The Portland daily press., 1873-06-30
sUNDAi SERVICES.
CONGRESS SQUARE CHURCH.

CONGRESS SQUARE CHURCH.
Yesterday being the anniversary of the First
UniAersalist Sunday School, the morning -and
evening service was by general DESIRE aud con.
sent, devoted more especially to the children
The church was beautifully decorated, and pre-
scented the usual elegant appearance. On the
recess back of the altar, in a neat design, were
the words, "Suffer little children to come unto
me-" Suspended from the point of the arch,
was an elegant crown, composed of roses,
while on each side of the crown and a little be-
low, were choice baskets of the rarest how-
ers and vines. In front of the altar was an
egant Tyre, composed of roses and otne-
fvl flowers, with smilax droopins
,;ao a. a. roooss oround the altar were four
;n,n,o,sa ,,asos If flowers of every description,
Ill, ,,oses dishes and bouquets abonnd
al ~, o,orv hand, The crowning feature of the
a,ro1 disnIay was two massive urns composed
Of evergreen, some five feet in length, each
boldips magnificent bouquet, which were
placed on the wall outside of the arch, and
gave proper finish to the whole. Tie COM
munion table was covered with solid mass of
roses, and the SACRED edifce was filled with the
redolent perfume from the flowers. The morn
ing exercises began with voluntary, followed
by hymn, "Again the loud thanksgiving"
Scripture reading ard prayer by the pastor, af-
terwhch was sung Guardian Angels" This
was followed by the christening service, and
about dozen little ones were prese nted at the
font for baptism. Each little one in turn, was
presented with bouquet by the pastor, and the
scene about the altar with the floral decora-
tions, the bright faces of the children and their
beautiful dresses was very attractive, and
scarcely one of them brought forward failed of
making a pleasant impression upon those
around, by some little chiidlike action The
sermon. which was addressed especially to the
children, was founded on Luke Ill 40 :52-"And
the child grew and waXed strong in spirit fill
ed with wisdom; and the grace of God was up
on him." And Jesus increased in wisdom
and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Referring to the birth and childhood of Jesus
Christ he spoke of the humility conveyed in
the lesson, and that the mere birth Of a little
child of humble parents at Bethlehem, had
done more for the world than anything that
had happened SINCE Even little child can
do some of Gods best works; initiate then his
example, study the lessons they teach. Chill
dren cannot too carefully prepare themselves
for manhood and womanhood say to your
selve, always God is here. Although he may not
come to you as parents or pastor, still he speaks
in words of love and bids you be affectiona1e
and Obedient. Cultivate the best that is within
you; troubles will come to yon as they do to
all, for even childhood is not all sunshine We
must watch over our lives and learn from
Christ how he grew in favor with God and
man" God comes to us in the little child's
heart, just as the sun and warmth comes to the
flowers, opening them into greater beauty. If
we would show the goodness that is in us, we
must take into our daily life Christ's teachings
He hoped that while young they would think
seriously about the Importance of what might
seem but trif1ing errors, and by epiug close
watch over themselves avoid the grave results
which follow the first sorrowful act. He
thought when Jesus said "suffer little children
to come unto him." it was intended DIS COM
mand with promise to all who have the care
of outh, through obedient service through
pure example and love of God, should we all
again be with Christ. Then in fidelity, sancti-
fly your place in life by acting well your part
Last evening a Sunday School concert took
place at Congress Square church The exer-
cises consisted OF singing, addresses, reports,
&c. George Trefethen, Esq, Superintendent,
read his report, by which the school appears to
be in a very prosperous condition. Average
number of scholars registered for the gear 269.
The amount received during the year from all
sources, $407 76; balance from last year. 1927
the expenses for the same period, $407. 10 leav-
ing balance on hand $3.50. Following the re
port came very pleasing address by Mr.. G. S.
Fobes, in which he explained 10 the children
the two great questions. How to be good and
how to love thy neighbor as thyself. After
the address the beautiful allegory, Decorating
the Altar" was presented, in which twenty of
the scholars took part. The first five repre-
scented the cross or faith, the next five the an
Choir or hope, the third five the heart or chart
ty, while the last five presented the crown-a
fit emblem as embracing all the others, Faith,
Hope and Charity, by righteousness. Each
emblem was passed from one scholar to another
with appropriate remarks, and then placed up
on the altar. The piece ended by singing the
Lords prayer in Concert Rev. Mr.. Gibbs then
made few remarks, which was followed by
the hymn, "Good Night" and closed with
benedction.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Rev. DR.. Smaller, the pastor, preached yester
day afternoon to a large and attentive aunt
ence, from Acts vi, 31-"Believe in the Lord
Jesus Christ ana thou shalt be saved" In
these words we have an answer to one of the
most important questions ever proposed. 1t
was direct, personal and involved the profound
est interest that pertains to man. One thing
was necessary to be done at once, and that was
to believe. What is it to believe in Jesus
Christ? When the iailor so earnestly asked
what he must do to be saved, he was told to
belve in the Lord Jesus Christ. Il was belief
of specific character, faith as to its object and
its exercise. And it is this kind of faith that L
wish to describe. Believe in Christ, believe IN
to salvation aud thou shalt be saved. Believe
that Christ is both able and willing to save;
At,nth sC tho ,kG ,-
ances of the word of God One of the chief
difficulties that we have is that we admit the
truth, perhaps, that he is able to save ordinary
sinners, and willing to save them but we do
not perceive it i'll our own case. Our sins look
so great that we are tempted to doubt his
ability to save. We must believe that he is
able and willing to save noo0 and just as we
are. There is a tendency as we have an idea
of our our snfulness, to indulge the feeling that
we are unfit to come just now, just as we are
his mercies alone for salvation. He will be to
US a whole Saviour or no Saviour. The honor
and glory of such work lie divides with no
other, and when we are ready to renounce every
thing else and trust him to do all, then there is
hope The sinner must lay hold of Christ
trusting him, not waiting until he is better, but
dong 1t at once. This is what is meant by be-
lievng in the Lord Jesus Christ.
NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.
Rev. W. B. Hayden preached yesterday morn
ing, very able, logical and eloquent discourse
on the subject of Miracles, taking as his text
the feeding of the multitude by few loayes
and fishes He started with the proposition
that many at this day find it difficult to believe
in Miracles. V
But why should this be so? All nature, when
rightly viewed, is nothing but constant mira
Gle. Not single natural phenomenon can pro-
duce itself. every one presupposes an invisible,
supernatural cause.
Nothing recorded in Scripture is more won
derful than the structure of the human hand,
or the springing of the gigantic oak from the
tiny acorn, or the telegraph wire. The micro
scope and the telescope are all the time discos-
ing new wonders, and science is discovering
new laws. When rightly understood, miracles
will be found to have their law and to belong
to the great systematic order which Divine
Wisdom has ordained The wonderful things
in the Gospel are mirror in which we may see
ourselves. The outward miracle is the sign OF
an inward working of the spirit. The Lord
gives spiritual food, as He fed the hungry null
titudes with visible bread. If we would receive
this bread we must do as the disciples did;
make use of our own stores to feed others. If
we make use of what limited faculties we have
in the service of the Lords king 1om we shall
be fed. Our faculties for good work will in
.DI.,l ,,r,u r.