The Portland daily press., 1872-05-24

community in which it is, and if the old church
wears forsaken wo-be-gone look within and
without and the people are well satisfied with
it, you may conclude that they are on the way
to ignorance and rudeness and will soon become
half civilized and barbarous. On the other
hand, if the house of the Lord is in a prosper
GUS condition, becoming the dwelling place of
the Most High, you may conclude that the poo
pie are prosperous and that peace, good order
and morality are common blessings. Shrewd
business men understand this and establish
their business hard by the house of God and
contribute large sums to build and support
churches, knowing that church going people
are better persons to employ than rum drinkers,
gamblers, Sabbath breakers and scoffers
2-The house of the Lord is the foster moth
err of all civilizing and enlightening agencies
and instrumentalities. In itself it is an insti-
| tuition of learning established on the broadcast
lessons of instruction adapted to all and free to
| all. 1t is superior therefore to the common
school SYSTEM which is itself the glory and safe
| ty of the country Common schools and acad-
| emies owe their very life to the fostering in
| fiuences of the house of God. New York,
| Brooklyn and Cincinnati in this country and
! France, Italy, Spain and Ireland abroad,
| show the influence of superstition, ignorance
| and sin. Poor school houses and poor meeting
| houses go together If the people love the
| house of God they will love the school house
| aid nobly sustain both.
He next referred to the Sabbath as valuable
institution and its observance as both scriptural
| and philosophic. Spending Sabbaths at home
| will lead to secular pursuits and unwarrantable
! recreation. He forcibly urged the better OBJ
| servance of the Lords day and more liberal
giving to the support of the church and gospel.
He drew a life-like picture of the mean man,
/ i'the poor mean nipping professor OF religion
/ whose chances of squeezing through the gates
| of Heaven are little if any better than the mil
| lers who sometimes took double toll or the
| Deacon's who was accustomed to commence
sanding his sugar. Even those who refuse to
sustain the gospel and are prosperous will suffer
through wicked sons and daughters, who will
| waste the wealth they have so snugly boarded.
The influence of religion upon the early
founders and leaders of the government, in
Guiding Roger Williams, Jefferson, Washing
ton and Lincoln, and the Imperative demand
for deeper religious conscentiousness was next
considered. tfh2s 90 gue
| 3.-The house of the Lord is the best of re-
formatory institutions. Its laws are just and
true, and its government is one of mercy and
clemency combined with inflexible Justice
There should be more houses for God and less
watch houses, iails and state prisons, more
faithful watchmen on the walls of Zion and
less policemen and State constables. The an
tagonism and war between the house of God
/ and all forms of sin and wickedness were
graphically portrayed, and the cessation years
since of certain rum shops in the village was
owing to the influence of the chnrch.
/ (Then followed history of the church and
description of the improvements, which we
have condensed and given in the first part of
this report. Wa N7lteA Dl-A @A1 ''+-
In conclusion he said: .s'This entire struc-
servedy dedicate to the worship of Almighty
God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit"
, OBLIGATORY ADDRESS. F.F g1.rs
The address of Rev. A. X. p. Small, of Port
land, was very appropriate and felicitous, in
spring all with glorious emotions. He referred
to the fact that the organ was obtained from
the Free street Society, and that the pulpit desk
is an exact duplicate of the present one in that
church. He remarked upon the power of sa-
| cred associations, and even the temple at Jeru-
salem in itself possessed no intrinsic charm,
but those Jewish hearts could there best wor-
ship God and be nearer to Heaven. The room
| of departed mother also is sacred. The Sab
bath and the sanctuary lifts us sometimes out
| Of ourselves into higher and purer atmosphere.
Such is the inspiration of the hour. The sight
and sound of that organ brought crowded asso-
Citations of Free street Church, Portland. The
pulpit, too, also reminded him of his own
church. Then followed a history of the struc-
ture of the organ, illustrating the growth and
proper working of a true harmonious church,
gathered faom all kinds of apparently unprom-
ising materials, each having its own place and
Importance. Want of cooperation or the alb
| sence OF misadjustment of some apparently
trivial thing would rum the whole harmony of
the organ The concordant service of song in
| Gods house with high and noble purpose,
with the congregation spontaneously joining,
/ was glorious form of worship.
