The Home Missionary Convention at Portland, Maine
By E. M. Graham
A VERY interesting and helpful home missionary convention was held at Portland, Maine, July 31 and August 1. The first day was devoted to a consideration of principles and methods, the great needs and the responsibilities. A hearty response was made, nearly every one in the house rising when a call was made for a sacred covenant to be made with God to be faithful to the impressions of the Holy Spirit. After a discussion upon the value of the REVIEW AND HERALD in keeping faith alive in the home, it was unanimously voted that every family in the church should have this tried and faithful minister in the home. In regard to the second day, Mrs. W. H. Carr writes as follows: “The second day of the convention was devoted to demonstrating different phases of the missionary work, instead of telling how it should be done. In the two ways of giving Bible readings, one worker seemed untrained, was late in meeting her appointment, and upon a slight invitation readily consented to stay to supper. The second one made her points clear and persuasive, and left her reader deeply interested, and anxious for the worker to come the next week. Missionary letters were written and sent, and the answers read. A tract rack was placed in a waiting station; while the passengers waited, they read, and results were developed and reported. A sick woman was visited by a worker, who related gossip, read exciting war news, and was sorry to inform her that her physician feared she had tuberculosis. The second visitor brought a ‘sunshine bag,’ filled with dainty remembrances, and flowers. The patient was assured of her improved condition, and the worker left her with hope and cheer.” “The importance of reporting missionary labor was thoroughly discussed, after which a solo was sung, set to the old familiar tune of ‘Majestic sweetness sits enthroned,’ and the words, ‘Report, report, report, report,’ were impressively sung, the congregation joining in the chorus. The second stanza was called for, and sung with enthusiasm.” An interesting goal was set before the church for the Harvest Ingathering. It was stated that if one hundred of the members would each dispose of one of these Ingathering papers each day for three months, beginning October 1, and if an average of ten cents were received for each paper, it would mean a circulation of 10,000 papers and a collection of one thousand dollars in cash. The question, “Do you want to do it?” was answered by a vote to adopt this as the goal of the Portland church. It will be seen that this was a very practical convention, and this plan of giving practical demonstrations in how to do different lines of work is a most helpful one. Most people learn much more readily by seeing a thing done than they do by hearing how to do it. It is particularly encouraging to see this Portland church setting a high mark for its Ingathering work. If all our churches would aim as high, and all determine to reach the mark at which they aim, a tremendous impetus would be given to our foreign mission work. The Portland church set a high mark last year and reached it. This one is still higher, but they say they intend to do the work, and we believe they will. One of their workers says, ‘We must crowd into the hour of setting sun a whole day’s labor.’ If all will do this, the work can soon be finished.