The Portland daily press., 1869-08-05
DAILY PRESS.
PORTLAND.
Thursday Mornings August s, 1859.
Republican Nominations.
nI. FOR GOVERNOR
JOSHUA L. CHAMBERLAIN,
OF BRUNSWICK.
ADDRESS.


Given ut the laying of the Corner Stone of
fhe Second Universalist Church of Pofi-
land, August 3, 1869, by Rev. G.. w.
Qutnby ofAususta, Rdisor of the Gospel
Banner.
We are gathered to-day, Christian friends
and Brothers of the "Mystic tie," in accord
ance with the general usage of our Church.
for the performance of ceremony which IS
not without its meaning and its influence
All rites and ceremonies have their symbolical
representation. The insignia of this order of
"men good and true," who are here with their
badges and their instruments of labor as
craftsmen" to participate with this Christian
congregation in the work of this hour, Is not
without its significance. 1t speaks to those of
us who can read its language, of temple
builded in the hearts of its members, consti-
tuted, not OF stone, or marble and mortar,
but moral and social temple, whose founda-
tion stones are Friendship, Truth, Honor,
all Of which are cemented together by the
holy principles of charity and brotherly affec-
ton. a ft
So this Corner Stone, and the ceremonies in
which we are engaged, symbolic something
they teach something They speak to us
language, when properly interpreted that
means great deal, and all it means is beau
tiful, meriting, it appears to me, our hearts
gratitude and the warm appreciation of all
good men; for,-this is the corner stone not
of commercial structure-(though believe
that the true foundation of all success in busi-
ness is the Church, or correct religious prin-
ciple). 1t is not the corner stone Of dwell
ing, play house, q gambling house or
brothel, but it is the corner stone of q church
"a Christian church, which embraces in its
significance the Gospel;-the Gospel of the
Lord Jesus Christ-the Gospel of righteous
of i. n -,
men" which, in consequence OF its divine
spirit, the riches of its truths, and Its sublime
doctrines of another and better life, is de-
nominated in the New Testament, the "glO-
rious Gospel of the blessed God" The very
object Of the erection of the church edifice
which this ceremony foreshadows, and this
corner stone symbolizes. Is the culture of the
soul in this Gospel or the furtherance of the
principles Of the Christian religion among
men. IL M 4....4
In the few remarks have to offer, / will
say, first, that if we consider the church edi-
fee in its mere outward or material aspect-it
affords lesson of interest. This beautiful
city-the commercial metropolis of our State
lis all the more beautiful because OF its sew
enteen temples, OF worship. To behold the
walls Of church ediice, rising in harmonious
and complete proportions, affords ioy. to all
good-minded men. As work of art, it orna-
ments and improves, adding worth and beau
ty to its surroundings, and giving an air Of
taste, refinement and enterprise OF which ev-
cry good citizen and especially every Chris
tian, may well be proud. IN s,, ,i.a4
: Here, upon this foundation, such church
ID to be erected. 1t will be an edifce nearly
100 feet in length by 90 in breadth, with 4
spire 1876 feet in height 1t is to be provided
with ample vestry arrangements for school
of 300 members, and will contain an dudito-
rum that will seat an assembly of GOO persons;
the whole will be in beautiful symmetry ex-
ternally, and finished in modern style. 4
We trust the structure will be completed
without any great delay, and in due time win
be furnished with q bell that will ring out its
clear notes on the Sabbath air, pealing out
its glad sounds in unison with other churches
of this city, calling the people to the praise
and worship OF God in his holy temple.
The ceremony in which we are now engag-
ed therefore, foreshadows work of external,
material improvementand Of additional beau
| ty to this section of the city, in which all
right minded and thoughtful men should re-
joice. eta.i N. ts.si..
