapman and Rev. Mr.. BayIey.

Inc twentieth annual convention Of tn
Maine Young Mems Christian Association
opened yesterday afternoon at the rooms a
the Portland Association, and promptly A
the appointed hour, those present opened IN,
meeting with sermon Of song followed b,
prayers and speaking passages Of Scrip
lures.
Mr.. A. G. Dewey Of Portland, was chosen
temporary chairman and a committee OF
credentials was appointed.
Mr.. A. L. Hines Of Augusta, read paper
on the topic, 'How TO increase the number
and efficiency of Young Mems Christian
Associations in our State" By employ
ing more and faithful men to give their time
wholly to the work Of the associations.
We may increase their efficiency by being
more earnest in the work. Get young men
to work for young men. Make the meetings
interesting and practical. Keep out Of debt
Have an active secretary. Have strong
faith and earnest prayer.
Mr.. Lawrence Of Connecticut, endorsed
the words Of the speaker in advising the
employment of permanent secretary, anC
Of doing earnestly the work they are organ
lied to do. He believed in judicious adver.
tising so as to keep their work before the
public.
Rev. Mr.. Winter Of Portland, thought
that all the work, printing, advertising, &c,
should be such as to do credit to the associa-
ti0n.
Mr.. w, S. Corey of Portland, defined dis
trict work and spoke Of the Importance Of
doing it.
Mr.. B. S. Rideout Of Auburn spoke of the
Importance OF employing State secretary
To the objection Of the expense Of a State
Secretary, Mr.; Lawrence thought the money
Tor one could be raised in the State.
Ms. K. p. Harlow of Lewiston urged the
employment Of State Secretary as essen
Citations.
Mr.. G. A. Woodbury. Of Portland read a
paper ON the topic, "How to reach young
men," We are TO consider first what kind OF
person the young man Is. We are not to
nsh Tor souls In the same way or with the
sane bait that the devil uses. Christ Is our
King, Tor one reason, because he serves u.s.
He reaches us by helping or serving us. We
are TO reach young men, by serving them.
But we are not to depend ON this alone. We
can reach them only by telling them the
story OF the Cross. We are to make more of
our meetings, and OF our evangelistic efforts.
we are to feel a deep interest in their souls.
Make the religious meetings thoroughly re-
llgious. DO the advertising at other times
Again, set the young men at work as soon as
possible: Don't make the Association the
nnal end and object Of all our work We are
10 Lead these young people into the church.
Mr.. Woodbury's address was very timely
and suggestive.
Rev: DIR. Small Of Portland followed in
remarks enforcing the importance OF setting
young people TO work.
Rev, Mr.. Winter spoke Of the lack of this
IN the Portland Association. 1t does not
give It's members enough to do.
Mr. Hines said that Fnuuf fret mo o,k
and get hold Of these young men and lead
them TO Christ before we can set them about
Christian work. And we are to aim 10
reach young men OF all Characteristic high
and the low.
Mr.. N. d. Winslow thought that we are
apt to trust too much TO the Association. A
perfect organization cannot do all the work
we snOuld go 10 the young men and seek
them personally and draw them to Christ.
Mr; Foss OIL Portland introduced Mr.. Il. NJ.
Lamb OF Connecticut, who sang beautiful
selection from the Gospel Hymns.
Mr.. Lawrence OF ConnecticuSpOke of the
Importance OF adapting our methods Of work
to the character Of the young men sought.
Mr.. woodbury. moved that Rev. DIR. Bliss,
five minutes.
DIR. Bliss spoke of the Importance of the
work OF the Associations. He spoke OF the
Associations in Turkey, where they meet
with the extreme hostility Of the govern
Mr.. Winter reported that in Turkey.where
pr. Bliss has labored for so many years.
there are ten Young Mems Christian Asso-
Citations.
A season was spent in prayer, and then
Rev. Mr.. Wilson Of Portland spoke OF the
ting them to work.
A committee on permanent organization
was appointed, and the session closed with
singing and the benediction.
THURSDAY EVENING.
The session opened with singing Corona
tion," by the audience, and prayer by Mr.. ].
A. Dole Of Bangor. Mr.. A. G. Dewey, the
choirman. then made some opening remarks,
and introduced Hon. c. j. Chapman, Mayor
OF Portland, who spoke words of cordial
welcome and earnest encouragement to the
visitors to our city. His remarks were as
follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
lappear in behalf Of the city to extend its
eourtesies and address few words Of well
come 10 those delegates and visitors from
other places, who have come among us to at
tend the annual convention Of the Young
Mems Christian Association. Let me assure
You that our citizens are not unmindful Of
the dement, and honor conferred upon us by
your gathering In our midst, and allow me to
express their sincere pleasure in welcoming
you to our city, and their earnest hone thai
your soj0urn here may be fruitful in rich re-
suits now, and happy "reminiscences hereaf-
ter. In addition to the affectionate greet
lngs which meet you from personal friends
and associates in the grand work OF Chris
tlan eYangelization; in addition 10 the broth
erly words spoken by those who are men,
Ders OF the same great Christian family,
bring the cordial welcome Of that large por-
tion Of our community, who, while taking
no apparentsinterest in religious things, dis
tlnctively as such, yet, recognizing the benefi-
cenee OF your association, from prudent as
well as phlfanthropic standpoint wish il
success and bestow upon it their sympathy
anu ala. All good citlzens readily ackn0wl-
edge the advantage that comes upon com
munlty by receiving into its midst even for
short period only, of body of unselfsh, de-
voted Christian workers, laboring to uplift
humanity. Such presence brings with 1t
at once an inspiration and stimulus to duty
lmparting to all with whom 1t comes in con-
tact its own e0ntagion Of moral helpfulness
and enthusiasm. 1t Is for this blessing
whcn you confer upon society, this invita-
llon. In your action, Of our Master, who went
about seeking opportunities for doing good.
that we do bid you most hearty welcome
Some of us, approving your work, become
standing with you upon the fundamental
grounds OF Christianity; all of us upon the
common ground Of the utility Of religious in
structlon and faith as means Of social pro-
lustration eof this, 1t would be a waste Of
time to speak OF the superlative advantages
offered in this direction by the Young Mems
Christian Association. Its methods are so
manifold Tor spreading religion and morality
throughout the community, by looking after
the young men who would otherwise be un-
cared for; by establishing the youth in good
habits; by aiding the sick and unfortunate /:
by carrying the Gospel where the church
cannot 60; say that its uses are so mani
fold as to make 1t a powerful agency for
good, enlisting alike the sympathy Of those
within and without tho fold OF Christianity.
might occupy much of your time in speak
ing OF the great value to our city Of our own
Association under the lead of its Efficient
officers, were not these facts known to YOU
through other sources; but, gentlemen, they
prejudice the public mind largely in your
favor, and add much to the heartiness of
your reception. 1t Is the systematic, un-
selfish work for the uplifting Of men that Is
bearing fruit in popular appreciation, be-
sides demonstrating the genuineness and
growth of Christianity. Why are meetings
OF this character accorded so kindly greet
ing by the public, when those of an opposite
nature would pass unwelcOmed? The reason
Is obvious. The gospel has so far triumphed
that the people everywhere associate the re-
ligiOus and Christian with what makes for
human welfare, and the unreligiOus and
unchristian with what tends toward human
degradation. The multiplication of religious
lay associations, the erection of large build
ings for their uses, the employment Of per
manent secretaries, the annual contribution
Oh large sums OF money, all 20 to snow the
Of a..