The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-06-23
SUNDAY SERVICES.
STATE STREET.

ed that the scene at Damascus was the key
note to his whole life. His conversion changed
his whole being, even his name. Pauls minis
try was especially characterized by three things
namely: activity, boldness and dignity. lie
was active because he saw so much to do IN 'ne
service he had undertaken, and his "noIe
great soul was reused with enthusiasm ie
was bold because he saw the great 'hinsS oou
was able to do and to assist MN 10 uo' anu
how little sin could avail against him in the
long RIM.
His ministry was a dignifed one, because he
was very sensitive for the glory of the Master:
He was ready to suffer stripes and imprison-
ment as Paul, but when the houor of Christ
was at stake, he would not break out of Jail or
be quietly withdrawn, bu insisted upon having
his conduct publicly justified.
Its evident too that Paul thoroughly under
stood his work, that he knew the requirements
of his Master and that he appreciated the inn
portance of his mission. We find him re-
ferring to the work of Christ, as 'the glorious
gospel of the gracious Lord
A nature deepened by Gods grace was what
made Paul's life significant. We have our har-
bors dredged and dug out that the deep keeled
ships may reach the shores. So we should have
our hearts'and minds deepened that the freights
of Gods grace may be unladen in large stores
into our lives.
NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.
Rev. Mr.. Hayden preached his first sermon
since his return, at the New Jerusalem church
yesterday morning, taking as his text Mark iv;
26. 27, the parable of the sower. His discourse
fLo &c
forces in the achievement of results. There
are two extremes, said the speaker; one is that
of waiting with folded arms for the manifesto
ton of Gods grace and power, the other is
that of attempting to achieve all by ones own
powers, unaided by divine assistance. The
golden mean lies between these two extremes.
Man prepares the soil and plants the seed, but
God gives the vegetative soul and sends the
rain and the sunlight to nourish it, The speak
er then commented upon the limitation of our
knowledge. We know that the seed shapes it
self into the fruit, but we know not how nor
why. The sermon was one of much power,
Astounding in great wealth of illustra ton,
and delivered with even more than usual fer
vor.
At the Sabbath School Mr.. Hayden gave a
brief account of the General Convention at
Cincinnati, from which he has just returned.
Statistics show that the church throughout the
country has increased in numbers and influence
during the last year with greater rapidity than
during any previous year. He spoke in high
terms of Urbana University, Ohio, which is
fast becoming national UNCONVENTIONAL col
lege. He said it was almost Maine institu-
Raw md MOcas of
Bath, being its leading officers, and many of
its teachers being Maine men.
FIRST PARISH.
Rev. Mr. Buck exchanged with Rev. DR.. Hill
yesterday morning, and preached a powerful
discourse at the First Parish church, selecting
as his text, Math. XVI-3, ''the sigus of the
times" He spoke of the recent sermon by
Beecher in which he advocated the doctrine of
final restoration, and of the succeeding SER
mon, so different in character, delivered at the
same church by Murray. In the discourse of
MI. Beecher the speaker saw the signs of the
times. 1t was an evidence that the days of
rigid adherence to the dead words of creeds were
passing by, never to return any more. A spirit
of broader charity was manifest, and henceforth
man will be judged by the spirit within him
duu TIC lIul1 VI WOThS, IdtutT ludu ny
the creed which he holds. The speaker dwelt
upon the doctrine of final restoration as proba-
BILE, pleasing and consonant with our ideas of
the goodness of God He took occasion to
speak in deprecatory terms of the Church
Herald article on John Stuart Mill
INDIA STREET UNIvERsALIsT.
Yesterday morning, large congregation was
in attendance The services were conducted by
the Pastor, Rev. Geo. w. Bicknell, who took
for the text of his discourse, the words found
in Gen. 3; 8, Sand Adam and his wife hid
themselves amongst the trees in the garden"
Adam commenced life in purity. He trans
crossed. His conscience became aroused. He
thought to hide from the warning voice. The
result exhibited the folly of attempting to es-
cape the consequences of transgression. Yet
thousands attempt the same experiment They
fail and always will fail The preacher went
on in pointed manner to show how men per-
nit their consciences to exert an influence in
such directions but restrain them in others.
He did not believe in having special consciences.
Its full power should be exerted everywhere.
He spoke in plain terms of the baneful influ-
ence attending the sentiment too often in bust
ness, that you must gain the dollar anyway.
Fraud was fraud everywhere, and the man who
INDUCED therein, like Adam, would desire to
hide himself Business must never swing
away from honest, upright dealings. Allusion
was also made to the political conscience
its trickery reviewed. Men might be honest
everywhere else, but they deemed all fair in
politics. This doctrine was earnestly combat
ted The demands of the age are for honora-
ble,s straightforward, able men. The victory of
principle should alone be regarded. 1t is this
sentiment that all is fair in politics, which
leads to results so often disgraceful, and the
chief manipulators may see the time when they
will gladly hide themselves, even as some
ought to do to-day.
He did not believe conscience was satisfied in
religion where are simply understood the arti-
cles of creed-or was scrupuously exact in all
outward ceremonies. He did not believe in
that semblance of religion which asked Gods
blessing ON the poor, aud then gave them
shirts to make alta sixpence apiece,-nor that
which prayed for the heather in foreign lands,
and kept our own heather out of our churches
by high pew taxes. When conscience really
gains its power-all such will seek to hide
when goodness, and truth and Christ pass by.
Conscience must never be denied. We want it
full and clear-should so live that under no cir
cumstances shall we desire to conceal ourselves
or our acts. Keep conscience clear in business,
politics and religion. God speaks to us through
it when we err. Always listen to the voice
We shall never seek to hide, when God calls us,
when our oonsciences..are clear, but we shall be
prepared to rest in the everlasting arms trust
ing and happy as a child folded in it's parents
embrace
FREE STREET CHURCH.
The pastor, Rev. DIR. Small, was absent yes
terday, and his pulpit was supplied by Rev. Mr..
Estes of Paris Hill. Mr.. Estes preached fine
discourse from Rev. X: 1, q The subject was
very interesting. The cloud that was spoken of
was explained as being symbol of mystery,
the rainbow as promise, the open book as
revealmeDt of the promise. The Bible is as
full of concealments as it is of revelations
God shows His power just as much in the con-
cealment as in the revelation.
CATHEDRAL OF THE CONCEPTION.
Bishop Bacon delivered sermon at the