The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-04-13

be in good condition or the seed is of no avail
The practice of hearing merely and not obeying
is not right.
The preacher has to bear the blame rightly
attached to the church. Public worship is a
great help to give the right direction to our
thoughts, but private devotion is the hope of
the church. Public worship makes men and
women consider themselves above admonitlon.
and give what is intended for themselves to a
neighbor who think they needs it. They wonder
how their neighbors can do such and such
things. We often laugh at the faults of others
when we are doing worse things ourselves Men
and women who are Jealous in the cause of
Christ find great help in the public service.
They know what Christianity is, and each one
takes to himself the lesson taught.
The Christian cannot do away with private
devotion. No disparagement of public worshin
is intendep for however forward no one can an.
joy it more than those who enjoy private devo-
ton most. Family devotion is more Inspiring
abused it, it is no reason wby we should do
away with 1t. Let US put life into our forms of
worship and not be afraid to make known orr
recognition OF God, however simple, let il he
sincere The hindrance is fear, the most fool
lsh of all reasons why we should not acknow,-
edge God of love.
With this state of things we should not won
der at the lack of Christianity. What we need
is prayer Nothing is more helpful to soul
In need We are tried in various ways and we
need prayers to sustain US Who would not he
stronger to pray? True prayer is always sug-
gestive OF God God pardon those who never
pray! We must pray ii we would have the oul
live. We shall not only be blessed but our
children, and those who gather at the family
circle will be blessed No better way can he
found to instruct children than to be as little
children before our Father. If this should be
done it would not be long before the interest in
Christianity would be greatly increased. Let
us pray as though we loved to talk to good
God, and not as though we would be heard of
men, What men most need is life hid with
Christ in God.
RECEPTION HALL.
The Scandlnavians in this city held religious
services at Reception Hail. City Building, yes
terday, Rev. Mr.. Jul, Danish minister from
New York, officiating. The service was that of
the German Lutheran church, and the minis
ter was attired in the customary black gown.
The text was taken from the parable of the
prodigal son, end the audience were asked if
they had not squandered that wealth of religion
which they had brought from their fathers
home. 1t was the first time since they left the
scandinavian shores that those present had lis
tened to religious services in their native
tongue, and they were deeply affected, many
breaking into sobs At the close of the services
they crowded round the PASTOR shaking him by
the hand, and expressing their thankfulness
for the words he had said Mr.Jul is a preacher
OF great power, and has done much good in es-
tablishing churches among the Scandinayians
in this country. A church is to be established
here soon.
In the afternoon three children were baptized,
their sponsors being required to avow their be-
lief in the Trinity and the divinity of Christ.
This evening another service will be held in the
same place, and the communion will be cele-
brated