Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-12-25
Dedicatory Services.
THE NJ. E. CHURCH OF PITTsFoRD REDEDI-
GATED YESTERDAY.


tious and all that could be wished, and
nature appeared to smile benignly on the
good work. The pastor prepared a
glorious feast of good things, both
spiritual and temporal. Spiritual in
large delegation of ministers who are
real lights of the church. Temporal in
the free collation. that was spread for
all who wish to partake afterthe services
were over. Among the ministers pre-
sent we noticed Rev. w. w. Foster,
sen., Rev. w. H. Meeker, Rev. Mr..
Gregg, presiding elder, and a number of
others. The sermon was by Rev. Bishop
Wiley The Introductory exercises
were as follows:
Voluntary, by choir.
Responsive Service = Minister and
Choir
Disciplinary Service.
Hymn 969, beginning,
Not heavens wide range of hallow'd space
Jehovah's presence can conhne.
Prayer Rev o, Gregg, =. f.
Gloria Patri.
Scripture Lessons.
1st Lessen, Rev. r. T. Hall.
. Chron. vi: I, 2, 18, 81, 40, 40; vii:
/, A..
I'd Lesson, Rev. Mr.. PaImentier
Hebrews-x: 1926.
After which was delivered the
SERMON.
The text was taken from the 10th
verse of the first chapter of Romans
For am not ashamed of the gospel of
walton to every one that believeth, to the
Jew first and also to the Greek. -
It does not require a very great
amount of heroism to stand up at this
day, in this Christian country, in the
presence of a Christian congregation,
and say, l believe on the Lord Jesus
/ Christ. In the words of the text am
quoting, Paul, man Of the first centu-
ry, not of this day, was addressing his
thoughts to a Pagan city, old Rome,
and saying, Il am not ashamed, ;" etc.
Paul was one of the profoundest think
ers and best scholars Of his day. He
was one who had prosecuted the Chris
tians, had gone long journeys to punish
them and put them to death. But by
some means this violent madman be
came lamb like Christ, and now was
going about doing good, and writes tc
Rome, Il am not ashamed of the gospe
of Christ" They are the words of {
scholar and a reasoner. He had not ar
element of a fanatic or enthusiast he
was by nature skeptic, and would ac-
cept Christianity only on perfect dem
onstration of it to his mind and heart
He was an enemy, a perse
cutor, an unbelieyer, and educated
Jew, the direct opposite
of the Christian scheme which he now
endorsed 50 heartily. He had seen the
power of the adorable head, and it wa.
his power now writing to Rome. He
was now writing to Rome which was ther
in the zenith of her power and the great
est city of the world. There was gath
cred there all the learning, literature anC
philosophy of the world. In short it wa
the Metropolis Paul had not yet beer
in the city, but he comes afterwarC
under peculiar and trying circumstances
He writes to the few Christians then il
Rome and says he wishes ITO come an(
preach the gospel of Christ, of which b,
was not ashamed. Paul's centra
thought was the power of Jesus Christ
Power is a strange thing. What is it
What is this ever moving thing in u
that keeps us in motion, that strange
subtle thing? we call it power. 1t ha
been searched for in all ages of tn,
world, and scientific men are nov
searching to find out, ''what is force.
What is this thing we call power? Davi'
searched for it and reported "Lo this
have found, power belongeth unto the
0 God, and we have got no further OF
to-day in the search than had David
And what better definition can we givt
of it? Paul looks into it and sees wha
it is destined to do among men, and de
cided that it was thepower of God. Th
thought of power that goes with it is o
God. We look at the storm in all it
fury, and the power of the sea when |
rolls in great pillows, and up into tn
heavens at night, and gaze at the might,
orbs as they each roll in their set places
and we say within ourselves: Wha
power is in the storm, the waves, ant
that keeps all these planets rolling Il
in their accustomed places? 1t is tn
power of God. But the power of whicl
Paul wrote was another, it is the powe
of God over mems souls, lifting then
up into a pure life. In analyzing thi
theme we find three things. The gospe
of our Lord Jesus Christ is gloIiou
system of truth. 1t appears as if Pau
had said 81 am not ashamed to brini
this gospel as system of truth. Al
the learning of the age is concentrate
in Rome, and shall | carry this simpl
gospel and place it beside all this.
win transcend all they know. | shal
bring it to Rome, the highest of a
.. truth, and it shall throw the wisdom o
man into the shade. Rome know
nothing of God. Jupiter, Mars an
Venus she bows to as her Gods
Hercules she sets in her midst, and dar
/ bring Christ and set him besid
Hercules. am not ashamed, of tn
everlasting Father in contrast with thei
gods many and lords many. Dare | pu
my simple truth beside the learning o
Cicero, Plato and Aristotle? Dare
, bring my preaching beside these Th
general belief in Rome at that time wa
', that man dies, goes into an Oblivion
sleep which nought dispels, and tbs
! was the end, and dare Paul come i
there ? Yes. / dare to bring jest
Christ, / am not afraid sto bring m
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