The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-10-22
THE EPWoRTH LEAGUE.
Meeting of Portland District At Biddeford
Yesterday.
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.l

ESFhC1 ~ I@]N AAAh1Sf
Biddeford, October 21.-The animal
convention of the Epworth League chap
tiers of the Portland district, was held in
the Foss street Methodist church today.
There was an attendance of about 200 at
the afternoon session, representing about
% chapters.
After the devotional exercises, con.
Quoted by Rev. Walter Canham of Old
Orchard, IAN address of welcome was given
by Rev. c. W. Bradlee, pastor Of the Foss
street church, and was fittingly responded
to by Rev. j. R. Clifford of Woodfords,
president of the District league.
The principal address of the forenoon
was delivered by Presiding Elder e. o.
Ihayer of the district The address was
largely in the line of practical suggestions
along lines of league work.
These committees were appointed !:
On nominations, Rev. W. r. Berry, Ira
s. Locke, Rev. +. G. Porter, Mrs. l., ].
Rich, q. H. Clark, Rev. E. C. Strout:
on resolutions. Rev. W. P. Merrill, H.
L. Nichols. Joseph E. Grant
Reports from vice-presidents on depart
ment work were submitted as follows
Department of social work, Mrs. H. L.
Nichols, Kennebunpkort; mercy and help,
Miss Nellie L. Guilford, Old Orchard !;
correspondence, Miss Grace e. Tibbetts,
Biddeford; finance. Joseph E. Grant,
Saco.
In the afternoon Ira S. Locke, ESQ.,,
of Portland, conducted the opening devo-
tional exercises. Then came the business
session. These officers were elected:
President-Rev. C. G. Phelan, West
brook.
Vice Presidents-W. S. McGeoch, Port
land; Miss Mary Woodman, Portland !;
Miss Annie E.. Raitt, Elliott; Mrs. E. O..
Thayer, Woodfords.
Secretary-Miss Grace E. Tibbetts,
Biddeford.
Treasurer-Joseph E. Grant, Saoo.
Executive Committee-Rev. E. G.
Strout, Saco; Rev. j. R. Clifford, Wood
fords; Rev. W. j. Wier, Portland.
The resolutions submitted by the COM
mittee thanked the various retiring off,
GERS for their efficient service; made
special mention of the assistance the
league had received from Rev. DR.. Thay-
er; expressed a determination to distri-
butte in jails in the district and among
vessels in port religious literature. The
resolutions concluded with the follow
ing:
Resolved, That we hereby express our
sympathy and pledge our hearty cooper
alton with the Christian Civic league of
Maine, and as an organization will do
all in our power to advocate its principles
whenever we can practically do so.
The last clause of the resolutions
brought out some discussion and gave
Rev. W. E. Berry of Portland, one of the
officers Of the Maine Civic league, an op-
portunity to explain the objects of that
organization. The discussion was started
by Rev. W. S. Jones, who expressed the
opinion that the leaguers could render
most assistance to the cause by address
ing petitions to the officers for better
enforcement of the prohibitory law. He
suggested, also, that some arrangement
should be made for union of endeavor
between the Epworth league and the
various temperance organizations, in the
line indicated.
Rev. Mr.. Berry, after briefly outlining
the objects of the Civic league, took o.
caeion to remark that he wouldn't give
the snap of finger for what petitions
accomplish. He said the Christian citi-
zen of the state might go on indefinitely
sending In petitions of officers to enforce
the laws, but no heed would be paid to
them. "4Politicians have no oonse-
quence," he added, "except what may
be reached by votes. The place to begin
to better the present condition of things
and improve the class of men who are
chosen to enforce.t the laws, is at the ballot
box, and in the caucuses. Gov. Powers
has openly declared that it is not his
province to enforce the laws, but that if
proceedings are begun against any sheriff
or public officer with view to impeach-
ment for non performance of duty, the
Governor and Council stand ready to as
sist in prosecuting such proceedings.
President Elder Thayer Endorsed the
remarks of Mr.. Berry. The resolutions
were adopted as submitted by the COM
mittee.
The remainder of the afternoon was
devoted to addresses on the department.
of literary work, by Miss Nettie Debeck
of Westbrook; Echoes from the Toronto
Convention" by Rev. W. S. Bovard of
York Village" Department of Spiritual
Work." Rev. A. A. Callaghan of Bidde-
ford Pool. An exhibition of junior de-
partment exercises by pupils of the Foss
street Junior League was next given.
The evening sermon was preached by
Rev. G. G. Phelan. the new president Of
the District league, and was followed bv
q conservation service, conducted by Pre-
siding Elder Thayer.
HOW IlEWICTON HE IN rrc, III