The Portland daily press., 1874-04-20
SUNDAY SERVICES.
FIRST PARISH CHURCH.

=
oft at Bangor during his sons absence in Eu-
rome. preached two able discourses at the First
Parish Yesterday morning and evening. The
subject in the morning was "The law of Prog
ress. or old world and new" Text ii Peter,
2-5 Sand spared not the old world"
The idea of the preacher which as ably and
forcibly presented was, that the old geological
physical, social and religious conditions or
worlds have for ages and still are undergoing
changes and acknowledgements steps in
Gods allwise and bene ficent law of progress
Infancy, manhood and old age are different
worlds, outgrowths of each other, but each a
step progressive. Notwithstanding the appar-
ent reign of wickedness and sin, corruption
and national shortcomings, the world is grow
ing better and better, and thus fulfilling the
glorious promise of God. The worst events
and phases of life come to the surface. and
they are heralded all over the world through
the enterprise of the public press. but the
millions of good deeds, noble heroism, greater
llberality sand increasing practical Christiani
ty, the glorious achievement of humble souls
who love God and men, these are not of course
proclaimed, but yet they are the rules and the
evils proclaimed are the exceptions. The il
Illustrations and applications of the reverend
preacher were very apt and beautiful
In conclusion he urged all to live life of
greater spirituality and love as children of
God and followers of Christ.
Rev Mr. Knapp will exchange next Sunday
with Rev, G. w. Buck at Park street church.
FREE STREET.
The pulpit at this church was supplied by the
Rev. Dr. S. S. Caldwell of Newton Theological
Seminary. He took his text from Hebrews,
iy; 16: ''Let us therefore come boldly unto the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help us in time of need" The
preacher began by saying that the text shows a
need, and that it presents a double fact-human
need-divine aid. We are dependent upon God
and are compelled to rely upon Him for help.
We are feeble but His ability is great 1t gives
us courage to know that when we have done all
we could, we can obtain help at the Throne of
Grace. He does not offer his help until we
have done our part, but when we have done it,
He gives us aid Thus He shows us that we
cannot do without God. To do the will of God
we need the help Of God. To resist temptation,
we need aid, not occasional but constant aid
aid from above. When all other help is cut off,
then Gods help comes If we ever do anything
in the world we must come boldly to the throne
of grace ana ask for aid. Gods time is the best
time. He knows best when we need help
Christ Strengthening us we are able to do all
things. An insuficiency of grace is worse than
none at all. He has no surplus grace, no one
ever found too much to meet his case, consider
ing all the needs of human soul. Those who
have found this grace stand in strength not
their own. Know this Almighty aid to-day
and begin to ask for it. Recognize God in your
lives: wait not for some darker time of need, for
1T Will surely come. If you wish for any bless
ing ask God for it and you will surely receive
it.
DEERING's BRIDGE SABBATH SCHOOL
Last evening was the first anniversary of the
Mission Sunday School at Deeringss Bridge
The scholars and friends of the school were de-
termined to make it an occasion to be remem-
bered. The programme provided consisted of
singing recitations and addresses. Addresses
were made by G. G. Tyler, III. S. Melcher and
others. From the report of the officers we take
the following figures Number of scholars, 90;
teachers, IS; average attendance g.; largest at
tendance 100; numoer of books in the library,
259. The report shows good amount of mis-
sionary work accomplished. A large number
were present including many of the parents Of
the scholars.
NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.
On Fast Day Rev. Mr.. Hayden preached from
ZechaIiah, vii, 5, 6. and7
There is no true fasting unless it takes hold
upon the soul, and be connected with, or lead
to righteousness or holiness of life 1t
includes not merely the denial of one single
appetite, but also the Withholding of self in
diligence in every other direction. We may
not needlessly af1ict the body for sins of the
soul; the soul must fast also, along with the
body, in order to become partakers of the rest.
full and healthful effects of the observance.
The religious significance of fasting was
then dwelt upon at length, and the preacher
went on to say
1t is true the day we observe is set apart by
civil appointment.
Our relations to the State are naturally
suggested, Our civil duties,-the obligations
we owe to the community around us form a
very important department of our lives The
State is our neighbor in the second degree
next to the church itself. Patriotism therefore
has ever been esteemed as among the foremost
of Christian virtues,-next to religion itself;
while no one can be truly religious in all re-
spects who is not at the same time truly patri-
otto.
But this virtue is not 10 be displayed alone in
times of war The times of peace require it
quite as much. The greatest dangers of the
State threaten her from within: and the COM
mon good is good which all men ought to cher
ish and Lave at heart
We can feel an interest in pnbc affairs,
when some purposed measure comes directly
athwart our own personal interests. We
rouse up then, bee ause self is touched or threat
ened.
We are bound to look out upon public affairs
from tho standpoint of the public good; and
perform our civil duties from sense of re-
ligious obligation. All the different kinds of
truth are very closely related to each other.
They are imbued with similar qualities. There
is strong family likeness prevailing among
them. They all tend towards the same princi
pies of order. The laws of civil justice; the
laws of political economy, the laws of trade
and finance, and currency, are all very closely
allied to moral and spiritual laws. They all,
indeed, spring forth out of the very bosom of
spiritual aud eternal law, and do not come by
any human enactment
Good measures, in regard to government and
in regard to trade and finance, have strong
and constant tendency not ouly to promote the
public material prosperity, but also to favor,
and BULL up and strengthen the principles of
justice, integrity, morality and virtue in the
public mind; thus laying broad and deep in the
minds of the whole community the founda-
tions upon which the Christian Church is SUBJ
| seguently to be built-whe-a contrary course
"a disregard for good financial measures-or
| for the righteous and fundamental laws of the
| social compact of communities and of trade
| and political economy-tend-as rapidly-to
| unsettle the public in regard to the fundamen-
| tai principles of right and wrong.-to sap the
| pubic virtue and integrity, and work continu-
ally in the direction OF immortality, selfish gain
| corruption disorder and decay.
| 1t does not belong to province of the pulpit
| to declare or define the public measures viii Oh
| should be advocated in the different depart.
ments of the civil service or in the various le-
gal, social and moral reforms These belong to
different order. They lie on the civil plane;
and the specific applications of law, are to be
studied and determined by adopts in each of
the several departments. Because, not onl v
general principles have to be studied in order
to wise legislation, but also, the best mode of
adapting those principles to the circumstances
prevailing around us. And these things belong
to statesmen and civilians.
The function of the pulpit is fulfilled when
the moral principles which should prevail in
| the conduct of affairs have been faithfully set
forth and declared with the obligations which
| those principles impose upon the conscience.
A certain portion of every ones time should
therefore be devoted to the collection of in for
nation aud the formation of right ideas on
social and civil affairs, with view of filling
our appointed place in the public opinion, and
performing Alright our personal duty to the
common good; -by influencing the current of
affairs, and endeavoring to promote the preva-
lence of just opinion and wholesome measures.
POLICE NoTEs.-Deputy Bridges and officer
Hanson arrested four boys yesterday for the
larceny of :, boat.