The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-11-11

oo'iec'ion was being taken the otfertory
W onadwiek, "God, to whom we LOOK
~ pllndly," was sung by the choir. heV.
L. "hlttaker of Lynn, then delivered the
| sermon on
THE POWER OF GOD.
Inc text was taken from l SAM, 7;l2.
Hltherto hath the Lord helped us.
All our secular and spiritual blessings
are the unmerlted gift of God. They are
manifested in our private and public lives
ana demand our gratitude and praise
Ihls gratitude should be expressed III
pubic and private. Therefore as IN
ulVlduals and as church we should Say
Hitherto ath the Lord helped us.
Mr.. Whitaker then referred to the
origin OF the Chestnut street church anu
the origin of Methodism as illustrated py
the history Of the past one hundred years.
he then spoke of the present condltlon
OF Methodism as a factor in the world S
evangelization. 1t has adherents NUMBER
Ing twenty millions, OF whom TOUR
millions are mem bers, and adds TO ats
membership one-quarter OF mlliloh
persons each year. 1t has the largese
UNCONVENTIONAL Young Peoples Society
in the world that aggregates one million
members. 1t has the largest number OF
students in Sunday schools, wherein each
year 200, 600 are converted, has the largest
number Of students in her denomlna-
tional schools and yet no denomlnatlon
more loyalty supports and herolcally de-
tends the American public school system.
1t has reached the foremost rank IN he
foreign missionary work Of our age. Her
contributions for.that.end, aggregated last
year more than one million dollars. Inc
strength of Methodism lies in its know
able religion. God gamers his treasures
not to hoard, but to use them. 30 the
man who is consciously renewed IN the
Divine image. This is the secret OF
modern civilization, illustrated by
Arohimides, Calico, the Brotherhood OF
Man, the cause of temperance and the
activities of the Methodist Episcopal
church. God 8 presence is seen in all the
realms of nature and grace as an infinite
ly wise, omnipotent and omnlpresent De-
ing. The Scriptures teach that His care
of those who trust Him is illustrated by
His care of the Heavenly powers. His
presence is seen in all created things.
The human search for the infinite Son
in nature and human history fails, until
He reveals himself to man. He has re-
vealed Himself in them consciously re-
deemed To this Methodism testitles from
it's experimental faith. 1t has brought
its members into the closest touch with
the worlds redeemer. 1t leads to tireless
efforts to save men, send it into the tieid.of
sociological, economic and moral reforms,
makes it an invinoible evangellzing
power Methodism, with the other
evangelical churches, builds or rededicates
ten churches each day, organizes more
than fifty Sunday schools each week leads
so, 600 souls each month to Christ, and
III moving forward, and with ever in
creasing power to fill the world. Looking
back over all avenues of Christian success
and recognizing in every element of its
progress the divine help we say, "Hither-
to hath the Lord helped US.
At the close of the sermon Stainer's
Anthem. 81 Am Alpha" was sung by
the quartette, followed by the Doxology
and benediction.
THE LOVE FEAST.
The church was simply packed, CALLER
los and all, at the evening service. There
was the same striking group of venera BILE
clergymen on the platform seen at the
previous services, the one black head,
that of Rev. Edwin H. Hughes, only
serving to remind those present that the
church is still served by young as well
as venerable ministers. DR.. Parsons led
the meeting, and '"Amerioa" was sung
by the choir and congregation led by
MN. 7. Doten. Rev. f. C. Rogers led
in prayer.
Dr. Parsons spoke of the changed con-
ditions of the age. He could remember a
campmeeting when the presiding elder
called at the close of q love feast for vol
unteers to drive the roughs from the
ground.
DR.. Parsons spoke of the power OF a
name That of Robert I. Lincoln opened
to him one of tho English castles. He
spoke of the power of the name of Jesus.
Rev. I. Luce spoke of the ministry and
regretted that he "is now able to do but
little for Christ. -
''He calls it but little, but others know
how much it is, said DIR. Parsons.
Rev DIR. Mcdonald spoke Of his 30
years in the ministry. His first charge
was down on the coast and the people
were very poor. By permission of the
town. the parsonage was located in an
old and deserted graveyard. There was
grave under his study window, and
ancient tombstones in the front yard.
"Happy, if with my latest breath" was
sung, and then out in the aud ience a
brother said, "The old fire still burns. -
Rev. E. H. Hughes spoke of his ten
years of Christian life. He would not
change the ministry of the Methodl st
Episcopal church for the Presidency.
A lady spoke of her 40 years OF life