The Portland daily press., 1896-12-28
THE WAsHINGTONIANs.
Crowded Gospel Missi en- Hall Last
Evening.

JeIIery ana IeATsOA-L CoPAo <ahAAOAo
to Sign the Pledge VIII Sign on New
Years Eve.
Congress hall, or tho Gospel Temperance
Mission, was completely filed last eve
ming by an audience of young end mid
dle-aged people interested in the work OF
the Washingtonian movement now being
cond ucted by the Rev. S. E. Pearson,
Capt. Geo. Blake and other well-knuwn
citizens.
The service was opened by the singing
of the familiar hymn "Al nail the
Power of Jesus Name" A short praise
service was then held, the singing being
led by Rev. Mr.. Pearson. The ascot
ate pastor, II. +. Dexter, then read as
sages from the 2sth chapter of Isiah.
Prayer was then offered and the praise
service continued for brief time after
which Mr. George H. Blake was intro
duced as the first speaker.
Mr.. Blake said in substance: God
gave to mankind in the creation a world
large enough and with sufficient sup
plies therein for the wants of man. He
gives to man the fowls of the air, and
the earth brings forth it's harvest for the
suatenance of man. We have deIanged
by our own courses, the plans of the AL
mighty as regards our material wants.
Man is dull sighted; man neglects to
study the provisions of God; man has
neglected the grand opportunities for
helping himself. The day is coming when
man shall no longer pursue the ways OF
evil and intemperanoe. Why is it; why
are We struggling day by day for susten-
ance, when our hardships are brought on
by our own foolhardiness? We do those
things that are intsmperate and thus it
is that the ill effects and suffering of life
is brought upon US. The pulpit, by it's
ministers, is preaching the higher life,
but they never tell the people how to get
to that life.
They neglect to teach the people the
steps that lead to that higher life. Tenn
perancs is the step, and we need more Of
it taught from the pulpit. A month
ago the ministers of Portland were not
with US but today. according to their own
testimony, they are in the movement.
How much ia man worth in lis per-
sonal interest? l remember receiving
call one time from young man that
had received word that his mother was
dead and he was anxious to go homo to
the funeral, but had no money to go with.
gave him the money and he went. Soon
after he returned and was changed
man. He told me that at the side of his
mothers coffin he resolved never to touch
another drop, and to the best of my
knowledge he never has taken drop to
this day. He vas nothing himself prior
to this resolve, but afterwards he became
great and grand worker, and today be
believes he is doing much good for fallen
humanity.
1t is worth while for a man to stop and
consider what he is worth, and as to
whom he may be able to help if he lives
on the side of right and temperance.
At this, the close of another year, let
US all resolve that we will lead livea Of
temperance and sobriety.
The hymn "How happy are they who
the Savior obey" was then sung, after
which MIR. C. e. Jeffrey was intro-
duced, and said: 81 believe if the faith
ers and mothers do their duty tonight
they will sign the pledge of total ABB
stinence. I speak to you as father. L
want to speak to you Of practice that is
carried on in many of the families in
this city. There they have the Illicit stuff
brought into their homes and tell their
children it is not good for them, and then
before them will drink it themselves
l never have lived life of total absti-
nence until recently. attended one of
these meetings and resolved never again
to drink even a social glass. l want to
urge you all to help in this educational
end to another. Let US all to night, on
this last Sabbath of the year, resolve that
we will help some fallen brother during
the coming year by setting the example
and signing the pledge ourselves.
Another hymn was then sung and
said that three weeks ago young man
in hard circumstances, in this city, had
sold his coat and some other clothing,
after which he took the pledge and then
came to me and asked for help to get to
Lynn, where he hoped to find employ
ment. He was successful and in three
weeks sent me check of $50 to be placed
to his credit in savings bank in Port
land. A short while ago this young
man had several hundred dollars on de-
posit, but after a long debnuch had
squandered all that he possessed. He
then resolved to take the pledge of total
abstinence. which he did. and today he
is once again man and is in prosper
GUS way.
Think. You Christian friends, that
your child is stronger than others. and
better able to Withstand the temptations
of life?
There is but one safeguard for man,
said John B. Cough, and that is to take
the pledge of total abstinence. Tonight
young men, appeal TO you for the sake
of those whom you huld dear, ehat you
will come forward at the close Of the