The Portland daily press., 1872-03-11

er, for their trouble in SO doing.
At st. Lukes Cathedral, in the morning
Bishop Nicely delivered sound, practical ser
mon, replete with eloquence and power, on the
| proper observance of the Lenten season and
the duties to which it calls. The text was
taken from Isaiah So: 6, and 8,
| SIS not this the fast that / have chosen? to
| loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the
| heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free
| and that We break the yoke" Is it not to deal
| thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring
the poor that are cast out to thy house? when
thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and
| that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh
| Then shall thy light break forth as the morn
ing, and thine health shall spring forth speedi-
ly; and thy righteousness shall go before thee
the glory of God shall be thy reward"
Commencing with the assertion that all the
observances of this holy season, to be of any
avail in the sight of God, must come from the
heart, and not be the mere formal offerings and
sacrifices of the hypocrite or dissembler, the
Bishop proceeded to mention some of the more
prominent duties to which the season of Lent
should so earnestly inspire us. Among these,
were named repentance, prayer, humility, fast
ing and mercy, each of which virtues should be
earnestly cultivated and practiced during the
present reason, as at all periods of the Christian
life. The chief objects of the Lenten season
are to seek and obtain deeper specification
and more powerful influence of the spirit of
the Master, and to express that sanctification
and the renewal of the Baptismal vows in a
more earnest and active work for the glory of
God and the spread of his kingdom upon the
earth. And this should be expressed first and
foremost in the corporal works of mercy, or in
seeking to alleviate the temporal sufferings and
misery of our fellow creatures Christ, to be
received by the great mass of men, must be
seen in the market place during the six days Of
the week, and not merely be preached from the
pulpit on the seventh. In other words, the
life and spirit of the Saviour should be so re-
Elected in works of charity love and mercy to
the poor and needy, by his professed followers
and disciples, that all the world may see and
feel the vital power and glory of that religion
in which we rejoice. To attain this happy re-
suit, should be the great aim and object of our
prayers, sacrifices and fasting at this holy sea-
sen, and in so doing, we shall all be doubly
blessed. First, in the satisfaction which every
good deed must inevitably bring, and also in
the knowledge that we have fulfilled the di-
vine commandment, 'Inasmuch as We have
done it unto the least of these my brethren, We
have done it unto me-" This is the religion
we all need, and which if faithfully practiced
will ensure US an entrance at last, into that in
heritance of glory, prepared for the righteous
from the foundation of the world"
At the Advent Christian Church, Union
Hall, Elder John Couch of Chelsea, Mass, the
distinguished speaker on Prophecy, delivered
an earnest and powerful discourse in the after
noon, taking for his text, st. Luke 21:31 and
80, So likewise We, when We see these things
come to pass, know We that the kingdom of
God is nigh at hand. Verify 1 say unto you,
that this generation shall not pass away, till all
be fulfilled
The discourse, although containing nothing
essentially new, was yet an unusually able and
attractive presentation of the argument in fa-
vor of the immediate personal coming of
Christ, and the consequent destruction of the
world supported by many illustrations drawn
from science and history. Some of the more
startling phenomena which have occurred in
past and recent times, were cited as tending to
show the fullfllment of the Prophecy relating
to the second coming of Christ. the hall was
well filled, and the speaker was listened to
with great interest,
Rev. DR.. Fiske of Bath, preached at State
Street Church morning and evening"
PORTLAND FRATERNITY.-The series of en-
tertainments under the auspices of this society
are becoming more popular with each succeed
ing week. The entertainment on Saturday
6adl y fba hast far
gave the utmost satisfaction to the large and
appreciative audience. The exercises COM
menced with spirited chorus by the Kreutzer
Club, which was given in tbs best style of this
popular organization; after which Mr.. Murray
read the touching and pathetic story by Dick
ems, 'The Death of Little Dombey," in man
ner which brought out its infinite pathos and
beauty to the full appreciation of the audience.
After another chorus by the Kreutzer's, Mr.
Murray delighted the assembly by reading a
new poem by Will NJ. Carlton, author of "Bet-
sy and are Out" entitled, 1.-THE New Church
Organ" This created roars of laughter, and
the humorous despair of the old lady who "Had
been sister good and true for five and thirty
year." in trying to accustom herself to the
music of the new organ and the new style of
singing by the choir, was wildly expressed by
the reader, and elected great applause Then
came splendid piano duet by Mrs. Allen and
Miss Millett, which was executed with the ut
most precision, skill and artistic inish and call
ed forth the warmest tokens of appreciation.
Mrs. G. NJ Cummings then favored the audi
ence with beautiful song, rendered in the
usual faultless style of this favorite vocalist,
and MIR. Will Stoskbridge followed with a song
of equal merit, both of which were heartily APP
planded-
The principal event of the evening was Mr..
Murray's rendering of Dickens powerful pen
picture, Nicholas Nickelby at the Yorkshire
School," The mingled humor and pathos of
this selection afforded an excellent opportunity
for the exercise of Mr.. Murray's talent, which
he improved to the best advantage. Gradually
he led the audience step by step, through the
successive stages of Nicholas experience at Mr..
Squeers school, showing wildly the monstrous
cruelty of that inhuman wretch towards his
feeble and helpless pupils, until at last, reused
to desperation Nicholas fells the villain Squeers
to the ground. At this point the applause was
earnest and ong-continued, as it was also at the
conclusion of the piece. The entertainment
closed with another piano duet by Mrs Allen
and Miss Millett, which was fully equal to the
first and was as well received. Another enter
tainment will be given on next Saturday even
ing.
TrYu Pur he