The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-01-06
Week. of PRAYER.

Rev. Mr.. McWhinnie of the Free street Bap-
fist church, preached the third sermon of the
series yesterday, from the text in Acts, II, 30
"But God now commandeth all men every
where to repent" Paul is alone in Athens,
aud those who have been alone in great city
know what that means. He had been driven
out of two cities and now bereft Of his two COM
panons, he stood alone, one against whole
city-a city stepped in idolatry. weaker man
would have felt it to be of no use to try to
stem this tide. Not so with Paul. He went
to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles in
the market place, then to individuals. They
called him babber, and then took him to
Mars Hill to hear what he had to say. Think
OF the place and the audience. The seat of cul-
ture where the silver-tongued orators discussed
upon philosophy and morals. But Paul knew
he had something better than all this. And
yet see the courtesy of his address, appealing
to their popular belief to get hold of their
hearts. He tells them that they never knew of
the oneness, the personality of God, the unity
of the grace, told them all were sinners and
that God called upon them to repent. The au-
dieuce did not differ from those of our day.
There were two classes. The Stoics felt that
they were sufficient of themselves to secure
their own salvation. So many now trust to their
own power. But the Apostles words come to
both classes, and we may ask on what grounds
he based the duty of repentance. First on the
fatherhood of God. The Lord made man in
His own image, to be Gods representative, to
reflect the divine character. He not only Gre
ated man, but He endowed him with all the
powers and faculties he possesses. He sustains
US and is our constant benefactor; and if the
ingratitude of a thankless child is to human
parent sharper than a serpent's tooth, how deep
must be Gods feeling over the ingratitude of
the beings be has created, and so signally
that they might seek after Him. God never
gave man the right to sin, and in our SHINING
we endorse Adams black ingratitude. So YOU
say it is selfish for God to require that we
should seek after Him and serve Him. No,
for thus only can we live worthily of our ex-
allied nature; and what infinite loss and degra.
dation is ii to poliuto our souls by sin. THIRD
because God is near u.s. How very near is God
to those CROPPING in darkness yet desiring to
find Him! He is near us by His spirit, by His
provdences, His word, His church. By all
these God is near to us, that He may reach
out His hand to save us. We need not wait for
q revival, or for the coming of Jesus. for the
Saviour is close by us now urging us to repent
anu DC saved. fOurtn, we are called upon TO
repent because of the coming judgment There
is to be end of all these scenes, for the day is
coming when we are to reap what we have
sown. Will you all be clothed in the scarlet of
your sins. or in the white robe of Chrst's right
eousness? Think again of these solemn words
of the Apostle. Remember it is command.
God commands. He commands all to repent.
This evening there will be preaching at Free
street church. There will also be service at
this church to morrow evening