Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-07-07
MAINE NEWS By TELEGRAPH.
BOWDOIN COLLEGE.
Opening Exercises of COmmenc cement
Week.

Brunswick, July G. The exercises of the
week opened with sermon before the Bow
doin Praying Circle this morning, BY Prof.
John S. Sewall of Bangor Theological Semi
nary. The following is an abstract Acts ;
q. Then Peter said silver and gold have
none but such as have give | thee. In
the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise
up and walk.
The lame bcggar crouching at the beauti-
full gate of the temple, heard and obeyed,
and was instantly cured. Neglected by the
State and overlooked by society, at las,
Christianity laid hold of him and did for him
what neither State nor society could do,-re-
stored his lost manhood and gave him health
of body and soul.
We may take this as a sample of the work
Of Christianity. The damaged and degraded
Of the race lie at every Gate Beautiful that
opens upon the highway OF human life. Com
pare the three forces that are at work upon
problem, Christianity, Society and the State,
and see what they severally accomplish Bic
First, their conception of the case is diff
ferent. In this cripple the State sees only a
fragment of the body polite, not likely to be
dangerous, but still to be watched. Society
sees an evil to be remcdied by the best and
cheapest scientific methods of philanthropy.
Christianity sees not only sufferer to be
relieved, but a soul to be saved.
Second. their motives of action with regard
to the case are different. The State only
aims to protect and preserve the common
welfare. Society aims not only to protect
but develop its interests. Christianity aims
not merely to help the needy but to develop
character.
Third, in the operations of these three
agencies very different means are employed
The State is personitied authority. Law and
force are necessary to accomplish its ends
Society builds up the community, by its
wealth, by artland education, by the appli-
ances of culture. Christianity has no occa-
sion to use law or force. While her main in
strumentslities are Divine, she endcavors to
utilize and sanctify the various agencies that
are in operation around her.
Fourth, tho results are different. The State
has all It can do, some times more than it
can do, in preserving the public order. All
the State can hope to do is to keep public or
der and give honesty and industry fair
chance. Society attempts more 1t works
for the present life and present comfort,
knowledge and gain. Christianity works in
a higher plane. The external signs of her
work are churches, chapels, Sabbath schools,
mission schools and Christian colleges indie
fatigable preachers, missionaries, Bible
readers, at home and abroad; great streams
Of benevolence and mighty hosts of the re-
formed and reclaimed. But her peculiar and
special creations are in the soul. She brings
TO bear on that the motives of religion, and
rouses to penitence and hope. Culture and
art can build the Beautiful Gate, but the
cripple begging on its threshold, only Christ
anty can lift that poor. damaged soul into
soundness and manhood and make him a
king and priest unto Cod
In the afternoon, President Chamberlain
delivered the Baccalaureate from the text.
"A mans life consistent not in the abund-
ance of the things which he possesseth."
Luke l2, Is.