The Portland daily press., 1878-02-11
The Revival Meetings.

The severe storm of last evening doubtless
deferred many from attending the revival SER
vice at High street church. but in spite of the
uniavoring auspices, the body of the church
was comfortably filled. The meeting was
opened by the singing of hymn No. 81, 'Fresh
from the Throne of Glory, "iand No. 46, ''Closs
to Thee" Rev. Mr. Fem read selection from
the Sd chapter of the Gospel by St. Joun, and
then offered prayer supplicating for the success
of the efforts of the preacher
Mr.. Morehouse on speaking said that he
would ask the audience to turn in their Bibles
to the Sd chap. of the Gospel of John, and the
10th verse and read the passage, ''For God SO
loved the world that he gave his only begotton
son, that whatsoever believeth in him should
not perish but have everlasting lite." The
preacher here paused, and remarked, that
there was no one who had read the Bible bat
that would admit that there were many mys.
teries between its covers, and dispensational
truths that were hard to comprehend; but those
truths on which our lives depend are made so
simple and plain that none, not even the most
unlearned can miscoustrue their meaning. So.
this passage of John on which SO much de-.
ponds, is as clear as the MONDAY sun. Jesus
loved the world; he gave himself for it, and we
have but to believe on him and have everlast.
ing life.
These words were spoken to N'codemus who
bad come unto him by night to learn of him.
When Jesus spoke these words, he meant
them; for God is the same to-day, YESTERDAY
and forever" and His words are Interchangeable.
He said unto Nicodemus also, eye must be
born again." There was no need to preach
regeneration to those that were vile and who
knew that they were SHINING, not to the thief
on the cross, not to the woman of Samaria,
not to any of these, but to those clothed in
their garments of self-righteousness think
themselves in nowise in need of il. Nicode-
mus had come perhaps thinking that he would
receive praise for his good works and moral
uprightness, but Jesus showed him how utter
~ useless were these unless he had been born
be born of water and of the spirit" What did
he mean by saying that he mast be born of
water and Of the spirit? Let us turn in our
Bible to the 18th chapter of John and there we
read in the third verse that, CHOW We are clean
through the word which L have spoken unto
you;" also to the 9Th chapter of Ephesians and
the 10th verse, we read, "That he might sane
tify and cleanse it (the church. with the wash
ing OF the water of the word" thus we know
that by water he meant the word of God; so
then, to be born again we must be born of the
word of the living God and Of His spirit.
great many do not love the Saviour be-
cause that by their sins they are blinded TO his
mercy and goodness. Greater than mothers
i0ve Ior US Is that OF God, for did he not give
His only son for us? Why should not we all
be saved by this sacrifice? We have but to be-
lieve in Gods love for us and ia personal
Saviour and we are saved.
Mr.. Morehouse here referred to his early eff.
forts in the Christian work and of his enthu-
siasm and zeal in those efforts He did not see
how Christians could be SO lethergic in regard
to the saving of souls, and said we should
strive to win hearts for our Master, for one of
His commands was for laborers to work in His
vineyard.
The meeting closed with the singing of hymn
No. 81, Room for thee, and by prayer and
benediction from the Rev. Mr. McWhinuie.