The Portland daily press., 1888-09-19
UNITED IN CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
Second Annual Conference OF the
Young Peoples Societies.
PROCEEDINGS of the First DAYS Meet
ing In the Queen City.
what the President and Secretary
Say In Their Reports.
Especial to the Press.


BANGOR, Sept. 18.-The second annual
conference of the Maine State Union of
Young Peoples Societies of Christian En-
deavor convened this afternoon. in the First
Baptist church. Considering the unfavor-
able weather, large number of delegates
were present at the opening session. After
an interesting service of prayer, the confer
ence at 2.30 O'clock was called to order by V.
r. Foss, of Portland, president.
Rev. T. Z. Busfeld, of Bangor, gave an
address of welcome. His warm, cordial
words of greeting were appropriately re-
sponded to by the president.
The records of the Lewiston conference
were read by j. w. Stevenson, of Portland,
secretary, and were approved.
The following committees were appointed /:
Finance-A. B. Taylor, Bangor; w. N. Fielding,
Nominations-Hattie C. Reynolds, Auburn
Emily Milliken, Augusta; Frank Dnsmore, Madi-
son.
Resolutions w. II. Gardner, Bucksport; M.
Alice Metcalf, Portland; Ada E. Morton, Win
throp.
F. SWEET, 0dtown; N. c. Dinsmore, Lewiston.
Entertainment Fred X. Brown, Bangor; Hat
tie NJ. Burr, Bangor; Ida NJ. Webb, Bangor.
The report of the State officers were then
given. The presidents report follows:
PRESIDENTS REPORT.
Dear Fello,v Workers:
The past year has, under God, been one of
constant blessing and fruitfulness Our in
FAINT organization, by careful nourishing, has
grown to be STRIPPING of no mean valor.
Something has been accomplished the past
year, but comparatively nothing to that
which God will give us power to do if we
surrender all to Him, consecrating every
faculty of our being to His blessed house.
Oh, what victories are in store for us in
winning the lost to Christ, and training them
for soldiers in His army. / trust the spirit
of these meetings may be that of complete
conservation, and that from every heart may
go up the prayer, Lord, what wilt Thou
have me to do?"
You win be given interesting statistical
facts regarding our growth in the secretary s
report. 1t is not necessary for me to repeat
these statements here. think our most SAN
guine hopes, as expressed at the Lewiston
conference, have been more than realized. A
clear proof that Gods seal is upon the move
ment from the fact that SO many conver-
sions are being reported from almost every
society in the State, few societies having
had glorious ingatherings. One or two re-
port more than score of young converts
brought into the Masters vineyard.
a number Of gatherings the past year. We
have tried to faithfully present the interests
of our work, and have been very much graf
flied at the encouragement received. We re-
fer particularly to the Maine Baptist Con-
vention at Bangor, the New England yearly
meeting of Free Baptists at Portland. the
Bangor Methodist Ministerial Association at
East Corinth, and the Cumberland Baptist
Association at Freeport. On each of these
occasions our words were warmly received,
h. fa Inl hat fhn in.
formation given removed much prejudice,
ELECTED much sympathy and resulted in the
formation of many societies.
Our great purpose, 1t seems to me, should
be first, the salvation of souls; second, the
training of young people for prayer meeting
Christians. Can any church that is a Chris
tian church can any pastor who Is aChristlan
pastor. object to such purpose? One pas
tor has referred to our society In the follow
ing language: Its characteristics 1t seems
to me, are these: First. it is aggressive, 1t is
an out-looker and it is an in-gatherer; sec
ondly, it is thoroughly practical in all its
theories, it aims to bring the masses under
the blessings of an active ministration; third
ly, it is thoroughly evangelical, it aims to dl-
vert uDd convert the young. In studying the
gratiied." The same pastor tells the follow
ing story, illustrating the work of our socie-
ty;: .ns ch.v,;o u,oro ,o.. j. .,o .+.;o
ana lOckeu III. lnty nclu cousultdtion.
Johnny suggested that they pray. Charley
said, well, Johnny. you pray and will
kick"
They were successful. So the Young Peo-
ple's Society of Christian Endeavor have
been Johnny and Charlie kicking and pray
ing and they have succeeded in opening
doors of great usefulness In the Christian
work. Misjudged and misunderstood, our
State work must advance slowly; but do
believe when our objects are known and
clearly understood, the doors of every evan
gelical church in Maine will be open to us,
and hope to live to see Society of Chris.
tian Endeavor planted in every church, and
all the hills and valleys of this common
wealth. If we are but faithful, this most
desirable object will be consummated, and
that not many years distant. l wish the an
niversary occasions of our societies might
be more generally observed. 1t has been my
privilege to attend many such occasions dur
ing the year, and / can testify to the fact
that these gatherings have been very useful.
In every case new impetus has been given to
the work, and the societies more firmly es-
1t may be impracticable to hold county and
district conferences, but the same objects
may be gained over these anniversary occa-
sions, as it has grown to be very commend
able custom to invite delegates to attend
hour is set apart to listen to reports from
these representatives.
Let us encourage the spirit of union and
fellowship, recognizing no barriers of de-
nomination OK sect which shall prevent us
from joining hearts and hands in fulfilling
our grand mission for Christ and the
church.
There is but on local Union" that in
Portland, composed of twelve societies. Ii
has not developed much yet, but we trust the
results will be very beneficial. l would rec
ommend the adoption of the recently revised
pledge by all Of our societies, and in order to
do this, it may be necessary for many socie.
ties to reorganize. L believe heroic treatment
in many older societies would do vast dea
of good.
Many have not been quite careful enough
either in the foundation or structure. Re.
org anization was the keynote of our last
conference and the advice given was in a
number of churches acted upon.
l know in one church, after trying and
courageous effort, the society reorganized
reducing its members from go to 10, but q
precarious revival soon after followed and
new material was added, bringing the active
membership up to 63, so that the society to-
day is very much stronger and more useful
than year ago.
Brethren, let us not raise the standard
high, and live up to it! Let us run the colors
up to the masthead and keep them there
Nearly, If not quite, all the opposition hav.
ing disappeared, the churches generally in
sympathy with us. pastors earnestly coop
Grating and more important, the Holy
Spirit dwelling with us, leading us in the
ways Of duty and usefulness, what oppor
tunities, glorious and unprecedented com
fort us? Shall we go forth and take the
land?
Thousands of young men and young WON.
en- in our State hungry for the bread of life
thirsty for waters of salvation, are eagerly
looking to us for help. Shall we give iti
Nothing is of so great Importance as the
work in which we are engaged. Let moth
ing distract our attention. Let our motto be
"This one thing do,' and may we all re.
member that | can do all things through
give us greater faith in his promises and
greater enthusiasm for His work.
We desire to sincerely thank all who has
in any way rendered by kind word or work
assistance during the year, especially to oul
faithful secretary and treasurer, who have
been exceedingly efficient in the performance
| of his duties.
Respectful ly submitted,
V. RICHARD FoSs,
President
sECRETARY's REPORT.
The secretarv's report presents the follow