The Portland daily press., 1874-07-13
SUNDAY SERVICES.
CONGRESS SQUARE CHURCH.

| SN1'VfNESS S&OhhL NiChNShs
The morning services at the Congress Square
Universalist Church, yesterday, were of an un
| usually interesting character, it being thu
'Childrep's Sunday annually observed by The
society The pulpit aud platform were beaut
| fully decorated with evergreen and flowers. In
front of the desk was fountain, throwing tiny
streams, coveredwith running vines and flowers
! On the platform above the fountain we re very
large vases and baskets filled with flowers
of every hue and description, while over all was
an immense arch, bearing the motto 'Come
| urto me-" Suspended from the center of the
arch, was beautiful white done, while a deli
cate finish to the whole was given by fine
evergreen dropping down to both sides of the
| chancel
The children of the Sunday school connected
with the church, occupied the pews in the
| centre of the auditorium. The morning services
opened with the song ave shall sit at Jesus
| feet" which was followed by scripture reading
| and prayers by the pastor, Rev. VIM. E. Gibbs
These as well as all the other songs were rem
| dered with charm which only the voices of
| children can give.
Previous to the christening services, the
| pastor made few remarks, expressing his re-
greet at the inclemency of the weather, and
congratulating the church on the large attend
ance. He said it was no insignificant ceremony
that was to be celebrated about this altar. 1t
meant dedication of the children to the service
of God. and that the dearest offering of the
human heart is given TO its Maker in the con
secration of these little ones In concluding
Mr.. Gibbs spoke of the importance of early
Christian nstruction,as a means of making the
lives of our children blessed to themselves and
all about them.
At the conclusion of the remarks some fifteen
or twenty little children, were brought by their
parents to the altar, and presented to the
pastor, who performed the impressive christen-
ing ceremonies, at the conclusion placing in
each little hand lose bud. This was followed
by the song "He loves the little Ones"
The sermon to the children was founded on
the text, keep thy heart with all diligence,
for out of it are the issues of life" In opening
his remarks Mr. Gibbs spoke of the important
place occupied by children in the Christian
church, and of the especial significance of the
morning service. While this Sunday was known
as the children's day, he did not wish it to be
understood as being in any way the only day
devoted to them, as all the services throughout
the year were adapted to them and should be
attended by them. Iu referring to the objection
urged by parents and others that children could
not undo rstand the services of Sunday, the
speaker argued that not only were children
more impressed than adults by religious obser-
vance, but they also impaired to their elders
much of the teaching which they received at
regular services of the sanctuary. All Sundays
are therefore for children, and we all want you
to feel that you are always welcome here. The
Lords prayer is full of little words, still how
full of meaning. Children have something to
do as well as grown persons. The speaker ex-
tolled the dury of encouraging the growth of a
good disposition, and spoke of the Importance
of Sunday Schools, as Dstructing youth in the
seed-sowng time. Whatsoever man doeth,
that shall he also reap, aud every one must ex-
pect to bear fruit, either good or evil. The
Sunday School is felt as a necessity in helping
to crush out bad habits, and form good ones.
The services closed with the song LEAD us, o
Shepherd true" and the benediction.
The evening services commenced with the
song Jerusalem the Golden" followed by the
opening service which consisted of readings by
the superintendent and responses by children,
with prayer in unison. The report of the super
intendent, Mr.. Freedom Nash, was read, show
ing the school to be in very prosperous con-
0tion, the whole number connected with it
being 275; officers q; teachers 81; scholars 24l;
the average attendance 204. The total receipts
for the year have been $521 "a; expenditures,
$780,. %; leaving balance on hand of $16959.