The Portland daily press., 1877-07-02
SUNDAY SERVICES.
FREE STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.

FREE STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
Notwithstanding the heavy fall of rain which
prevailed at the morning hour for church SER
vice, there was very good attendance at this
church, and those who were there were amply
repaid for the inconvenience they were put to
in consequence of the storm. 1t is hardly fail,
however, to suppose even that Baptist con-
gregation will be deferred from attendance on
church service in consequence of water however
copious.
Rev. James McWhnnie preached sermon
from Eph, ID chapter, 10th verse: "For we
are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
unto good works which God hath before Or
dained that we should walk in them" Though
Paul is the great theologian of the church, he
is also its greatest teacher of practical precepts
And he is the second because he is the first.
His ethics grow out of his theology, his doctri-
nal teachings are the inspiration of all Chris.
tian morals.
In the text he first sets forth the fact that
the believer is the handiwork of God God
has made him new creature in Christ Jesus.
Secondly, like all of Gods works the Christian
is formed for definite purpose. He is created
unto good works. The works of the law are
never called good. The goodness of works
depend upon the inspiring motive, the good
works unto which the believer is created are
inspired by love, and are therefore, essentially
good. The aim of the Gospel is to restore
mans life to harmony with the benevolent
plan of God, to brDg it into line with the life
if God in heaven, of Christ on earth: Though
good works therefore are not at all the ground
of the believers justification, they are the test
of his faith. Without the fruit there can be no
life.
Thirdly, God has arranged for the accom-.
plishment of His purpose. he has arranged
for it by the very disposition towards good
works which He gives to the Christian. By
the example of Jesus which the disciple is to
continually set before him, by the precepts of
the Scripture, and by the present aid of the
holy spirit. But He also prearranges the
good works themselves, through His provi-
dence in the daily opportunities which present
themselves in the family, the workshop, the
plan of business Christ by his personal 1abors
set the example to his people in every age.
There is much that cannot be delegated to or
gained effort. The best part of Christie
effort is done heart to heart, hand to hand. On
the other hand Christ has organized the
church for united effort. The opportunities of
missionary work are Gods ordained good
works. In conclusion we must walk in these.
There must be determination endeavor, exer-
principles, not on impulse. According as we
have done them or left them undone we shall
be judged at last
In the afternoon the ordinance of the Lords
supper was observed. In place of the usual
sermon the pastor read the 18th chap. of Mark
and from it addressed specially the twenty
four persons who were to receive the hand of
church fellowship.
At the close of his remarks extemporaneous-
ly given, the pastor taking each by the hand,
addressed words of welcome, counsel and en-
couragement to each, being specially fortunate
in choice of words fitted to the peculiar cir
cumstances and conditions of life under which
the persons addressed were placed. Sixty
eight persons have been received into this
church by baptism since the first of March
last
In the evening the usual missionary concert
was held in the vestry of the church, on which
occasion the pastor and others gave very in
teresting account of the meetings of the de-
nomination held the past week at Thomaston.