The Portland daily press., 1895-03-28
THE LAST MEETING.
Over Two Thousand Meet Messrs
Mills and Hills.
The PRESS is Among Those Thanked
Exhortations to the Pastors and
Churches to Look Out for the Converts.

The PRESS is Among Those Thanked
Exhortations to the Pastors and
Churches to Look Out for the Converts.
The last of the series of Mills meetings
was held in City hall at 8 o'clock yesterday
afternoon. The audience must have num-
bered over two thousand. The opening pray
er was offered by Rev. Hosea Hewitt of
Woodfords. Rev. MI. Lindsey, the chair
man. then said that Mr.. Mills was going to
ask a special collection for worthy object
in which he was interested. Mr. Mills then
explained that since he had moved to Alba
ny he had become interested in the convicts
in the prison there. The great necessity
for these men is some honest work for them
to do when their terms expire. Mr.. Mills
has endeavored TO provide place for such,
and has leased a place in Albany where such
men are given lodgings. meals and work.
A coal and wood yard is run in connection.
The wood yard has given work to over one
thousand unfortunate men. Every man who
comes in is washed and his clothes are FUN
igated.s Then he is put into clean night
shirt and given good nights rest. In the
morning he is put at work in the wood
and the deficiency is made mp by offerings
such as was ASKED yesterday. The collection
amounted to two hundred and thirty two
dollars. Mr.. Mills said that any who wished
to help the home, which was called the
Welcome Home,'' might send the money to
Mr.J. R. Libby, who would forward it..
Mr.. Mills then went on to urge his hearers
to join earnestly in the work which the
churches would now take up.
The first and last verses of No. 160 were
next sung ITO the work. to the work,
we are servants'o the Lord
The eleventh chapter, thirteenth verse
of Corinthians afforded he text: FINALLY
Brethren. Farewell, be perfect" etc.
Some had said that the gospel was losing
its power. But what else could have
caused such great meetings and increasing
interest as here manifested? Men like
health, or wealth, but what man on earth
could lecture in this hall for twelve days on
either health or wealth, and.get one-tenth
of such audiences as have here assembled
No lecture on infdelity however brilliant,
could command audiences for SO long.
The power of the gospel is increasing. If
ever there WAS day when he Christian of
Portland could walk the streets with his
head up in the proud consciousness of the
increasing power of the faith which he pro-
feses, it is now.
There is something in all of us that re-
sponds to the simple, word of God, and,
without distinction of denomination. we
are one. Brethren and sisters conserve
this unity of the churches. which is putting
aside minor differences for the great unity
of the spirit.
The preacher said he had been asked to
preach a sermon on temperance. / think.
he said, find more concern about the vio-
lation OF your law. and about drunkenness.
which undoubtedly exists, than / have
found in other places. 1t would be pleasant
TO bring UP children i'll place where they
could see no drunken man. But there is
one thing worse than that, and that is to
bring up children where they can see men
who have not the will and courage to en-
force the laws against the great curse.
have seen drunken men coming into these
meetings. and / have had some private
conversations; which illustrate the misery
caused by your Indifference in this matter
and your failure to observe the just and
noble law which has been put upon your
statute books. tCries of amen and applause.
believe that one godly, fearless man of
good repute could make the sale of l:quor
impossible in this city. tApplause.) Mr..
Mills then went on to tell his auditors that
if they had the spirit Of grace as they
should nave, they would stamp out the
traffic.
Mr.. Mills then spoke of the conf serts that
had been made. and charged the older
Christians to greet them cordially and see
that all good. in duences were thrown about
them. He. himself, would advise the con-
verts, first, to study the Bible. which is the
book which moves the world today; second.
to pray habitually at regular times evening
morning and noon, especially at noon.
which is the best time as it is in the midst
of business cares; third, unconditional sur
render to wha God wants.you to do. some
had asked him to preach about cards. thea
tire and dancing. These things however,
were symptoms rather than the disease it
self. If you are in doubt about anything
DO not dosit. Decide first that you will
submit to thesswill of God. and then decide
what the will of God is. Do not get an idea
that you can have Jesus following you
about. You are a lost sheep il you do that.
Follow Jesus. Fourth, render service.
Join the church. I never knew but one
earnest Christian who was not church
member. His mother on her dying bed had
made him promise that he would never Join
church; but he was TO all practical pur-
poses member. Now in joining a church.
do not join the meeting house. Join the
church and all it's useful organizations.
In conclusion, Mr.. Mills asked every one
who would cherish the holy influence that
had come to him or her during the week, to
arise and join in the closing prayer.
Practically the entire audience of over
two thousand people arose as MI Mills of
cred the prayer.
Alter this came few brief congratulatory
exercises.
Rev. DR.. Vim. Il. Fenn of High street
Congregational. in behalf of the churches,
thanked Messrs. Mills and Hills for the at
mosphere of revival which they had brought.
The increasing love of music is character
istic of our age and as many are sung into
the Kingdom of Heaven as are preached
there. Revivals were necessary. DR.. Fem
said that he was conscious himself: of
preaching too.of:en gospel of edifcation
instead of revival. God bless Brothers
Mills and Hills for this atmosphere of re-
vival. He wished to thank them in the