But ! remark secondly, and mainly, that
this consideration Is of small moment, COM
pared with what the church edifice represents
0.l.ASlizes, o,,l.;,-s 81 OF timer, sptrstuat
sdvsncement % @ in dvhse freTsh ,e IN grace its
of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ into
which 1t is elevated, and the building of the
SOULS affec ions and aspirations up into no.
ly, glorious temple in the Lord. In this view,
this corner stone, standing for the church
and representing the church, symb0lizes
blessed religious truths and moral principles
| which shall prepare men and women for the
duties and conflicts OF life; for noble deeds of
| justice, humanity and charity. Here, in this
| temple, will be instiled into the minds Of
children and youth, holy ideas--leading them
| toGod--instructing to them in divine principles,
| giving their minds and their affection prop
| er bias; thus preparing them for usefulness,
| to become good citizens, blessing to them
selves, their families, to the STATE, their coun-
| try. and TO the world. it''f .7Y.s
| What work can we imagine more beautiful
| or more deserving the warm appreciation of
| the wise and good /? The culture ofthe youth
1 of ancient Athens and Rome consisted in
| what were called manly sports, athletic, phys
| ical exercises and the arts OF war. But here
| is q culture which has to do with the inner
| life, the thoughts, the affections, (which
| gives the soul its character. The city, the
| State, the Nation, each is made of its men
| and women. They constitute its being. This
| city is what its citizens make it. This nation
| is what its citizens make it,by what they are;
| and not so much by what they are intetlectt-
| ally a. by what they are morally and spirit
| uailg. III I congratulate you citizens of Port
| land, most heartily, on the high character of
| your schools and schoolhouses. What mag
| nifcent structures have you erected here at
| immense expense, for the culture of your
4 children Is the rudiments OF learning-in
| science, and to prepare them for the business
| demands of the hour. But of what value is
| the sch0olhouse without the church? b Of,
what worth is mere intellectual knowledge,
with the soul untaught Of God, undisciplined
| by moral truths, unprincipled, base and grow
sllings Ofwhat value are the lives Of your
4 sonsland daughters, however thoroughly ed
4 ucated in the instructions Of the schools, and
in polite accomplishments, II their hearts are
i at enmity against God,-if they are extraya-
CANT, drunkards, corrupt, vile, licentious and
| dedauehed?
| It is the church that has to do with the
souls of human beings. 1t is the truth of re-
| ligion, and the moral and spiritual influences
| of the Gospel, that mould and discipline,-
| subdue and temper the thoughts and the pas
sions, working silently and almost impercep-
| tibly perhaps, like the leaven in the meal, to
| this end. n,
Irepeat, I congratulate this beautiful city
| OF education; but feel to thank God more
| heartily for the existence of your splendid
| churches. God himself has said, that it is
| Righteousness that exalteth a nation" Not
| aceQlth, nor colleges, nor armies, nor ndries,
/ nor extent ofterritoriaL possessions, but right
e0uSneSS. This is the corner 6oone OF all true
! exaItation. And this exalteth not only ma
| ton, State, a city, aicommunity; but an iA-
| diyidual. A man is exalted not so much by
what he has, or by what he kn0ios, as by what
| he Is. What he is in heart in character; in
4 the moral and spiritual elements ofhis being
1 He may be educated educated In all the
1 wisdom OF the world, Imean, land be villain
i at heart; and more dangerous villain be-
cause of bis education. Your schools them
i beautiful and valuable as they are,-are not to
j ~ 1comna,ed with your churches. They do
not sccomnlish the high and divine work Of
i tbs churches. The latter culture the soul in
i what Il utterly indispensable to happiness,
| prosperity and true greatness Hr
/ Some have pronounced Christianity fail+
/ ure. "A failure is it F? In what condition would
| YOU find this city in five years from this day
| nay In one year,-if destitute Of the Christian
4 religfon?-if all Bibles were destroyed, every
4 church consumed, the ministerial Office abol-
| ished, the Sabbath utterly unknown, and ev-
| erything that savors of religion annihilated.
i Where would have been our country during
! the late rebellion, had it not been for the NOR
| III effect of our churches,-the institution OF
/ the Sabbath and our Christian ministers. by
their prayers, their tears, their exnortations,
/ their labors of love- ;-by the INSPIRATION tney
i awakened in mothers, sisters, wives, ana tnous-
4 ands of good men, they aroused spirit 81 con-
i secration. and exerted an influence in behalf
4 oftheir country's veal, such as came from no
! otfier class OF men.
4 And what would be the condition of our
4 State and our nation to-day, ii Christianity