The Portland daily press., 1867-11-30
Thanksgiving Services ut High Street

Chnrch.t ~
The discourse was by the pastor, Rev. w. H.
Fem. Previous to its delivery, select passages
of scripture were read from Judges and the
Psalms; from the former parable of Jotham
ON the trees which 'went forth on time W
anolnt king over them" by when Apinie,een
and the Sheshemites were rebuked ano 'nen
destruction foretold from the latter 'le conn
denca of the church in God; GOD is our rel
uge and our strength
The discourse was founded ON the 18th verse
of the Sd chapter of Deuteronomy-"Wh no Is
like unto thee, o people, saved by the Lord.
The public is comparatively modern institu-
tion Men in masses have had from time i'm
memorial undeniable weight under govern
ment whatever its name or FORM The princi-
Pile of social equality has seldom been secured
by political guarantees, OF been long maintain
ed. 1t has been reserved for the intelligence
of a modern civilization to plant the rights of
man upon their proper basis, and to memorial
| ize before the world the safeguards of democ-
racy. Great Britain has achieved the three
| grandest reforms of modern legislation. Even
the Tory ministry bids for popular favor
against Gladstone and John Bright. Our gov
| eminent has Indirectly contributed to this re-
suit. Public opinion, however, even with u.s.
is as yet comparatively uniformed, and there
fore by no means an infallible ruler. We are
only to strike the average of attainment to see
how vast is the interval between the present
and the ideal election of the masses. The peo-
pie as whole are just as impulsive as the indi-
vidual-more subject to the contagion of PAN
ic.
| liz, sfc of ia he
to follow men rather than principles; the in
capacity Of the people to entertain more than
one idea at a time; the intolerance of innova-
tion the change within the past four years in
the matter of human rights-to speak of abol-
ition in pulpit prior to that time being like
| dropping a torpedo among the audience, while
abolition now is almost universally adopted
the inexperience in the use of means to alta.
their ends; republics are not success so fal
as the choice of representatives is concerned
the people are abused by the mere politicians
the difficulty which lies in the inertia of tht
people to do what they know ought to be done
And yet the defects of popular government
/. may be shown to arise from misunderstanding
the essential, functions OF. government. Tn
| true Office of government is the maintenance
| a popular government is unquestonably tn
best ideal government. 1t fails, as it ought t.
fail, when it attempts too much. The hope O
a more enlightened public opinion is in tn
common schools, in more outspoken plat
form, in the growing power and purity Of th
, press and in the catholic wisdom and cosmo
politan spirit which grows out of our instan
communication with all the civilized states
the globe. 1t is for US as people to perfec
the grand vehicle of the nations, and to max
highway for its progress. aid, t..a
. Our chief duty to-day is to see our DANCE
4 and our refuge The most ,noxious foeito ill
/ erty is the spirit of caste. Education and oil
servation may do much in this direction, br
: after all nothing can overcome the ignoranc
and prejudice of classes in society, but the go,
pei. The Billie is the corner stone of libert,
and the capstone is Jesus Christ
t DEDICATION IN WEsTBRooK.-The dedica
ton of the new and elegant church erecte
I" the past season on the Seminary grounds i
G Westbrook, will take place Tuesday, Dec 3, {
: 10 10 o'clock, A NJ The sermon will be civ
: en- by Rev. E. &c. Bolles OF Portland.l A SCI
s mon win also be preached in the afternoon b
Rev. Mr.. Battles of Bangor or Rev. Mr.. Sno
, of Auburn. There will also be CopferenC
and Prayer Meeting in the evening, in whic
l all who desire to do so, can participate h
speaking. The friends in Westbrook sen
greeting to all the brethren in the iegio
round about and cordially invite them to
:. present ON this interesting occasion; and a
our ministers who can make it convenient
attend, are hereby individually solicited to
present and aid in the services of the day. :
l large, earnest and interesting meeting is cont
n IDENTIFY anticipated. Let the friends in Yves
/ brook not be disappointed. f.ii iJT9 ~
h The sale of pews will take place on Wedne
dre-.a'fAnino- Dec 4. and all that are intereste