The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-03-11

Proceedings of the Secretaries
Meetings.
The Convention Closes with Enthu-
sIastic Meetings Yesterday.


its different phases was presented to the
people, Among other places, the visiting
secretaries outlined the different depart
ments of the work during the day in High
street Congregational church, State street
Congregational, First Baptist, Second Parish
Congregational, Chestnut street Methodist
Episcopal. Presbyterian, Vaughan street In
dependent Methodist, West End Congrega-
tional, Williston Congregational, Congress
street Methodist Episcopal, Pine street
Methodist Episcopal, Plymouth Free Bap-
fist. st. Lawrence street Congregational and
Free street Baptist. The main features pre-
sented were the relation of the Y. NJ. G. A.
to the church, and the need of more facil-
titles by the local association to carry on
the work In a proper manner in this commu-
nifty. Considerable agitation was made
along the line for new Y. M. G. A. build
ing in our city, and from remarks made by
several Of our wealthy men who are inter
ested in the local association work it will
not be very long before building, with all
the modern appliances for the benefit Of
young men, will be reality in our city.
We certainly feel that If other cities in
Maine, such as Rockland and Bangor, can
own their own Y. M. C. A. building Port
land surely cannot afford to be so far behind
in supplying long felt want in the commu
nity-a place where all young men may g
and find home where they will be surround
ed by good wholesome influences.
Mr.. Oliver G. Morse, instructor and cores
ponding secretary of the School for Christian
Workers of Springfield, Mass, spoke in Higl
street church in the forenoon, and outlined
the work of the school and its influence up
on the young men being trained for the spec
ial Y. M. C. A. work among young men. In
closing Mr.. Morse said that the greatest
need of the work today, which had been oc-
casioned by both its extensive and intensive
growth, was large increase in the number
of young men who were naturally qualified
and had been properly trained to be leader:
in the work.
A conservation service was held at 9 a. m
in 7. M. Q. A. Hall, which was a very i'm.
pressive service. The secretaries dwelt par
ticularly on the necessity of proper conse
Grafton OF the body by a careful daily exer
else. being free from all habits which would
cause the body to be an unfit place for thu
holy spirit to dwell in.
About $50 boys were present at the boys
quests for prayer were made and the meet
ing was followed by an after meeting.
Inc meeting Tor men only was most ear
nest one, over five hundred men were pres
emit and joined heartily in singing, which
was lead by an orchestra and the delegates
male chorus. The main efforts of the day
were put forth in the three union mass meet
ings held at p. m. in the Free Street Bap-
fist, Second Parish Congregational and the
Congress Street M. E. churches. Prominent
had oh ~
these services and spoke tellingly of
the necessity for more aggressive work
in reaching young men. The evening meet
ings were largely attended, many being
turned away from the Free street meeting,
the church being filed. The closing meeting
OF the conference was one long to be remem-
bered by all who were present. This was the
farewell service which was held at the Sec
ond Parish church instead of the Y. M. c. A.
hall as was previously announced. About
six hundred people, including all the visiting
secretaries, were present. Hamilton S. Con-
ant, general secretary of the Providence Y.
M. G. A, had the meeting in charge. After
singing, by the male chorus, and other brief
exercises, Mr.. Conant requested all of the
members OF the conference to stand on their
feet and give expression as to the thing near
est their heart, brought about by their at
tendance at the conference. Each secretary
responded as his turn came and he then sat
down. All OF the secretaries expressed their
gratitude and thanks to the local association
and the friends by whom they had been en-
tertained. 1t was delightful service, made
more so by the presence of and addresses by
nearly all the leading pastors of the city, who
spoke feelingly OF the separation which was
SO soon to take place between them. In ap-
propriate words hearty God-speed was ex-
pressed by each in turn. Resolutions were
Mass, and passed, thanking the officers OF
the Portland Y. M. G. A. for the cordial in
vitation extended for the conference to hold
their fifth annual meeting here; to the asso
citation and friends who had so bountifully
provided them with hospitable entertain
ment; to the churches for their unity OF ac-
ton and sympathy; to the press for theil
kindness in giving reports of meetings; anC
70 any who have contributed toward making
TINS the best secretaries conference ever held
In New England. After the male chorus hat
sung I'VE are on the way" the secretaries
and male friends circled around the entire
body OF the church and joining hands they
sung "blest be the tie that. binds" Whit,
clasping each others hands DIR. A. X. p
Small pronounced the benediction and tn,
conference was closed.
Saturdays Meetings.
Saturday morning devotional service wa.
conducted by E. N. Folsom of st. Johns
bury. After this various topics were dis
cussed, among them being the following:
How can 1 interest the pastors in my work?
Is boys branch advisable?
How can rough, illiterate young men and re-
nn rH! ana educated young men be united?
(. would you advise securing funds for current
expenses at the public anniversary?
Why do not the New England secretaries have
summer Institute?
The following executive committee was
chosen for the coming year:
Maine-R. A. Jordan, Bangor
New HampShire-A. T. Stratton, Dover
Vermont-E. N. Folsom st. Johnsbury.
Massachusetts-s; G; Conaughy, Worcester.
Rhode Island-John Gibson, Newport.
Connecticut-C. X. Flanders, Norwich.
1t was voted to approve the plan presented
by Mr.. Armstrong of Massachusetts, for an
eastern summer institute.
1t was voted that the executive committee
prepare constitution and bylaws; mean
while that the rules governing the general
secretaries of the country be used Temperate
ly.
North Lubec, Me-, was mentioned as a
summer resort and its advantages discussed.
AT noon the secretaries took dinner at the
Second Parish church.
The members of the convention were pho
tographed in group on the Second Parish
steps by jackson & Kinney. A fine mega
tive was secured.
In the afternoon the private session for
the discussion Of topics was continued at
Young Mems Christian Association Hall,
among them these;
The State Evangelistic Secretary
HOW 10 obtain the best results from religious
services fer young men.
Personal work by and among the members.
Saturday night a mass meeting was held
IN the First Baptist church. Rev. E. b.
Webb Of Boston, who was expected to ad-
dress the meeting was absent on account of
sickness. A praise service was held from
I 30 to O'Clock, led by State Secretary E. A.
Lawrence, who also presided over the meet
ing which followed. Exercises of the eve
ping were opened by scripture reading by
Rev. David w. LeLacheur, and PRAYER by
Rev. N. I. Whitaker. Mr.. Conaughy Of
" orcester, Mass, presented In a very credit
tble manner the intellectual work of the Y.
N. c. A, especially in regard to evening
lass work. Mr.. Lott of Springfield, Mass,
spoke Of bodily development and the gymna.
STUN in connection with the Y. M G. A.
work, and Mr.. Flanders of Norwich, Conn,
poke of the Bible trainers class. The last
speaker was Mr.. j. l.. Jordan, State secreta-
y of the Y. M. G. A. of Connecticut, and he
poke very entertainingly of the work in
general.