The Portland daily press., 1894-08-17
MANY IN ONE.
The Observation-Disclosures Conference at
Old Orchard.
Special to the PREssO

Special to the PRESS.)
Old Orchard, August 16.-"We gained one
new denomination. that of the Seventh
Day Baptists, today said Rev. DR.. L. b.
Bates this afternoon. "We now have fifteen
denominations, Seventh Day Batispts, our
new accession. Quakers. Presbyterians,
BAPTIST, Methodist Episcopal, Congregations
alist, Protestant Episcopal. Christian, Free
Baptist, Evangelical Advent, Wesleyan
Methodist, Canadian Methodist. Southern
Methodist, Primitive Methodist, and we
have worked together for week without
the least bit of frlction.''
DR.. Bates is the leader of the campmeeting
now in progress here, that is gaining in
numbers and interest with every session,
and it is estimated that by Sunday the at
tendance will reach at least 5000.
1t is an nterdenominational movement,
and is called the "Inter-Denominationa
Association of Christian Workers and Evan
gelists,' long name to be sure, but no
shorter designation unless it be Christian
workers, could well describe the movement.
1t is in reality an assembly of earnest
devoted Christian men and women. who,
without taking any thought for the time
being of denominational differences, have
sought for and found common ground on
which they can all labor.
Their work has now extended into many
fields. They are doing some home, and some
foreign missionary work. They are in
terested in the work for sailors, and among
the poor. In fact it is doubtful if there is a
single point along the whole line of Chris
tian effort in this country, in which they
are not inter ested.
The subjects discussed are all practical
mostly having reference to daily walk and
conversation of all men who are interested
in religious things. The second coming of
the Lord is an accepted part of the belief of
these workers, and they hold very firmly to
s'the oneness among Christians"
The following noted workers have had
some part in the services of the week, or
will be heard before the convention closes:
Rev. E. E. Darinson. Rev. H. Chase, Rev.
W. Hunter, D. D., Rev. G. Munger. Rev. E.
D. Mallery, Rev. G. R. Palmer. Rev. Fl. H.
Hastings, Rev. l. Lucs Rev. Walter Rus
sell, Mrs. Walter Russell, Mr.. VIM. H. West,
Miss r. M. Bates, Rev. VIM. r. Thurston,
Rev. n. I. Whitaker, D. D., Rev. L. B.
Bates. d. D.. Rev. E. Upham, Rev. f. B.
Harvey, Mr.. R. >. Robson.
DR.. Bates is president of the association,
but while he is the leader he is not SO to the
same marked degree that Mr.. Simpson is of
the Christian Alliance movement. He has
just been called to the Bromfield street
Methodist church in Boston, which is a
missionary church. The bishops desire him
to accept the call, and he has been given
until Monday to think it over. If he accepts
it will take him out of the general field where
he has lived for some time past and. will
oblige him to cancel many engagements
Today the association received a some-
what remarkable offer. They received
written communication from President
Bayley. the head cf an Independent mis-
sionary association that has been carrying
on special mission work in the West Indies,
among te color ed people. President Bayley.
who has given much time to the work. is
now getting old, and in his letter offered to
turn the entire work over to the associa-
tion. They have eighty stations. and as
many missionaries at work.
The field is very interesting one, and
the association would gladly accept the
offer if In condition to do SO. The letter
will be considered at the business meeting
Saturday, but DR.. Bates was not of the
opinion today that the offer will be ac-
cepted. Another year may make
difference.
1t is the hope of the, earnest workers
present tLat the campmeeting may be so
many days of Pentecostal revival, and to
that end there Will be very earnest work
along evangelical lines.
One of the most interesting and piotur-
esque figures present is the venerable Rev.
H. l.. Hastings of Boston. The aged
minister is still vigorous despite his age,
and his long white hair and whiskers give
him an even more venerable look than
would naturally be expected. His voice is
still strong, and when he leads the singing
the scene is striking, and to the workers in
spring.
Dr.. Bates is a we'll known Boston clergy
man, long leader in the Methodist church.
Rev. DR.. Hunter is distinguished
Canadian, and the other denominations are
represented by some of the best men. 1t
should not however be understood that
those present undertakesto.ac for their re-
speotive denominations in a representative
capacity, but simply as individual members
of their respective churches who have come
together on common platform for COM
mon work.