The Portland daily press., 1893-08-31
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
Bright Young Delegates Welcomed to
the Forest City.
The Opening Sessions of tina Great Con-
yention-Mayor Baxter's address and
Mr.. Emery's Response-Other Address
: es and Proceedings of the Day-The
Evening Meeting.

Mr.. Emery's Response-Other Address
| es and Proceedings of the Day-The
| Evening Meeting.
| The opening day of the ninth annual
convention of the Maine Societies of
| Christian Endeavor was all that heart
could wish. 1t was surely day for
| rejoicing in regard to the weather and as
such was entirely appropriate to the ex-
ercises at the Second Parish church.
The spacious auditorium was beautifully
decorated. The draperies of the balconies
| and roof were as tasteful in arrange
| ment as they were delicate in color.
Behind the pulpit on q green background
were the words in white "For Christ and
the Church" and over the pulpit on a
graceful support was the monogram OF
the Christian Endeavor.
The exercises opened at two o'clock
with an Introductory service Of prayer,
by Mr.. f. Small of Falmouth The
strong sweet voice of Rev. Frank M.
Lamb of Kennebunkport was heard to
great advantage as the life of the sing
ing. Although at the beginning of the
exercises scarcely more than half of the
delegates from out of town had arrived
the church was nearly filed, SO large
was the attendance of the people of the
parish and the city.
Mr.. V. Richard Foss, president and
secretary of the Maine State Union was
of course in attendance, and making his
cherry, helpful presence felt in attending
to the seating of the people and the pro-
viding of hymn books, programmes, etc.
He closed the devotional service with
prayer and opened the convention by
saying that he was very sure that the
present was the happiest moment OF his
life God was showing his favors. 1t
was the best day ever made and the best
convention ever held. He prophesied a
successful convention, feeling that the
name of our Master would be glorified
and honored as never before in this
historic old town of Portland, and in
this edifce erected to the memory of
such noble man as the Rev. DR..
Edward Payson. He was very glad in
behalf of the thirteen societies of Port
| land to introduce one than whom none
is more worthy to address you, the past
or of the church.
DIR. Merrill arose behind his pulpit and
after referring to the fact that Portland
| is honored and made place of prilgrim-
age because it is the birthplace of Henry
W. Longfellow and Gen. Neal Dow and
the Christian Endeavor, said that per-
haps, where even Longfellow and Neal
Dow are not known there are thousands
who would delight to make Portland
their Mecca because it is the birthplace
of the Christian Endeavor. AS represent
ing the thirteen Endeavor societies of the
city he wished to extend the heartiest
welcome to all who were present He
continued by saying that it is one thing
to become Christian and another to be
a Christian. The Christian Endeavor is
the being a Christian. We hail your
coming here as the men and women who
are doing the best work for the Christian
religion. We hail your coming here be-
cause the tide is out, the vacation time
having drawn away the people and the
service leaving upon the shore the
unsightly evidence of less active work
We hail your coming as that of the in
coming tide that brings again. the full
| service that will again prevail till another
vacation time.
Mr.. Foss then introduced Mayor Baxter,
as one than whom no one has done more
| for his city in the way of benefcence, and
the applause indicated the full sympathy
of the audience. Mayor Baxter said:
Certainly, the pleasantest duty which
has developed upon me officially to per-
| FORM is to extend a cordial welcome to
| the Society of Christian Endeavor.
recognize i'll this society a band of Chris
| tians, whose earnest purpose is to build
| up in this world the kingdom of Christ;
| tue noblest work which men and angels
can engage in; a work which accom-
plished, will usher in the millennium
and bring to man that happiness for
which he so eagerly strives, yet does not
attain.
1t has been said of cities, this, or that
man was born in her, and such cities
have taken pride in the fact; but how
much more will be said of this city. and
how much commendable will be
her pride, when men shall say in the
coming time, this was the birthplace of
the Society of Christian Endeavor.
And who were the men it may be
asked, who received this child, when, in
it's feeble infancy it was presented in the
| temple by it's spiritual godfather, the
Rev. DIR. Clark, and who fostered it until
| it was able to begin it's ministrations.
| They were men who had inherited the
| principles of New England Puritanism,
which in it's highest Development implies
purity, and is broader and deeper than
sect; hence, this organization can en-
/ brace men of all sects and all creeds,
| who aim at purer love for God and fellow
man, and desire closer relationship to
the one and to perform more useful ser
| vice to the other In the noble work
which yor have undertaken, I in common
with all thinking men wish you God
speed, and l rejoice on this occasion to
say to you, welcome, thrice welcome to
this city, which you honor by your
! presence.
Rev.S. H. Emery, pastor of the Baptist
church of Saco, was called to respond to
these words Of welcome. He said that
| the feeling that comes to the child when
it returns to its parents after worthy evil
dence is felt by those who have come
i into the august presence of the place