The Portland daily press., 1893-04-14
Afternoon Session.


1858-Ghurch property ........-.... 943,367
loo5-Eduacatlon;.. ........... 100000
1S36-Superannuate .............. 81 1926
l5oo-Chufcn extension. 10,7S7
lS49-S. 5. Union. Observation-Disclosures. 6,671
lS54-Iracts ........-.......... 1913
1865 Freedman's Aid. ......... 1885
lS4o-Blble Society ..,......... 1885
lS7O-W. u. NJ Society .......... 1926
1S84-W H. M. Society ........ 2Sl9
lSSS-Chuich aid. ................... 521
1o79-DelegateS General Conference 264
The formal address was delivered by
Rev. Chas. F. Allen, D. D., who today
completes his 50th anniversary of attend
ance in the Maine conference. He took
his text from Numbers XIII, 20
Now shall it be said Of Jacob and of
Israel, What Hath God Wrought?'
Dr.. Allen sketched very entertainingly
the advent of Methodism into Maine,
and pictured the early struggles and
labors of the pioneers in the faith. He
traced the growth Of the Methodist
church from its insignificant beginning
down to the present day, where it has
assumed such immense proportions. He
said in his admirable sddress
Many instances of large results from
small beginnings have come under my
personal observation during my so years
in the ministry. A little boy in a coun-
try school house came forward for
prayers; his very childish manners
seemed to give little promise of lasting
good; but he was converted and became
a prominent minister in the New Eng
land Conference. The pastor said to
young man lounging at the door of Chest
nut street church. as he laid his hand
kinaiy on his shoulder, "Come into my
class" The young man came in, and
was converted. The next term the pas
tor cont ~ t1,at oh hot
man was the Sunday school superintend-
ent. A student at Kent's Hill, in May
Gay walk, was arguing against Christian
1ty with the young lady companion. She
replied, You have no right to argue
about religious experience; you never
tried it," That word was nail fastened
IN sure place. He replied, mo one
shall ever twit me with that again; will
try it," That evening, half defiant, he
rose for prayers, but powerfully convict
ed he bowed in prayer and was converted.
A great revival followed, in which scores
were brought to Christ. Little did that
Christian lady anticipate the results of
her well timed word.
We live in the midst of grand
er opportunities than the fathers
enjoyed. Nor does it depend on extra
ordinary talents how great shall be the
influence we exert. There are diversi-
ties of gifts, but the same spirit; and
there are diyersities of operations, but it
is the same God that worketh all in ALL
The finger of the President.is to touch
the button that shall set in motion the
machinery of the worlds industry at the
approaching exhibition next month. yet
child's finger few years ago set in mo-
ton the mighty force that hurled into
fragments the rocks of He'll Gate and en-
larged the entrance to the harbor of New
York.
That which now seems small and I'M
important may prove of immense value.
Little did Rufus Bailey think, as
the first Methodist preacher on Mount
Desert, that the bashful farmer boy
whom he led to Christ would become the
godly Bishop Clark, OF did Joshua A.
Taylor suppose that the tall, awkward
lad, whose reading had been all per
formed after the days work. by the light
of pine knots on the kitchen hearth, and
who was once seen emerging from for
est path clothed in homespnn dress. lead
ing horse loaded with grain to the mill,
and while waiting for his grist to be
ground employing his time in solving
birch bark; little did he think that this
Bishop Soule.
We have dwelt on the history of the
past century not to glorify our sect; nor
to garnish the sepulchers of the fathers.
With humble gratitude to God, we look
to the rock from whence we were hewed.
We rehearse the mighty acts of the
Lord even the righteous acts towards the
inhabitants of his villages in Israeli
We look to history for instruction in
present duty. We would learn from the
examples of those whose memory we
cherish, to initiate their excellencies and
to correct our own mistakes. We would
gather fresh inspiration from the lives of
good men to make our own lives sublime.
Even from the light of the past we do not
prophesy what will be the future of
Methodism, unshadowed by the gloom
OF pessimism and undazzled by optomis-
tic visions and prophecies. From the
victories of the past we would rather
choose to be better fitted to work in the
ever living present than to unroll the
sealed book Of the future. As long as
Methodism does its appointed work it
will furnish. AS long as Methodist preach
ers are faithful to their high calling they
viii share in the triumphs of the Re-
deemer's Kingdom.
Evening Session.
At 7.30 last evening the anniversary of
the conference of the Epworth League
was celebrated, Z. O. Thayer presiding.
There was praise service by the Ep-
worth League leaders. prayer by Rev.
Dr.. Whitaker, and singing by the confer
ence quartette, report of the league
secretary, Mr.. Holmes, and an address
by Rev. DR.. Buffers.
The church was crowded to overflow
ing, large delegations going out from the
city.
Notes.
The conference has chosen the follow
ing officers:
Assistant Secretary. A. Corey, Lewiston
@Historical Secretary--G. G. Andrews, s rco.
Statistical Secretary Thomas F. Jones,
South Portland.
Assistant Statistical Secretaries-Jas, Wright.
Chebeague Island; G. f. Pearson, Mechanic
Falls
Treasurer-S. Hooper, Lisbon Falls.
4,.I, TTr,4 NhHf Fla Ait..,