The speaker then remarked that some works
needed considerable praising to help smooth
over the imperfect parts, but his scrutinizing
gaze failed to discover an unfinished nook or
corner about this gem of sanctuary. 1t is a
most delightful illustration of what is possible
by the union of hearts and hands in the SUBJ
lime enterprises of the Christian church, and ia
such a success we catch an idea of how the
Sovereign Head in due time can bring all the
discordant powers of the universe under the
harmonious control of His own loving hand.
rq5rT OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. Fffsfl TO
In the evening the church was again filled
with large congregation, and the lighting up
showed the interior off to fine advantage ,a
Previous to the evening service sacred con-
cert was given by the First Parish CUnitarian)
choir from Portland, composed, viz Mrs.
Harriet G. Wetherbee, soprano; Mrs C. S. Nor
cross, alto; Mr.. s. Thurston, tenor ION this oc-
casion); Mr.. j. L. Shaw. basso; Mrs. j. L.
Shaw, organist ION this occasion). 1t was a
rich treat, and the audience were thrilled with
glorious inspiration. 1t is rare that such beau
tiful music is heard in this village.
The evening exercises commenced at II
o'clock The music previous to the sermon was
by the Saco choir, and afterwards by the Port
land choir. The exercises were as follows:-
Anthem, ''Glory be unto the Father Read
ing of the Scriptures by Rev. J. M. Burt, pas
tor, Goth Psalm; Anthem, Beautiful are thy
towers" Prayer by Rev. A. X. p. Small, of
Portland; Chant, ''The Lords Prayer" Hymn
"a, "Shall hymns of grateful love- Sermon by
Rev, DIR. w. III. Smaller, of Portland Selection
by the Portland choir, 80 had 1 tn wings of a
dove;" Concluding Prayer by Rev. Dr. Smaller;
Chant by the Portland choir, "From the region
of a lowly spirit our humble prayer ascends p
Doxology, "Praise God from whom all bless
ings flow;'' Benedction by Rev. DR. Smaller.
}F SERMON.
The sermon was from the text, Ezra, SILL
We are all servants of the God of Heaven and
earth and build the house that was builded
these many years ago." 1, a-F
He commenced by abiding to these words
being spoken by those engaged in rebuilding
the temple at Jerusalem after their return from
Babylonian captivity. The original temple
only lasted about thirty-five years, the city be-
some 500 years the Jews were released from
bondage and returned and rebuilt the tabernacle
with godly spirit, although poor and depressed.
Their answer to questioning people is shown in
tne text. Inc pQinCS OF tne discourse suggested
by the text were: 1.-The character of the per-
sons engaged in that ancient work; 2-the work
in which they were engaged; 3-the reasons
why the servants of God generally engage in
this work. These several points were enlarged
upon and clearly and finely presented III
He alluded TO the definition of the word ser
want in its lofty and base meaning. Man by ma
ture must serve something. Serving God with
love is the highest and slavery to sin the low
est form. The religious nature of man yearns to
obey the true and living God. Amidst poverty
itself are erected costly temples, the voluntarily
offerings of even the lowliest people. The Jews
thus felt and rebuilt the temple, God being the
architect Moses had to order the contributions
to cease, so extensive were they. In after years,
becoming prosperous, they rebuilt on an en-
larged plan, the magnificent temple. Honor
and love for God should prompt us also to erect
churches The service of the Sanctuary tends
to improve the intellectual and moral nature.
Mans social nature Graves religious service
The religion of Jesus is eminently social, in
Guiding poor and rich alike in it's benefits-in
prayer, song and communion. The influence
of the church upon the world is all powerful in
lifting up souls. 1t is not pride or fanticism
but something nobler and better that prompts
the servants of God to erect these temples. He
referred to such, probably being the reasons
that moved the builders of this house to such
work. Their memories are sacred and their in
fluence still lives, and their children 'have re-
builded the house that was builded these many
years ago."
In conclusion he congratulated the church
upon their success, not a dollar of debt remain
ing. Some may remain, others go away, but