Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-11-13
Sunday Services.
We give below brief abstracts OF the discourses
delivered In the several Montpelier churches last
Sunday morning:

delivered In the several Montpelier churches last
Sunday morning:
AT BETHANY CHURCH.
Rev Mr. Hincks preached from John xvi: s.
"And Of judgment" His subject was "The
work of the Holy Spirit in convincing the world
Of judgment" his sermon being the third of a
series upon the Offices Of the Holy Spirit. In the
light Of certain explanations the declaration that
the Holy Spirit will convince the world of judg-
ment declared to mean that the Spirit will con-
vince the world that Jesus Christ, in the name Of
the Father, has pronounced n condemnatory SEN
tence against the reign Of Satan over the human
race This conviction is necessary TO the COM
plete regeneration Of the soul, else we should be
careless of evil In ourselves and Indifferent to 1t
In others. II we conscious that sin Is condemned
by him whom we acknowledge as our Prince,
that consciousness will make us meet its STRINGS
within us with prompt and ready hostility. If we
are conscious that sin Is condemned by our Prince
we shall, as his loyal subjects, fight against 1t
everywhere as good soldiers Of him whose allegi-
ance we profess. II we are conscious that sin is
condemned by our Prince, speaking with the an
failing voice of divine judgment, we shall fight ~
those who know their victory is sure and that
their efforts are bringing nearer contamination
which will cause the arches OF heaven to ring
with victorious psalms and with hallelujahs OF
glory.
AT ST. AUGUsTINE's CHURCH.
Rev. Father Savoie spoke concerning Immod-
esty talking rs his text, BE not deceived
neither forncators, nor adulterers nor the effem-
inate shall possess the kingdom OF God" l. Co.
rinthans vi: $40 That we may conceive more
hatred for immodesty in general, and be more
effectuay deferred from it, let us consider first,
what grevous sin it is in itself; second what are
its usual consequences; third how fearfully con-
tagious and general 1t proves to be.
lmmodesty is fearful sin. 1t il a direct in
suit to God, our Maker, whose image it profanes
a direct insult to God, our Redeemer, whose suf-
ferings for the redemption of souls are thereby
deprived OF their effects; direct insult to God,
our Sanctfer, whose graces and merciful pro-
visions are rejected. Moreover, immodesty i'm
plies a free and willing remuneration of human
dignity, with view to sharing the privileges of
dumb beasts. Is it not great crime?
Immodesty is fearful in its consequences. Being
great sin, it must be visited with great punish
ment The Bible testifies that it is so, and | have
abundantly quoted it Tor you in a preceding dis
course But now let us speak OF actual visible
and general consequences. Immodesty leaves in
its victims the actual consciousness OF having
been guilty Of mean action, gradually destroys
all sense Of honor, duty, self-ove, personal inter-
est, even intelligence and life. II whole villages,
cities, nations, become guilty Of the same crime,
they readily experience the same effects.
Immodesty is fearfuly contagious and general.
Let those who mix freely with society testify to
and say what they know. How, then, does it be-
come 10 prevalent, notwithstanding its abomin-
able nature? BY bad books so freely scattered
throughout our country; by bad companions and
associates; blindness of parents to the associa-
tons Of their children and finally the lack OF the
fear Of God. II in the time of fear and tempta-
tion you fail to do your duty, do not call your
selves Christians. You must fly from the occasion
and temptation
AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH
the subject of the sermon WAS The strength of
Messah's kingdom" and Mr. Rogers spoke from
Zech. K: A." Out OF him came forth the corner,
out Of him the nail, out OF him the battle bow,
out OF him every oppressor together" The
weapons OF the kingdom OF the Messiah are not
carnal. Its defences are moral defences -argu-
ments and facts which are presented to the mind,
and win the heart. This kingdom is widespread.
Can it hold Its ground9 1t is not too much to be-
lieve that II the abolition of Christianity depended
on the vote OF those in Christian lands who do
not profess adherence to its Founder, it would
be safe and abiding Men of the world know too
well what it has done, and are not willing To
spare It, They want 1t for their children, II not
for themselves They believe in Christian enter
prises. Men see that the principles of the Chris
tian religion are the foundation Of right moral
character, and of right conduct. The impression
also is widespread that pure and active Chris
tianity is conducive to good morals in commu.
nifty, and that the absence of Christian privileges
gives place for the rank growth Of all social evils
The preacher OF the gospel Is a preacher
OF morality The kingdom OF Christ is
a kingdom of righteousness, and men to retain
citizenship therein must strive with all theii
power to do right. The true citizens of this king
dom seek to naturalize others. It has been an
aggressive kingdom and carried its conquests t.
the remote corner OF the earth.
The future ruler OF Judah was to be as the nail
and AS the cramp-ron, binding the walls of tn,
structure together and making them solid. These
represent the accommodating and conservative
forces of Messiah's kingdom-both OF them ele
ments OF strength and permanency. Every good
thing is welcomed, sought for and utilized by
Christianity 1t avails itself of civil society anC
civil government to accomplish its purposes. Wa
and the dissolution OF society are its greatest foes
Commerce and trade likewise minister to the pro
gress Of the Redeemer's kingdom. Poetry an,
music also contributes largely to it, This king
dom is also conservative-this power is abun
dainty exemplifed in social life and national his
tory. This same conservative spirit is beinl
wrought into society and civil government, ant
the effect will be the more apparent ever
Christian strives to possess this spirit more ant
more perfectly In his own life
Gods government over men is in perfect &C
| cord with their natures. A ruler must be in sym