The Portland daily press., 1895-04-06

services conducted by Mr.. Mills?' is a cues
tion that has been asked very frequently OF
late, and the PRESS is able to say that il
is estimated by well informed clergymen
that at least five hundred additions will pe
made to the various churches in the city,
largely to churches that were connected
with the work. The following clergymen
were identified with the movement:
Rev. William S. Ayres. First Baptist.
| Rev. Leroy S. Bean, West CONGREGATIONAL
Rev. Carter E.Cate. Plymouth Free Batist.
| Rev. Vim. H. Fem, D. D.. High Street
Congrega ional.
Rev Rollin T.Hack. Second Parish, Con-
gregational.
Rev. Matt S. Hughes, Chestnut Street
Methodist.
Rev. l. Luce, Chestnut Street Methodist.
| Rev. George D. Lindsey, Congress Street
Meth odist.
Rev. H. MoGilvery. First Presbyterian.
! Rev. dwight NJ. Pratt, Williston Congre-
gational.
Rev. f. G. Rogers. Pine Street Metho-
dist.
| Rev. Thomas s. Samson, Free Street Bap-
| tist.
Rev. Francis Southworth. Seamens' Beth
el O congregational.
Rev. Abiel II. Wright, ESt. Lawrence
| Street Congregational.
Rev. Edward P. Woodward, Second Ad-
vent.
Rev. Charles Allen, D. D.. West End Me-
| thodist.
| Sunday morning Rev. Matt s. Hughes will
receive over one hundred into the Chestnut
street Methodist Episcopal church. Of
course they were not all converted at The
Mills meetings, or as the result of those
meetings, but many of them were. That
church may be said to enjoy almost con-
stant revival. Only short time ago seven
| teen were received who had been convert
ed at a time of no special excitement About
two hundred of the cards signed at The
Mills meetings were sent to the Chestnut
street church.
| So much has been said regarding the
| cards signed at the meetings that Mr..
Hughes was yesterday interviewed on the
subject. The cards expressed the desire
of the signers to live Christian life and
indicted the church and clerymen the sign
ers preferred. Mr.. Hughes said that the
cards had been greatly misunderstood. II
had been taken for granted that every card
signed meant convert. while either
Mills or any other clergyman had regarded
the cards as anything more than an intro
duction of soMe ministers to some Eone who
was at least thinking seriouly of eternal
things. sit isn't so very easy," he said,
"to go to a man and ask him if he is con-
cerned about his soul,while the cards serve
as an invitation to call. A man can't well
say that il isn't the concern of the minister
who calls on him if he signed card that in
effect asked him to call. Some of these
cards were signed by Christian people. 9th
ers were signed by boys, one signing after
another. and the act meant but little to
them, and still others were signed by peo-
! pie who thought that it would show that
they were. not opposed to the work, but very
many were signed by those who made the
signing the first step in tho Christian
| life."
Mr. Hughes said, that in bis opinion. if
| there had not been single card signeod,
or a single con vert made at the Mills moet-
ngs they would have paid in the end. but
hundreds were converted. Mr.. Hughes
spoke of tile interesting fact that many
who did not sign card, or rise for prayers
at the Mills meetings have since been con-
verted. The days that followed the close
of the meetings were improved by the
churches and the work there commenced
was carried forward more quietly, but
with hardly less success than during the
days of the meetings. Mr.. Hughes said that
| the results in that direction have been
very great.
This view of the case was in line with the
position taken by Mr. j. R. Libby. in his
a BILE and interesting address at the meet
| ing at the Free street church the previous
evening. Mr.. Libby spoke of some who did
not show the least religious interest dur
| ing the Mills meetings, but who were yet
| coverted becsause o. them.
Rev. I. Luce,who was seen yesterday said
that there was nothing in the present sitna-
tion but enc o1ragement. He is confident
that the number converted will exceed five
suits have exceeded the expec tations of all
who were connected with the meetings
The Ceremony of receiving the one hun
street Methodist church sunday morning
will occupy the entire service. Mr. Hughes
will offer prayer. and will probably make a
| brief address. They will not be received
tIeir admission on probation. 1t is expect
| ed that there will be very large atteh-
dance.
en- of at the Free street church meeting
Thursday evening. by DR.. Fenn and others
was we'll illustrated YESTERDAY. A Dung
| lady, who was converted at the Mills me et-
| ings was at first disposed to unite with one
of the Methodist chu rohes, but her family
| attend Baptist church, and the Metho-
dist pastor at once on hearing all the facts
| in the case advised her to unite with the
church of which her family are me mbers.
| and she will do so.
The Reed Club.