The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-04-15

show.
Fast Day.
The annual Fast was observed 10 this cit
Ia the usual way and the weather was NOR
summer-like in character than it has been an
day this 81 ason. About noon an overcoat wa
burdensome, the thermometer indicating 6S
in the shade with westerly wind, but in til
afternoon the atmosphere was cooler, the win
having veered to the southwest, and in tn
evening there was brilliant display of North
crn Lights.
When we say the day was observed in tn
usual manner we mean that in the morning
small portion OF the public attended divin
service at the churches that took notice of
custom that has been handed down from GU
forefathers' time, while, throughout the day
the large majority promenaded the streets
drove out of town, visited Evergreen Gene
terry, and filled the woods in the vicinity il
search of May-flowers. The horse.cars mus
have done good business for they were filled
with people. We saw very little drunkenness
The places OF public amusement in the ever
ing were we'll patronized.
THE CHURCHES.
At the First Baptist church, Rev, DR.. Shat.
Ter, delivered an eloquent discourse on "Tbe
Glory and the Shame of Portland"
The doctor took for his text Acts 81 81. ga
citizen OF no mean city," He commenced by
saying that it was universally conceded that
as theologian st. Paul had no superior. and
as private Christian he was a worthy disci-
pie of his Master. He alluded to yarious
noble traits of his character, and the boldness
and manly courage with which he vindica.ed
bis rights as citizen. He was not ashamed
of his nation, although it was at the time un-
der subjection; he seemed to feel peculiar
pride in being citizen of Tarsus, which at
one period was a vast and powerful metropo-
lis. From these words of Paul, certain con-
alterations worthy Of notice could be dednced.
He thought that we should feel peculiar graft
fication at being citizens OF no mean city. He
alluded to the great natural advantages eff
Portland, to the beauty of the surrounding
scenery, its advantages of communication with
other cities, and the enterprise and intelli-
gence of its people. Who would have thought
after looking at the widespread desolation on
the morning after the great fire of 1866, that
such large number of beautiful buildings, as
now adorn our streets, in five short years,
would have risen ph9nix-like from their
ashes. Another great advantage of our city,
is the opportunity for intellectual ard moral
culture, afforded by cur public schools, and
the many charitable institutions of which we
rious one, and in these respects, we are citi-
zens of no mean city. But let us not delude
ourselves with the idea that we have nothing
in Portland for which to blush. 1t is la
mentable fact that one half of the children in
our city, between the ages of four ard fifteen
Is our shame that we have not a law which
wouli make it compulsory for every
child, unless prevented by sickness, to at.
tend some one of our public schools.
Another cause for shame is the dissertation of
the Sabbath. Of late years this evil has been
very alarmingly increased 1t is now tmade by
far too many, holiday and a day of leisure,
without any regard for its more sacred char
acter. In former years, it was our glory that
the day was generelly and universally lObserv-
ed and it should now be the duty of every
earnest Christian, to see that this growing evil
is speedily abated. But the browning shame Of
Portland is the fatal curse Contemporaries, be-
fore which all other evils sink into utter insig-
nificance. Our city authorities are partly to
blame for not strictly enforcing the law against
the sale of intoxicating liquors; but public SEN
timent is of necessity the chief support of all
laws, and it should be the imperative duty of
every friend of purity and happiness, to edu-
cate that public sentiment to 1.-THE standard of
full endorsement OF the law; and in this way,
and only in this way, will the fearful evil be
exterminated from our midst.
FREE STREET.
Rev. A. K. P. Small took for his text "For
bodily exercise profiteth little;" from LIST Tim
Othy, 4:8. The speaker said that our authority
for fast-days was. taken from the scriptures
That the true Christian acknowledges his in.
debtedness to gOdliness if it promotes his world
ly interests and that the authority that de-
manded extraordinary purifying rites but rea
help. through extraordinary prayer. There are
certain acts of self-denal imposed by Godi
ness. The first item of profit is in man him
SELF Successful nations were rare that wer,
not governed by the gospel. Goodness lead
men to useful honorable employment ant
makes them profitable neighbors; gives us col
leges; prevents waste. If year ago chape
had been filed with the leaderslof France ant
Germany, fasting over their plans for the com
ing year it would have been a coed thing TO
France. God evolves the largest profits from
If the ungodly made the most; but the ungodl
generally got tripped up in the end. 1t pay
to keep Sunday. Goodness is profitable no
only to this life but in the promise of the life
come.
