Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-03-28

lie worship, with the lay delegation from this city,
were appointed to make arrangements for receiving
Sargent, and q. Haven, were appointed to request
BISHOP Simpson to allow ]. e. Bdwell, who has
been assigned to church in Pittsburg, to rem lin
member OF this conference.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.
There was very fair attendance in the afternoon
at the anniversary exercises of the Sunday school
union. large number oflittle girls of the Trinity
church Sunday school were present, and took part
in the singing In the absence of Rev. J. H.
Twombly, president of the union, the pastor called
upon Rev. C. /. McCurdy to take charge of the
meeting. Prayer was offered by Rev. T. J. Abbott,
followed by singing by the children and reading of
the Scriptures by Rev. B. X Pierce chaplain of the
house OF refuge, New York. Rev. DR.. True, agent
of the Wesleyan university, addressed the meeting
He said that person is never too old to go to the
Sunday school, and spoke of the Importance ofthe
Sunday school in extending Bible knowledge 1t is
shame for person not to be familiar with he
1glon Of the country and with the religious teach
mgs as laid down in the Bible. The speaker alluded
10 Ihe widespread ignorance OF what Is in the Bible,
and TO the Interpretations frequently heard, illus
trating his remarks by stories told in pleasant and
entertaining manner He closed BY a brief but
earnest appeal in favor of temperance, saying the
use OF wine is often followed by a craving for
stronger drinks.
Rev. Or. 7. A. Goodwin of indianapolis gave an
interesting account OF MS sunday school. II Is
called the "banner" school of the country. Nine
ty-ve per cent. Os the church members are regular
attendants of the school, The school should not be
considered as nursery of the church. but as part
of it. Children enter it an early aga and il is there
that their religious life begins AS they grow older
they continue in the Sunday school and grow up as
active members of the church. The school connect
ed with his church is not wedged in at the end of
long sermon, but has full hour and half devoted
ftin the afternoon He urged upon his brethren in
the ministry not to regard the Sunday school as of
importance IS
larry as they do to their duties in the pulpit 1t is
the very place where they specially needed, and
their presence tends to create warm sympathy be-
tween pastor and children.
After singing, Rev. John Peterson was called on.
he said tnat he was requested to speak upon the
subject, 1.-THE Sunday school affords no iustifca-
ton for the deplorable neglect of home study at
present manifest" He was very sorry that the
study of the Bible should be neglected in Christian
MONIES. The Sunday school was never designed to
take the place of home study but rather to serve
an encouragement and aid to its pupils in extend
ing their knowledge of the scriptures The Sunday
school lost only about half an hour in each week,
while the influence of home study continuous and
benefits alike both parents and children,
Rev. {. Y. McCabe, the well known army chap
lainy was the next speaker. He was received with
applause and kept the close attention of tine audi
ence both children and adults, throughout his re-
marks. He told the children about his little
whom he once lost while travelling in the cars and
OF the Joy which he felt when he was returned to
him. BE spoke feelingly OF the suspense and agony
which he felt while his boy absent from him,
from home and religious Influences. The Sunday
school IS especially designed for such boys to keep
them in the right path, and away from temptation.
Mr. McCabe then sang the song of ''The TTundle
Bed the children joining in the chorus.
At the suggestion of Rev. Mr.. High, the chaplain
narrated in a graphic manner portions of his expe-
rence while in Libby prison, telling of the ceebra-
ton of the Attn OfJnly, 1853 by the prisoners which
was broken up by the rebel authorities and OF the
JOY and gratitude which all felt at the of the
surrender of Vicksburg and the battle of Gettys-
burg, He closed by singing 1.-THE Battle Hymn of
the Republic" the entire audience joining In the
chorus.
The exercises closed with q benediction pro-
nounced by Rev. Albert Gould.
THE MISSIONARY SERMON.
The evening was devoted to the annual missiona.
ry sermon, which was delivered by Rev. Gilbert
Haven, editor of the lions Herald. The prelimi-
nary services were conducted by Rev. William But
Ter, secretary of the American foreign Christian
union. Mr.. Haven took for his text the words IAN
apostle, which are found in the first verse of the
first chapter of nearly every of Paul's epstles.
The word opposite" Is the exact equivalent for our
word missionary" The speaker drew a graphic
picture of the condition of man by nature and said
help must come from without The idea that
Christianity originates spontaneously within man
as advocated by many thinkers is false one. 1t is
from God and God alone that salvation comes. The
missionary work began at the creation of the world
and when man fell he fell into the outstretched
arms of Christ The promises and pleadings of God
with man in the garden, includes everything that
n
Christianity has steadily progressed since the time
of Christ, spreading like a great river flowing
through the different countries of the old world,
becoming muddied and full of impurities by the
formation of the church of Rome, but finally tri-
umphing over every obstacle, and it now runs free
and clear throughout the greater part of the world
The earth is not yet entirely redeemed to Christ.
Sinners exist and probably will exist to the end of
the world; but sin does not increase. He spoke of
the emigration both from Europe and
Asia which is pouring to our country. We
should not fear its coming, as Christ sends these
people to our land that we may send back the gos-
pei to the places from whence they come. He COM
batted tine idea that the influx of foreigners tended
to the impoverishment of our workingmen or to
the degradation of our institutions The system of
1unerancY praciced by the Methodist church is the
true apostolic idea. The speaker paid an eloquent
tribute to the good work done by the Methodist
church in this country, saying that the itinerant
preachers always kept we'll up with the most adj
vanced settlements IN the far west, teaching and
preaching under the most adverse circumstances.
In conclusion he urged upon all the necessity of
adapting themselves in missionary work to the
tnre of their hearers, the Apostle Paul did his
EniStIpS ph