The Portland daily press., 1895-10-18

|
ence-Rev. Mr.. Woodward Speaks on the
Results of the Mills Meetings.-other
Matters
The business session of the Maine State
Conference of Adyentists opened Thurs
day forenoon in the Advent church at
Westbrook. The president OF the confer
ence, Rev. O. s. French, of Auburn,
presided, Rev. o. A. Dinsmore, of
Richmond, was secretary.
When the report of the treasurer was
called for Rev. D. T. Call, of Biddeford,
reported that he was elected year ago
but his predecessor had turned over
neither assests nor books So, while he
was treasurer, Mr.. Call had nothing to
present. 1t then developed that the retlr-
ing treasurer had but sixty five cents in
the treasury anyway.
These statements developed tho fact that
the money of the conference is held by
the finance committee aud expended py
| it, The treasurer. therefore, was largely
ornamental So vote was passed tnat
hereafter the treasurer be exofficio men,
her of the finance committee.
The conference was opened by the read
ing of scriptures by Elder u. d. Little.
Prayer was offered by Elder M. G. Mel
| son.
Mr.. A. S. Prescott and Elder Fred
johnson were appointed committee on
credentials.
| The order of business for 9 a. ID. Friday
was suspended sufficiently to enable some
of the reports of preachers and elders to
be made.
Rev. M. Little of Bangor, reported
that he had found there a true and
tried gpeople in his church. He had bap-
tiled eight during the year. The church
membership is about 150 A baptistry
had been built during the year. This
had aroused a great deal of opposition, as
many were opposed to being baptised In
a box " But the baptistry had been
built, paid for aud used. A parsonage
will soon be ready for occupancy.
Rev M. Call, of Biddeford reported a
membership of 1874 as against IS when he
went to the church. The church has the
largest congregation in the city, especial
ly on rainy days. Open air meetings were
being hold successfully in the city square
The ladies of the church sing, and the
pastor breaches. A large and respectful
audience always attends. Mr.. Call said
that in the next five years many preachers
and peoples would have to turn out of
their churches if they wanted to reach the
people, The audiences in the church at
Biddeford have increased greatly since the
outdoor meetings began. Financially the
church has been hurt by the legacy,
which is now in the courts. The men,
bers of the society. relying on the legacy,
have got out of the habit of going into
their own pockets. Mr.. Call hoped the
Lord would keep the legacy in the courts
until the mem bers got to giving again.
Elder Day, of Saco, reported from his
itineracy, which reaches Liyermore,
Bonny Eagle, Hampton, N. H., ETC.
Rev. t. P. Woodward, of Portland,
reported that some features of his work |
had been very encouraging. The period
of the Mills meetings had been one Of
activity, but he was not sure that the |
meetings had helped them much. Indi-
vidually he felt that if the meetings
should occur again, he should favor keep |
ing out. There was no fault to be found |
with she meetings, or with Mr. Mills |
Some things he had said had been inter-
preted as thrusts against the Adventist
but he had explained that it was uninten- |
tional. The Mills meetings also disar-
ranged the church work, and tired every
one out. They were like the man who
ran mile to jump over a fence, and
breath to jump. Then 80 out of 100 con-
verts in union meetings will gravitate to
other than the Advent churches The
Advent doctrines are not generally I'M
derstood. Then there is an open issue
between the Advent pastors and his asso-
ciates. If the Advent pastor is right in
preaching the second coming of Christ, |
then the preachers in other denominations
are deliberately suppressing the truth. |
Our denomination is unpopular, and if
it ever becomes popular it will he It's ruin.
(Cries of Amen) The Portland church in |
the seventh year of Mr.. Woodward's pas
torate is ten larger than when he came,
although there have been forty deaths.
The afternoon and evening were largely
devoted to addresses and experiences.
Rev. D. T. Call of Biddeford, preached
in the afternoon.
Uncle T om's Cabin.