The Portland daily press., 1879-02-17
PULPIT AND PLATFORM.
ST. PAUL's CHURCH.

81. PAUL ChOhCH
The Rev. Oh .rles j. Ketchum preached at
the evening service from the text 1st Kings,
xix, 10: "What doest thou here, Elijah?"
This was the question of the" still small voice
to the prophet at Horeb, the Mount of God,
so soon after ijah's mighty triumph for Je.
hovah the Lord. The grandeur of this sacred
narrative renders any attempt at alteration
audacious. We naturally expect this vindi-
Gator of his majesty to be a man who knew
no fear. But alas! the strange phase OF
Ehjah's character is show in his untmely de-
lection from his chosen course at the critical
moment. He went forth to the chosen seat OF
satan courageous, he fled from his task to the
desert, vanquished. He prayed that death
might hide his shame and sorrow, for he had
disgraced his position. Then he hears the
questioning rsbuke-"What doest thou here.
Enjah?' HIS plea that the people sought his
life briggs forth the command from God to re-
turn to his holy work aud stand on the Mount
OF Horeb. Before his wondering eyes passed
the Lord God of Hosts, and the mountains
were rent, the rocks sh AIKEN and an earthquake
and fire followed. Then came again the still
small voice, sad, reproaching, repeating the
query as yet unanswered. The practical lesson
to be CLEANED from the story of Ehjah's defec-
lion is perseverance, 10 our chosen field of la
Dor even to the end, though We see no visible
results 10 our limited years. Oar first duty is
the conservation of our talents to the services of
the Lord, and the channel of this Influence is
the church. Il is His command to labor in
my vineyard" and with the benison of the
Lord on your work, humble though that task
may be, the Thought must not discourage yon
as it did Eiijah-sI, even l only am left"
Even though the world be against you, and
you, like the prophet, quail before the mighty
hosts arrayed In oDDositiop. yet the Lord God
is with you, and will project. The work thai
today seems failure, will not be fruitless for
the servants of the Lord can never work iu
vain The seed will bear good fcuit some time
AID rebound to the glory and honor of the holy
church.
SCOTT sIDDoNs.
This evening Mrs. Scott-Siddons will give
dramatic recitals at City Hall. She is one of
the handsomest ladies on platform or stage,
aud has just returned from most successful
tour 10 Australia, and there will doubtless be
large audience to welcome her again. Tickets
may be obtained at Stockbridges music store.
We copy the following from an exchange:
There has not been SO elegant an entertain
ment in Troy for many day as the readings
DO Mrs Soott-S'ddOns last evening, and Music
I'll all never held SO large an audience. Mrs.
Siddons has lost none of her beauty ard grace
s0ce she appeared 10 this city four years ago;
indeed, her PERSONAL attractions have been im
proved ueder the soft skies of Australia, where
she has been for three years. Not only is her
b .anty frrsn-r, but she has developed greater
power of voice.
THE SEA.
Rev. A. P. Tinker lectures in the Plymouth
church course this evening. Mr.. I. is SO well
known as one of our most able and popular
preachers, that it is scarcely necessary to add
that the lecture will undoubtedly be highly
interesting and instructive. Few have
heard him 10 the pulpit bat have desired to
hear him again. His treatment of his subjects
is always original aod unique.
NOTES.
Rev. A. W. Pottle IF Bath oficiated at
Chestnut street yesterday.
Rsv. w. e. CRIBS delivered an able sermon
on "Di-cipiine," at Congress Square church
yesterday.
At the liberal meeting at Sous of Temper
ance Hall, yesterday. a discussion took pisc-
on the resolve that the Blole should not be
used in the public schools as long as Thomas
Paine's name Is left out of the school his.
tories.
Rev Mr.. Smythe preached at the New Jeru-
salem church, yesterday, on "Thy will be
Rev. W. E. Walker of New Jersey, the
preached at Newbury street ch ufch
yesterday.
A. P Lewis gives his lecture on "Rome" at
Portland next Thursday evening.
The last entertainments in the Y. M. G. A.
course will be lecture by Dr. Freuch this
evening at u O'Clock. Subject-"Hy giene."