PARADE OF THE BLUES.
Abont 2:45 P. NJ the Portland Mechani
Blues numbering some fifty muskets unde
the command of Capt. Geo. w. Parker, an
accompanied by the Portland Band, left thei
armory and proceeded through the streets i
the lower part of the city-attracting great q
tention on the route by their excellent march
ing, and attended by crowd of citizens,-t
the residence of Capt. George w. Parker O
Atlantic street, where by his invitation, ex
tended to them in few brief but cordial re
marks, nice lunch was partaken of and
brief rest enjoyed. Reforming the compan
marched through the principal avenues to tn
residence OF Mayor KiDgsbury on Oak stree
where they were drawn up in line, rank
opened and arms presented. His Homo
thanked them most heartily for the compl
of khoh n1,ln -.
they had always borne themselves and I'll
credit they were to their city, and alluded ]
| feeling terms to the resignation of 1t Penne
whose services to the comaany had been {
| constant and never ceasing. After cheers ft
the Mayor the company broke Tito platoon
and marched to the residence Of 1t. Penne
where they took leave of him with all the hOl
ors. 1t Pencil thanked them for the man
| takens of love and respect he had always r
| ceived at their bands, Of the regret with whiC
| he felt compelled to part with them, and the
fairly broke down, his feelings overcomir
him. Capt Parker then made reply in b
half of the company which, although exten
more. rose to eloquence when he spoke of tt
sorrow with which the company parted wit
Tt. Pennell. A very interesting scene occu
red here in the presentation of a splendid boz
Duet to Capt. Parker by little Miss Berry.
niece of 1t. Pencil, in graceful and touc
ing speech 1t. Pencil has been an acti
member of this organization ior twenty, s u,
wears, an unceasing worker in its behalf, al
we do not wonder that there was not dry e.
| in the company when he made his faI ewell
| dress After the exercises at LIT. Pennell u
company marched to the ArmOry and disban
| ed.
| BASE BALL.
Two interesting games of Base Ball we
Played Fast Day on the Seminary grounds
Westbrock. In the forenoon the second nil
played with picked nine of Morril's Corn
WHICH resulted in favor of the I'd nine by Il
score Oh l4 TO g. In the afternoon large boz
vi peopie from PORTLAND and vicinity assembl,
W witness NE game between the first Semin
~ nine anu tne Sebascons of Gorham. the fo
mer winning by score of II tn 10 The 60,
inarys will play with a picked nine If PortI o,
this afternoon at IL o'clock on Their arn',nJ
The first matched game of Base Ball fb;s .o
son at Cape Elizabeth took place on Fast n Se
between the Pioneers of Deering and the s' ~ a.
maker, of Portland on the grounds of the Tr
Club. There was very large attendance fr1
all around that vicinity, some 500 people bel
present The game was very closely contest
| the Pioneers being declared victorious hy
score of % to II. Thomas Macarty acted
umpire.
ADJUSTMENTS.
A crowded audience was assembled Mu
| Hall on the evening of Fast Day to with
Mr.. John Murray in his excellent perfOrmal
in the character of Rip Van Wrinkle We h'
on former occasion, given at some conside
BILE length, our opinion of Mr.. Murray's n
derips of the part and this opinion was c.
firmed and strengthened by the performal
Thursday. The best features of the perfor
ance are those scenes in which the better s
II of Rips nature become visibles, like transltt
dreams of sunshine breaking through the de
clouds of idleness and dissipation. The see
| In the first act, where with his little daugh