Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-16
THE THIRD ANNUAL.
Convention Somerset Chris
tian Endeavor Union.
Large Attendance Of MEMBERSHIP
stracts Of Papers ard Addresses.
December Terms Of Supreme Court for Saga
i dahoc and Somerset.

set County Christian EndeavOr Union
was held here, today, at the Congrega-
tional church with a large attendance.
The following is a synopsis of the re-
port of the secretary, Miss Ella. Nash:
The number of Christian Endeavor
which are Congregational 6 Baptist
2 Friends>and S Union. The total mem
bership is approximately 900. of which
625 are active members. There are
also four Junior societies. An addition
of four new societies have reported
during the past year. namely at Ca
naan, New Portland, Dead River and
Fairfield
The report of the treasurer, Miss Car
rie Cleveland. was as follows:
At the convention held in 1895, through
neglect, the report of the treasurer
was not called for so the report
extends through the years of 1894 and
1895. The total amount received dur
ing the two years was $14.69; total
amounts paid out, $14.21; balance, As
cents. For the present convention, it
was necessary to make an assessment.
Alone With Cod was the theme of
H. w. kimball A short abstract fol-
| lows:
Many a Christian finds little joy in
prayer. 1t is an irksome duty and We
throw ourselves down by the bedside
for moment at morn and night and
humble a few words. We ask for the
Christian spirit and within 10 minutes
have forgotten for what we asked. We
| asked God to make us unselfish and
| then go out to be as selfish as ever.
Prayer is not asking little things for
ourselves-it is not even asking for our
friends-it is communion with God. 1t
is an upward look of the soul in trust
and faith. Christ often went into the
| mountain alone to talk with God. God
was as near to him as the father is to
| the child who has climbed upon his
knee. He talked with his Heavenly
| Father as simply as you and talk to
isome friend we lbve. 1t is in this way
| that we are to be with God. We are to
think of Heavenly things, desire them.
ponder on them. knowing that God is
| with us and that His spirit answereth
to our spirit. Perhaps the best way
| that we can pray is when we read His
word. Then He is speaking to us and we
can make our answer to Him as we
listen. l do not believe that we grasp
| the deeper spiritual truths of the Word
until the reading of the Word be-
comes conversation between us
and our Heavenly Father. This is
an age of hurry--we feel that there is
not time to stop and think-but we all
ought to find time to talk with God be-
cause it is only as we talk with Him
that we can walk with Him.
In the afternoon there were some
very interesting addresses.
Rev. B. F. Turner, Norridgewock,
spoke on THE Sword of the Spirit A
short abstract follows:
To make proper use of the Sword of
the Spirit which is the Word of God
we must first learn Just what it is
When we are thoroughly acquainted
with the Word of God, the first thing
which reaches us as a result of TINS
knowledge is enlightenment. The
second thing is we must advance fur
ther than to receive the simple enlight-
eminent: we must be educated in the
Word of God. But the difficulty arises
when many are satisfied to receive the
Enlightenment: this does not tit them
to be teachers Of the Word. When we
once obtain q good. practical knowl-
edge of the Bible. then and then only
are we in a condition to use 1t success
fully in the work. Where are we to use
the Sword of the Spirit? or course in
the church. Sunday school and prayer
meeting. but its use should not be
limited to these places. When should
the Sword of the Spirit be used? Some
people sit down. so to speek and let the
work go on but the proper way to DO
is. like the careful business man, create
opportunities where the application OF
the Word is needed. How should we
use the Sword of the Spirit? In the first
place we must use as though we be-
lieyed it to be true. Some people
apologize for the teaching of the Bible
But most surely, no apology is neces-
sary. BY whom should the Sword OF
the Spirit be used? 1t should be used
Inv any person who has any knowledge
of the Word of God.
"Secret of Power was the subject of
Pev A. n. Darys address. He said
in part: The mission of the gospel is
RI bring this world back to God. So
the end and aim Of every Christian or
eanization is to aid in this mission.
And the purpose of organization is to
make more efficient the work and in
tluence of the individual. But organl-
cation does not create power; it only |
utilizes it. The power, the only effect
i've power, in the Y. p. S. c. E. move
ment for the saving of this world IS
that of the Holy Spirit resident in the |
individual members. There is as great |
need of His presence in the hearts OF
Christian workers. today. as in the |
days of the Apostles. His presence
will manifest itself by intensifying the
longing to save the lost: by making |
bold to speak the truth; by manifest
inng the life of Christ in the heart and
life. and by vitalizing the word spoken.
Spirit for Christian service are a rlsn'
of His personality and Of
fce. a sense of absolute need of HIS
presence: a willingness to be fully
nsed of Him and sincere prayer and
and faith to receive Him.
CONTINUED on page 80 ]