The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-01-04
SUNDAY SERVICES.

CHESTNUT STREET.
Yesterday afternoon, the Rev. S. L. Jones
delivered sermon from Judges VIII, 4;
''Faint, yet pursuing
Gideon with his little band had routed the
Midianites and driven them across the Jordan.
Weared with the pursuit, they stood painting
and dripping on the banks of the river But
weary as they were, and, with this natural
boundary between them and the foe, they
stopped not there. ''Gideon came to Jordan
and passed over faint, yet pursuing
This bible history, like many of the histories
of our physical life, is thickly set with aDalo-
ges of our higher life, our moral experience,
our spiritual progress. The soul grows faint
under conditions similar to those of the body.
I. Faintness is cccasioned by the length OF
the way. Aged people tell US that life seems
very short to them. So it-does no doubt in a
certain view of it, But looked at in another way,
along the line of experiences, of joys and sof-
rows, of conflicts and triumphs, OF successes
and failures, these things which make up the
sum of life, looked at along this line does ii not
seem long, long way? Some may have ad-
vanced apparently but little way in the spir-
itual life and yet they have come long dis
lance. We did not all start alike. God called
one of you from the bosom of Christian fami.
". But here is another whom God called
from q drunkards squalid home, and therefore
the drunkards boy, though far behind you to-
day. has come longer way than ynu bave come
You were early taught TO lisp Gods praise
and the new song was put INTO your mouth WIN u
the innocent prattle of childhood. But here is
one whom God called from household that
was dumb for prayer, vOiceless for praise and
Astounding in cursng and bitterness. Must NOS
his Journey have been much longer one than
yours though he is far in the rear OF you to-
toll to-day how far
each have come, than we can tell how tar we
have yet to go before we reach the journey
end. God only knows.
III. Faintness is occasioned by haste. Some
people are always in haste, eager, anxious, i'm
petuous and full.of moral Impotence. There is
nothing SO wearing as this. Such people are
constantly being baff1ed and disappointed and
cast down. for God is never in haste and we
must sacait upon him." We are to run. with
patience the race that is set before us:
I'LL Lack of nourishment occasions faint
ness Jesus feeds his flock like a shepherd.
The abundance of the Gospel is open TO us.
But if we neglect the gracious provision, the
Word of God, the church. its ordinances and
privileges public and private prayer our
souls must grow hungry and faint For all
who are thus faint in spirit the Word of the
Lord to-day is, trust in the Lord and hold on
your way. Faint yet pursuing. Pursuing
let that be the inspirational word OF the text
''The righteous shall hold on his way and he
LlaG QaIn Cledu Sudil Uo StiobSSh Civ
stronger"
INDIA STREET CHURCH.
Three persons united with the Second Uni
versalist church yesterday at the close of the
morning service. The pastor, Rev. Geo. w.
Bcknell, extended the right hand of fellowship
The services were very impressive.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
Yesterday fourteen persons united with the
Plymouth church, Rev. G. It. Dole, pastor,
eight on profession of faith and six by letter.
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS. The following
are real estate transfers recorded in this city
the past week:
Lot of land with the buildings thereupon on
Long Island from Aboa M. Drinkwater to
Sarah A. McVain. Consideration $500.
Lot of land and buildings thereon on Che
beague Island from III. Bowen to u. >. Thomp-
son. Consideration $500.
The same from B. j. Thompson to Hattie A.
Thompson for the same consideration.
Lot of land with the buildings thereon on
corners of Bramhall and Brackett streets from
G. p Mattocks, ct al to Charlotte Noyes.
Consideration $500.
One-third interest in the undivided lot OF
land and buildings thereon on corner OF Will
mot and Oxford streets from Henry Chamber
lain ct al to Mary w. Chamberlain. Consd-
Grafton not given.