The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-10-06
rsvEorAL no THE rREss.l

lSYECIAL IL 1dE 1IhAASeS
Houlton, October 5.-The Baptist con-
vention here today adopted vote COM
mendIg an offer made by the Kew. WAL
bur f. Berry to resign his psstJrate and
give his time to work as q state agent
for the Christian Civic League, provided
80 men can be found to give Sloo each
towards the expenses of years WORE
Mr. Berry is Methodist clergyman, at
present ssrying the Congress street Metho-
dist church in Portland. He has been
prominent member of the Civic League,
The purpose of which is to secure tile en-
force,uent of law. its efforts being especi'
ally directed to the laws dealing with the
liquor traffic and Sunday observance.
IL was during the forenoon session
that Rev. DIR. Spencer presented the lol
lowing report from the committee on re-
form, which led the way TO the presenta-
ton of6Mr. Berry's propositions:
AS a convention of Christian men and
women. we believe that no stable COM
rnonwealth can be established and main !.
tanned, nor can the Kingdom of Christ be
built up without the foundation OF
morals and religion. 49,
STATE we deplore and condemn the evils
th,,t are practicea in spite OF law and
gospel.
In particular we renew our indignant
protest against .the persistent offsets OF
iiuuor dealers and Sabbath breakers 10
weaken q wholesome respect Tor law ana
order and we see in such effects grow h
of Iawlessness which is certain not o
stop with the violations of the prohibi-
tory law and Sabbath, most earnestly o
WA condemn the cOnnivance OF sHorl,
officers of the law, the selfish policy OF
CORPORATIONS and the apathy OF many
citizens in respect to such law breaking.
We reaffirui with renewed emphasis
that these sins against good government,
together with all other kindred evils.
such as swindling, murder, easy divorce,
SANDER, neglect of tine public worship
Of God profanity and etonsness are
Of the devil, and we pledge ourselves to
cast them out and to use our influence in
every feasible way to bring them to IN
utter end.
The recommendation made by this
tody wear ago to use the Christian
Civic League Of Maine as valuable
agency through which to cooperate in
the extinction of these evils is hereby
repeated and strongly urged and the
hops expressed that an efficient agent OF
the league be secured without delay to
give greater effect to its aims and pur'
poses.
Rev. Mr.. Owen of Houlton spoke in
support of the recommendation that q
Civic League worker be put In the field.
He told of the Civic Leagues work in
Aro1stook county in securing from the
candidates for the Republican nomination
for county attorney a declaration that
they would inpartially enforce the pro,
hiiifory law Hon. h. W. Shaw, one of
tie signers of this declaration. was nomi-
mated and elsoted.
Then Mr.. Owen announced the offer
of Rev. MIR. Berry to enter the field as
thu executive officer of the State League.
Mr.. Berry offers to give UP his Passionate
and enter upon the work provided 30
men can be found who will guarantee to
give him 500 each for u years work.
Mr.. Owen said that Mr. Berry, a success
fal pastor. offered to leave bis work as a
minister TO do labor regarded as mean
and dirty. but which was really high ard
noble service.
A vote was then unanimously passed
commencing the plan to put MIR. Berry
In the field as state agent of the Civic
League