The Portland daily press., 1873-11-24
SUNDAY SERVICES.
INDIA STREET UNIvERsAL1sT CHURCH

INDIA STREET UNIvERsALIsT CHURCH.
Rev. Geo. w. Bicknell, Pastor, preached yes
terday afternoon from Ps 1910 give thanks
unto the Lord for His wonderful
works to the children of men," 1t is well in
this age of activity to have special seasons Of
praise and thanksgiving, when we shall real
ize more particularly our dependence upon the
Infinite, acd be inspired to be more grateful,
loving and obedient Such season is to be
held during the coming week; and the speaker
thought it well to consider especially the great
causes which his own denomination had fol
thanksgiving; and while its friends contem-
plated those causes, he hoped it would inspire
them to do greater work for the cause of Christ
and His gospel. He spoke first of the history
of the denomination. While he believed the
principles Of Universalism were distinctly
taught in the Gospel, and were as old as it, yet
he should speak only of the growth of the de-
nomination during the century. 1t was only a
little rising one hundred years, that Murray
first preached in this country. His laborA. met
scorn, persecution, bigotry, almost at every
point, especially among the clergy, though the
people listened with interest to the teaching.
Then there was but one liberal preacher. His
parish extended from Philadelphia to Ports
mouth. at first the growth of the denomina-
ton was slow. But soon it became power
From the year 1900 it has been constantly and
rapidly increasing. 1t has passed through the
storm of opposition only to be strengthened
and invigorated. In all parts of the country it
has churches and representatives. Its influence
is felt in almost every community, liberalzing
and softening the harsh theologies of by gone
days. To-day Partialsm uses some of the
very principles to aid forward its own cause
which were SO severely denounced century
ago because they belonged to the Universalst
church. 1t is true that we are not fellowshiped
by the so-called evangelical denominations.
But this is immateral. The speaker had no
desire for the fellowship of any body of men,
unless they were perfectly willing aud desired
the fellowship 1t is ouly question of
time. Only few years at most before
it will be, not their province to refuse, but to
solicit fellowship. He believed in strict indie
pendeDce. and would force his denomination,
views, or self upon the fellowship of no one.
He thought the persistent Misrepresentation of
the doctrine as now preached was unchrst-
ian; but the denomination is a power to-
day--and need trouble itself nothing about fell
lowslip. r-i4l ..fa.gl
the fact that the principles of Universalsm
were not confined to one denomination, but
that they were strong in almost every other.
1t is revealed in the preaching of to-day COM
pared with few years ago. We hear but little
of the doctrines of Edwards and Calvin Wrath
gives way to love, &c. Man is different being
in theology as preached now from what he was
in the theology of century ago. Preachers
may denounce progress and liberalism, but
they are unconsciously bowling to their infiu-
and tbayx l-Aov1 hair
tons, they must. And while Partialism has
changed, so has Universalism somewhat. 1t
emphasizes the doctrines of repentance, regen-
Grafton, &C. for without holiness, there can be
no happiness. He believed all religious denom-
nations were drawing nearer to the simple
teachings of Jesus; and upon those we must all
ultimately stand. What the. world needs is
more Gospel, and less apparently learned and
elaborate interpretations from the stand point
of fancy, and notion and creed. r
He claimed that the influence of the prnc-
Piles of the Universalist church made men bet
ter-elevating and ennobling thought and feel
ing-quickening souls to love and obey a
Father who had SO lavishly bestowed His love
upon his children. Given such, our hearts
should be thankful We are to be true to onr
duties, and with the pre- sent wider prospects OF
the future. we have every reason to thank God
and take courage.
FREE STREET BAPTIST.
The pastor, Rev. A., K. P. Small preached
from Heb. 1873
'Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and
(oreUer"
Remarkable description. OF whom or what
else can it be said? There may be found some
thing of age and frmness, of strength and en-
durance, but all how liable to change. Wis
dom, learning, beauty, power, how each fails
to hold the same position. The family tree
promising shade for children's children, grew
old with the fathers, and disappeared Monu-
ments are reared for perpetual memorials, but
the centuries deface and crumblp them. Those
called the eternal hills are sometimes tossed
like playthings of the ages, now standing in
sublimity. and now lost beneath the waves of
the sea. The mightiest warrior soon falls
among the weakest. After this experience of
mutablity, searching in vain for what is un-
changeable, are We not prepared to see that,
if for nothing else, he must be, of all beings
most wonderful, who is "the same yesterday,
to-day and forever?"
In what particulars?
LIST. The same glorious mystery, and the only
mystery that is glorious Not mysterious like
an impostor or juggler by concealment, but
other So examined-cross examned-scrutin-
sifed-Yet ''- - >'
I'd. Always the same central object of all
revelation. The one most clearly revealed,
The prime object of all revelation to present
Christ and in his light to present everything
essential And
Sd. Always the same essential one to meet
the most pressing demands of all souls What
ever unessential things progress may leave
behInd, the necessity forhim can never be out
grown. However satisfied in any number of
particulars, one NEST essential want of every
soul remains unprOvded for till it is met in
Christ. Yet
4th. He remains always the same annoying
stumbling block to unbelievers. He answers
EFFORTS from them confession of his excellence
yet he remains to them the same stone of
stumbling and rock of offence. But
9th. Forever the same in sovereign power for
all believers. He whose word could bring the
death bound Lazarus from the tomb can bring
sin benumbed souls from lowest depths Of con-
domination up to bounding impulses OF new life.
He is the same in his triumphal power as royal
Advocate for his people. Forever the same
successful upholder of tine divine law, the same
eternal head of the church, in his exaltatiOn as
King in Zion; and will remain forever the same
central and highest theme of the saints adora-
ton.
But hold! Is not this saying too much? OF
whom are we speaking? Is there not danger
mere OF tusome idolatry, of ascribing to him
so,Ie rlsnt or clam or eminence not his own?
Not tili tnere IS danger of putting the high
est above himself. For how unavoidable the
conclusion that alN these inspired representa-
tlons would be utterly preposterous and sacri-
ligious about one, with reference to whom. He
who sits upon the eternal throne could have
any difference or rivalry
Could you, immortal soul, risk your desti-
ny with Saviour who is anything less than this?
And if he is your Saviour does not your heart
glow with warmer alteration as you remember
what an inanlutdble Saviour he is?
o. Rejoice Christian that the Captain of YOUR
oavation still lives; and always in the same un-
changed vigor of divine mower that he con
outl,ve the ages, that you can see the same
saviour that John saw, that Stephen died for,
and with whose words Mary was charmed Re-,
Jolce that ny your connection with his service
name that shall appear above every name.
"He lives, He lives more to die
He lives, the Lord enthroned on high