The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-12-14

d very lutcIosClAB3 dl1uoukA WY
talker. He believed that the Christian
church could do much to advance the
coming of the kingdom of God. 1.-The
great thing to do it.is to keep in MIND
the love of God. If we are to win
soul to Christ we must go out and meet
need be, in order to find the men and
women who are living in ignorance OF
tie saving and keeping power of Jesus
Christ. don't know much about the
slums of Portland, not having been here
very long, but L do know that there
be glad to have some one speak kind
word to them. This Christ life is
life of joy, but it is also life of self de-
nial. am living example of the saw
ing power of God"
Rev. Howard W. Pope, who presided,
said that the right word, or the right
act, at the right time, may save soul.
The woman who covered the face of
John B. Cough when he lay drunk in
the gutter, did not much, but the
thought "some. one cares for me" was
the turning point in his life.
Rev. M. Lamb spoke entertainingly.
The collection was taken up by the
young lady ushers, something entirely
new. Mr.. Collins said, in the history of
these conventions.
Rev. E. N. Hardy. (of Holliston, Mass, y
was.then called upon to. tell the story of
the Fourth Congregational church of
Hartford, Conn.,, Rev. II. H. Kelsey, the
pastor of that chCrch, was to have TAX
en- part in the exercises. but at the last
moment found it impossible to attend
the convention.
what is it's present mem bership?" was
asked by pastor.
:"About 1OOO," replied Mr.. Hardy
"What was the mem bership when Mr..
Taylor took it?"
"About $780,"
"What special machinery is used;
what organizations"
"The Brotherhood of Andrew and
Philip, the Yokefellows, and the like
The machinery of the church is very
simple"
The Rev. A. H. Wright of the st. Law
renee street church read carefully pre-
pared account of christian Work in
Portland" treating the subject under
the following heads:
1. The Churches. their Forces and
Work.
3. Missions Connected with the
Churches.
8. Christian Work of our Benevolent
Societies.
4. Christian Temperance Work.
S. Individualistic Effort.
Portland has thirty four churches. not
including the Jewish synagogue. Two
having at least one-foutrh of the entire
population as their constituency and
field of labor. OF the Protestant
churches three are Liberal, and 80 evan
gelical so called. The latter have resi-
dent mem bership of 5, 554. OF the four
leading denominations represented in
this total the eight Congregational
of 1884; the six Methodist 1898; the
three Baptist 1,0sS; the three Episcopal
about $50.
The two Catholic churches through
their two charitable societies dispensed
$500 among the poor the past year.
They support also an orphan asylum
with fifty children, and an old ladies
home in Deerlng. containing thirty-five
inmates
The First Parish Unitarian sustains,
as it.has done for forty-five years past,
a successful work of Christian philan-
thropy in it's Preble street chapel. This
Mission has its Sunday services and Sum
day school. 1t clothed last year eighty
children, and did an extensive work of
Christian charity -among.the sick and
poor of the city. It's worthy and efficient
leader is the Rev. W. T. Phelan, who has
served the Mission great many years.
The Seaman's Bethel is an agency of
the Seaman's Friend Society, and is
sustained in part by the CONGREGATIONAL
churches of the city. Last year twelve
libraries were placed on board of vessels;
1000 select packages of literature distrib-
uted; 1000 calls made; 400 letters writ
ten and three sailors helped into the
Snug Harbor Home. The Abyssinian
church, the feeblest in the city, has
become practically the Mission of the
up town churches, State street church
taking the lead in the work.
The First Universalist church has
found a mission in the Samaritan Asso-
citation and its charitable work.
The Portland Fraternity may be called
Mission of the Liberal churches since
it's educational and philanthropic effort
in behalf of boys and girls who are des-
titute OF school privileges, is sustained
very largely by their personal and pc
cuniary support
The St. Lawrence street Congregational
church may with propriety regard it's
summer Open Air Services as it's Mis-
sion. Large audiences have attended
these out of door meetings, and series
of able sermons has been preached on
Sunday afternoons.
Apart from these benevolent organiza-
lions that are connected with secret So
cieties and are, in principle mutual
benefit associations, there are in the
Portland Directory not less than forty
eight organizations under the caption
of Charitable Associations. Perhaps
a dozen of them are more or less depend
ent upon the city churches.
The following are not in any sense
church Missions, yet they appeal to the
churches for sympathy and aid, viz;
The Portland Widows Wood Society, one
of our best charities; the Portland
Provident Association, which is we'll
organized and efficient, charity; the
Woman's Christian Association; the
Portland Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton; the Diet Mission: the Martha
Washington Society; the Fresh Air So
OIL fNhoca 4,