The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-07-30
SUNDAY SERVICES.
Rev. DIR. sha;ler's Farewell serm IN.

A large audience was present to listen to the
closing sermon of Rev. DR.. Smaller, as pastor Of
the First Baptist church. The text was from
Rev. xxi: 81, "The Grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with you ALL" These are the closing
words of a servant Of God, expressive of his
deep interest in the welfare of those for whose
spiritual good he prayed. They are also fit
ting close Of the inspired volume, and they are
especially fitting closing prayer of the aged
apostle for those he loved. Let us look at the
meaning of the words. Grace signifies uude-
served favor, more than what is due to one.
The apostle prayed that those to whom he wrote
might have from God more love and favor than
they merited. But he wished that thew might
not only have grace. but the highest kind of
grace, grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
What are all earthly goods and blessings in
comparison with the wealth and favor and spir-
itual good conferred by this grace? But we
may ask who they are for whom the apostle
wished TINS grace3 Part OF the message of the
book was intended for the seven churches of
Asia Minor but this prayer was offered for the
whole church of God, for all the vast multitude
who might come after him and should read his
words. With this view, what a dignity and
glory belongs to this prayer! He knew all the
sufferngs, the sorrows, the wants incident to
men; but he desired for them something more
than relief from thesa. He looked at their spir-
itual wants, and he wished most of all that
they might receive from God that grace that
would fit them for the eternal joys of heaven.
But some may ask how these words apply to
the present occasion? 1t is becau Sc they ex-
press an important point in ones history; and
as such point has come to the speaker, it is
proper tina. he too may pray for the grace Of
God to rest upon those whom he loves and
leaves. We may not give the true history of
pastors life in collection of statistics We
must go to the many and constant labors of the
faithful minister in all its departments in order
to judge of it rightly. The true pastor record
to the circumstances under which he came. and
the earnest wish he had from the commence
ment of his work 70 promote their highest spir-
itual good. He had labored to be true and
faithful to them in all things. In joy and sor-
row, in days OF light or darkness, he had been
one with them, He had given the best part of
his life to their good, had been their friend as
well as pastor. Though God might send to them
better man and Christian and pastor, yet sure
ly. He would not send ore who loved them more
truly. But the close has come, and in this last
ho1r of my service / would remember that
another time of final review will come, and l
pray that the message of the gospel which L
you all, and that not one of this dear people
may fail at last of eternal life.
The sermon was impressive and appropriate,
and at its close Rev. DR.. Carruthers offered
fervent prayer. With this sermon closed the
pastoral labors over this church, of one who
has been greatly blessed in his work. For al |
most twenty-three years DR.. Smaller has led the |
church in their religious life and been identified
with their material and spiritual history. His
self-sacrifcing labors have been constant and |
abundant and the church owes to him large
share Of the prosperity it has enjoyed. All Ct
his many friends will earnestly wish that his
declining years may be pleasantly spent in the
city that has long been his home, and where
his religious and philanthropic labors have been
so abundant and unremitting.