The Portland daily press., 1874-01-26

tories already achieved could assure him of
Gods willingness to grant him all needful help,
but they could assure him of no more than
this.
Let us then be instructed by his example
against such presumption on the one hand, and
to like watchfulness and diligence on the other
we, TOO, may say of ourselves that we have
6een "apprehended of Christ Jesus" To us
I ne has revealed himself as the true Messiah.
Inese are great benefits, but they are the
things which are now behind" We must not
rest in passive reliance upon then, but press on
to the "things which are before" Past mer-
cies vouchsafed us should be Incentives to flu
ture diligence We may be conscious without
self-deception of certain victories over self al
ready achieved and certain progress already
made. These should incite us to larger under
takings for the holy cause in which We are en-
listed, but we should attribute to them no high
er significance. Pau paused not to contem-
plate his present spiritual attachments. Let
us be admonished by his example and follow on
in his footsteps, forgetting the things which
are behind and reaching forward to those which
are before.
In conclusion, the preacher said that he would
especially and first of all, take these lessons
home to himself. This festival marked the
seventh anniversary of his conservation to the
Office of Bishop. He then submitted himself
to the burden of cares responsibilities and la
laid upon him. The burden had not been light
er than he anticipated, but by Gods grace he
had not sunk under it. He trusted that in these
years something bad been accomplished. He
had been greatly blessed in the consderate
kindness of his people, but he should not feel
content with the little that had been done in
view of the noble work which remains to be
done. Forgetting the things which are behind,
all should press forward to the things which
are before.
INDIA STREET CHURCH.
In the absence of the pastor, the pulpit was
I'd bv 1t dof
Mr.. Leonard took his text from Rev. iii, 90
"Behold, stand at the door and knock
Mr.. Leonard first spoke of st. John as on the
Island of Patmos. AS seer he wrote to the
seven churches in Asia. His style was that of
the Oriental poets. Some of his sentences were
high-wrought; others simple. His word to the
Laodicean Christians was: Since they were
likewarm, and boosted of needing nothing be-
cause they had become rich, they should know
they were sp ritually wretched, miserable,
poor, blind and naked. He wrote this word as
from Jesus, and as from him also added this
word: 81 counsel thee to buy of me gold tried
in the fire, that thou mayst be rich; and white
raiment that thou mayst be clothed, and that
the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and
anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou
mayest see AS many as 1 love rebuke and
chasten; be jealous, therefore, and repent. Be-
hold stand at the door and knock; if ANY
man hear my voice and open the door will
com in to him, and will sup with him, and he
with me-
In this character as friend above all others,
Jesus comes to men. He stands at every souls
door and knocks. Knocking in justice or in
yoorcv bo 10 q fr;nnd ond ho1por Az MANY
he loves he rebnkes and chastens. Speaking
loudly or in whispers through punishments,
his object is the same; he desires that his enc
mics and our own be turned out from our hearts
and that he be within our hearts the harbored
and cherished friend and guest.
Taught by him, we listen to God g knocking
at the door of our souls whenever we consider
| the motions or the sounds of the outward uni
verse. Through all the forms of nature
| through the planets, the mountains, oceans,
rivers, sunshine, rain, the growing corn, the
climbing vine. the oaks, naples, pines, lilies,
| grasses, innumerable handiworks God speaks
to us in various tones; IN tones of wisdom and
power, of love and goodness. At our door he
knocks in the thunder of the clouds and in the
murmur of the brook, in the tumult of the
storm, in the stiffness of the calm. We feel
his might IN the torrent. We find his resistless
power in the drop of dew. The iceburg is a
ponderous floating wonder from his hand. The
snowflake, silently descending from the clouds
| is as marvellous an expression as is his power
| and skill He knocks and calls to US at our
| door in the new life and the bright admonish-
| ings of spring, in the swift changes and the
| augmenting glOrieS of summer, in the Deep
minor strains, and in the golden and scarlet
decorations of autumn, and in the fierce blasts,
| in the skeleton shapes, and in the white wind
| ing sheet Of winter.
| Instructed by Jesus we listen to God knock
| ing and to Gods voice at our door whenever
| we are affected by the occurring events of the
human world. Through many of these events
we receive striking evidences of the truth that
God does not withhold himself fro n the affairs
Of men and nations; that there is God who
| judgeth in the EARTH
We are quickly apprehensive of perils which
lie in certain chemical combinations. The
magazine of fort, is guarded with care. No
one OF the garrison can enter it with sword OF
bayonet at his side. or with nails in his shoes.
The ordnance officer having charge of it, walks
powder and bomb-shells in socks of wool. For
it is known that carelessness here wonld be fol-
lowed instantly by the ruin of the fort and the
death Of the garrison. Now, if we were in
this way alive in all the faculties of our minds,
in all the fibers of our hearts, to the peril which
is hidden in false ideas,and in base ignoble feel
ings toward God and toward man, we should
present good evidence of having attained
Christian wisdom and grace. In carefulness as
to outward danger, we withhold our bodies
from harm. In carefulness as to inward dan
GER we withhold our souls from harm. 1t
must not be thought that the influences of
false ideas and of base, ignoble feelings to-
ward God and man are not imminent. just as
certainly as our feet will be burned if we walk
on hot Goals, just so certainly will follow the
evil consequence of disObeying Gods moral or
spiritual laws.
We should be mindful of the ever-prssent
God, knocking at the door of our hearts; of
His perpetual offers of aid and comfort; of the
words He speaks to us; Of the help he gives us.
through the great teacher, guide and CONSIDER:
There comes no day, no hour, wherein God
does not say to us through His son, ."As many
as love, rebuke and chasten; be jealous
door and knock; if any man hear my voice and
open the door, will come in to him, and sup
with him, and he with Me- The light and
joy of heaven are not far away; they are with
in the souls of those who have welcomed God
to be the companion of their own thoughts;
who have made room and entertainment for
Him close to their hearts.
HIGH STREET CHURCH.
The pastor, Rey. Mr.. Fem, preached yester-
day morning, taking for his text. "a just God
and Saviour"
The preacher began BY sayi ng that there was
feeling among many as the cross of Christ
was held mp to them, that it was impossible for
Christ to die upon the cross and yet be just;
but Christ was willing sufferer. He had pow
er to lay down his life, and he had power to
take it again. Justice invades the right of
no one, but there can be no injustice to
Christ if He willingly lays down his own life.
In the INTERPRETATION of the facts of the death
of Christ, it is often claimed that it was an act
of injustice; bnt it is not SO. In no particular
can there be claimed an act of in
justice connected with the death of Christ He
submitted to it himself. He did not suffer as
punishment; he had nothing to be punished
for, but he suffered for others. No one can ex-
plain how one can be pardoned. The pardon
of transgressor is in direct opposition to JUS
tice.
C..1r s-I.A I