The Portland daily press., 1869-08-05
Terms $500 pei, a,,nun,, h, adranee.

two great divisions; viz, Pagan and Chris
tian; and these two into other two, the
Pagan into Pagan and Mahometan; and the
Christian into Catholic and Protestant
Now in what countries do you find men
progressing in material activities; in human
ity and benevolence; in the arts and scien-
ces, and in all the blessings of refinement and
civilization? Where the most interse love
of learning? Where the schools and colleges2
the books and newspapers, post routes and
railroads, telegraphic arrangements and all
the other marks ofa high form of civilization
And above all, where the love of Justice and
sympathy toward all, as the fundamental ele-
hents OF human governments, which is the
ress?
Take your map and trace These activities
and developments and means of happiness
are not in Pagan or Mahometan countries.
Not in Africa, or India, or China: thew arc
rowhere in Turkey. You will find them in
Christian countries, but notohere else ON this
globe.
Now this is true; and the fact with me is
significant one, and should have its weight
with every rejecting mind.
The man who says Christianity is failure,
and that he will do nothing toward the erec-
ton OF a church on the maintenance OF Chris
tian institutions, because the world would be
as well off without as with them, doesn't know
how entirely fallacious is the ground he occu-
pies.
Where the Christian religion prevails--and
especially in the Protestant form,-where the
Bible is in the hands of all the people, and
they are left 10 worship God according to the
dictates OF their own consciences, there you
behold the marked progress in the material
activities have described; the high state OF
intellectual and moral culture; the freedom,
tranquility, happiness and hopeiulness OF
which have spoken.
1t is for these reasons, Christian friends,
and because of the loving faith, and the sweet
hope Of Immortality whichit imparts, that
love the Christian religion and labor for its
promotion in my poor way. 1t is for these
reasons that / rejoice to behold the erection
of a beautiful church ediice in country or
city; and to witness the congregation and the
Sabbath school flow into it on the holy Sab
bath to worship the Lord their Maker.
And it is for this reason l am here to-day
to participate in the laying of this corner
stone, which standing for the church struct-
ure that is to occupy this foundation, sym
bolizes all that have represented, because,
as before said, it symbolizes Christ the CHIEF
corner stone. 1t stands for all that is divine
and beautiful in Christ; for faith in God as
our loving Father, and for our hope of heav-
en-, "sure and steadiast.p 1t stands for i'm
partial justice, universal benevolenee and d.
vine charity. 1t symbolizes all the good prin-
ciples in morals and ethics known in the
world, for all are embraced in Christ.
There is much that Is beautiful, taught and
enforced by the order OF men who are with
us today to engage in these exercises--as
there Is in other similar institutions Oreaniz-
ed for the aid, improvement and happiness of
man; but there is nothing. brethren, which is
not included IN the demands and spirit of
Christianity. That is the Rock on which all
is based. 1t embraces all men as brethren.
1t would labor for all In love and good will.
Itwould have charity for all,-bless all. This
corner stone, therefore, stands for union
among the brotherhood, and WniuersaI good
,ciu. This is the genius and spirit OF Chris
tianity; for while it allows diversity of belief,
for the reason that God never made us all TO
see and think and believe precisely alike, yet
it embraces all in the unity of the spirit-the
spirit of love which we are called upon to
preserve in the "bonds of peace" We can
advocate and sustain our own peculiar views
which is our duty, but do it in love.
Luther, Calvin, Wesley, John Knox, Ann
Lee, Swedenborg, Murray, Ballou, Charming,
all taught in the name of Chlist,-all enter
tained more or less of bis truth and his spirit;
all occupied more or less OF the Rock upon
which they built. In this city there Is diver
sity of belief according to the structure OF
mind and popularity Of thought and educa-
tion, and yet IL the several sects are Christian
IN spirit, they are all one in Christ. for there
is but one baptism of the spirit; and hence
we should labor together, in one spirit of
brotherly love for the upbuilding and promo
tion Of Christs Kingdom on the earth.
The corner stone we lay to-day, therefore,
symbolizes no hostility to other congregations
in this city. This edItice is not to be erected
krrf
would occupy it, would labor in harmony
and good fellowship with others for the pro-
motion Of every good word and work, IL they
will permit us. Our sect has another place
of worship in this city, but that, as spacious
as it is, is insufficient to accommodate all
--hn delight in our form OF faith. Hence the
erection ef this structure which takes the
f,ase Af the one swept away in the great con-
t;s,, chnrcbss deStsoyed so many other beau
that all others with one eesSe e2er To-Day 10 know
and that those who suffered so terribly ypNalls, III,
restored to their homes, and the worship of
God in the spirit of their own faith.
And now in conclusion our prayer to God
from whom all blessings come as this corner
stone assumes its position Ia this foundation,
is, that this society OF Christians-Sabbath
school=all who have an interest in their sue
cess and worship with them, may work to-
gether in unity; may cherish the spirit of
Christ lovingly in their hearts; may be true
to the demands of their faith, and with self
sacrificing zeal and all hope of success, go
forward in the completion of the work on
which they have entered. If they will do
this, Gods blessing will attend their efforts,
and they will see the temple in which their
hearts shall delight fully completed, and the
ings, GRACE, GRACE UNTO IT" -, slA