The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-01-30
TIE 7. \. G A. CONVENTION.
Proceedings Of the state Assembly on
Saturday Last

osturuty Last
why More Young Men do Not Join the
Orgsnfzstfon--Dr. Bakers Interest,"
ing Address ON Loyalty Go the Bible.
The state convention Of the Y. NJ O.
A. continued It's sessions, Saturday. At
nine o'clock there was a devotional scr
vice conducted by william Hayes OF Au-
burn, followed by reading from the
Bible ~ Mr.. George u. shaw Of Boston.
Then came business meeting which
was followed by IN oAble discussion by
Maurice Ross of Portland.
In the afternoon there were two special
conferences, the one devoted to college
work and presided over by Mr.. II. ..
williams. the other on the matter Of city
and town associations, Mr.. H. NJ. Moore
presiding.
There were representatives from the
different state colleges as follows: Bates
IL. Bowdoin IA. Colby l. Maine state .,
and from the fitting schools goodly del
eeation was present including delegates
from Nichols Latin, Bucksport, Hebron,
Maine Wesleyan at Kent's Hill and Co
burn.
Reports were listened TO covering In q
general way the work which had been
done at the different Institutions. the
number Of meetings held, etc., and Ii
appeared that out of l205Istudcnts. BOG
were enrolled rs members of the associa
ton.
Following the reports. q paper was
read BY Mr.. o. o. Slower of the Maine
State University In which he stated
some Of the objections urged by young
men when approached TO joiE the associa-
tion. Some said 1t interfered with sun
day study and generally speaking there
was n complaint OF lack of time because
of studies to attend TO the duties of the
association. Had associations kept many
away and many did not take kindly to
the evangelical test shutting out many
liberals and this class was very bitter In
their protestations II such Joined, they
could only become associate members and
In the course Of his remarks MIR. Stover
referring ito the quarrel between st.
Augustine and Faustus, introduced the
question Of eternal punishment, the lust of
A braham, Lot and David. the genesis,
and infAllioility lof:: the scriptures which
many thought should be strictly and lit
orally interpreted even to tho conclusion
that the world was actually finished in
six days. He thought that literally
minded students were not willing to
readily accept these doctrines, and as a
consequence difficulties in some dfreo-
tons were encountered in augmenting
tain class of college students.
No general discussion followed Mr..
Stover's paper but the chairman referred
In general way to that faith which
should inspire all and dwelt upon the
necessity Of renewed Interest and work
among college students. A season Of
prayer followed after which the corfer.
ence of college men adjourned.
At the same hour in another room of
the Y. Nj. &, A. building there was a
general discussion of the problem that
confronts the association throughout the
state. Matters financial were touched
upon. and especial attention was given to
the subject of reaching young men in
small fields where there are few preach
ers
After Mr.. Slower address in the after
noon, the remarks of Rev. DIR. Smith
est. DIR. Baker spoke in the evening
The session opened with singing by the
congregation. led by Captain X. 5.
Davis. This was followed by reading of
the scriptures by Rev. K. X. Purdy.
Mr.. J. u. Libby then offered prayer, and
after singing by the congregation Rev.
Smith Baker. ID. D., was introduced
He spoke on Loyalty to the Bible" DR.
Baker is an earnest and very interesting
speaker and his remarks were listened to
with the deepest interest by all present.
He said in substance: l have been re-
uuested to speak a few moments on the
way to success In Christian work. 1t has
been . long established rule that II man
wants to succeed in any branch of
special business he must be loyal to the
laws Of his trade, and SO Ii Is absolute
loyalty to the laws Of the life in which
we are living and 1t applies as we'll to
Christian life. and also to Christian
work. He who would be successful in
Christian work must be successful and
loyal to the chart of his work. There are
several reasons why we should be loyal
to the Bible. First. the Bible is the
VOID of Goa The Bible not only con-
sains the word of God but is the word of
God. do not mean that every word and
sy liable was dictated by God but l mean
that from the beginning to the end 1t is
the work of God and 1t has been pre-.
served through all ages. Who snail tell
which part is the word Of God? When
you say the Bible is the word of God and
that the Holy Spirit presided over its
preservation and that 1t is different
from all other books, in that 1t is the
inspiration and testimony of devout