The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-06-28
Childran's Sunday
Yesterday was observed as Children's Sun
day at several of the churches

Childrens Sunday.
Yesterday was observed as Children's Sun
day at several of the churches
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
At Plymouth church the pulpit was de-
corated with many baskets and bouquets of
flowers and tropical plants while three arches,
with shields beneath, were erected on which
were inscribed in floral Jefferson background
of old gold the legends 1.-THE unspeakable
Gift Jesus 'The Oliver, God," "The
Receiver, Man." An exc client sermon to the
children was preached in the morning by the
pastor, Rev. Mr.. Lathe, from the text "Thou
Gcd seest me- In the evening there was a
delightful concert at which Miss Carrie Deane
sang "Jesus lover of my SOUL" and Misses
Ada Gallison and Nellie Davis gave recita-
lions. The exercise, "The Unspeakable Gift"
by 10 misses was very pleasing. A memorial
bouquet was offered to the memory of Miss
Oracle Illsley who died during the year.
w1LLIsToN CHURCH.
WilIiston Sabbath School celebrated its
fourteenth anniversary. In front of the pulpit
an elegant arch was erected on which was in
scribed in old English the legend Solomon
rear of the arch was a beautiful floral cross
while around and about were elegant floral
offerings. The exercises consisted of an organ
voluntary, anthem by the choir. singing
"There is green hill far away" prayer, sing.
ing Saviour listen to our prayer" responses,
reading of the Scriptures, singing by the in
FAINT class, an anniversary greeting by one of
the members of the school, the duet Coward
and Upward" by Misses Hattie A. Jordan and
Carrie W. Stevens with accompaniment by
Miss Carrie M. Knight, the solo ''Not Spar
row falleth" splendidly sung by Mr.. Porteous.
a fine recitation, 1.-THE Offering" by Miss
Abbie F. Libby and Mamie A. Cobb, the
sing by the School "When the Days are Go
ing By" the beautiful exercise Consider the
ing solo by Miss Hattie F. Hill, singing by the
school and an address by the pastor, Rev. F.
E. Clark. The Superintendent's report shows
a membership of $50 with an average at
tendance of 1872. There is an increase of IS
and one death, that of Lewis New
ton. The total receipts were $4631S.
At the morning service a sermon to the
children was preached from the text in Cor.
9: 24-"So run that ye may obtain" How to
obtain the prize. Paul was preacher whom
the children would have liked to hear, be-
cause he drew his illustrations from common
life. In this case it was one of the Grecian
games, the footrace, a symbol of the Christian
race, in which all children should strive, while
the prize to be gained is the heavenly crown.
These are the rules of the race:
1st-Believe that there is prize, that it is
worth obtaining and that you can have it.
2d-Choose, make up your minds that you
will have it and this will involve laying aside
all hindering weights and keeping your eye on
the prize like the ancient racer.
3d-Strive with all your heart.
!, Strive from the beginning, all the way
through to the very end.
GOSPEL MISSION.
The second anniversary of the Gospel Mis-
sion Sunday School was duly observed last
evening. The exercises consisted of singing,
Rotations and dialogues, all well rendered,
and seemingly highly appreciated by the
hearers.
From the report of the Superintendent, S.
F. Pearson, we clip the following items of in
terest: The school now numbers 121 scholars,
a gain of 81 over last year, and a corps of ID
deeply interested teachers. The organization
is now thoroughly provided for in all its appoint
ments, and is in very thriving condition.
The receipts for the year are $S226, and
amount expended $5S.42, leaving balance of
$23.84 with all bills paid up to date.
The Ladies' Circle connected with the
school has proved strong auxiliary to its
success during the year. Fifty-fve garments
Of different kinds have been made and furnish
ID to scholars, also two full suits of mems
clothes provided, nine pairs of boots and shoes
distributed, and in some cases medicine and
for the sick furnished.
Mr.. Pearson here desires to return his sim
cere thanks to all who have donated articles
Of clothing to be made over or in any way adj
ded to the growth and prosperity of the organ
zation.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
Sunday afternoon and evening the First
Baptist Church observed the 63d anniversary of
Of their Sabbath School, In the afternoon the
pastor preached a sermon to the children from
The text in Luke 2: 49-"Wist ye not that
must be about my Fathers business"
We often see the characteristics of the man
[oreshadowed in the habits of the child.
Napoleon occupied his boyhood in placing
hosts and planning imaginary bat
Ties; and the childhood of Washington was
in the marshalling of soldiers in play
and the cultivation of that line of thought and
action which occupied his mature years. The
leading work of our after life is thus often in
Heated by the tendency of our childish
thoughts. So in the childhood of Jesus He
Ielt that he must be occupied with the work
MS Father had given him to do, and it was
his spirit that made his life noble. But we
zee, first, that Jesus recognized his obligation,
L must be about my Fathers work. Why
don't we act in this way? 1t is because that
we have had wrong direction given us in
our sinful nature. Hence we must have a
light direction given us in childhood. We
must have purpose that will help us to meet
Ind overcome temptation, the union of the
conscience with the will of God, that will keen
Is right. I'd, Look at the spirit with which
Jesus did his work. Some people do right be-
,ause they must do it, from the force Of out
t will be to their great disadvantage to do
evil. But Jesus did his work because he
owed it, as it was his Fathers work and he
owed his Father. He did his work because
God, his Father, wished him to do it. and he
A1u IL WlllinSiy au0 earnestly because he was
70 grateful to God for his goodness. 1t is true
hat God is our creator and judge but he is
.lso our Father and kind benefactor and we
should remember that he gives us eyery
blessing we have. We shall find two ad-
1antages in doing Gods work in this way. We
hall have Gods presence with us in life, as
was the case with Jesus, for he said once to
his Father, Father I know that thou nearest
ne always, for thou art ever with me-"
A gain the words of the text are the first
accorded words of our Saviour, and we NAV
.emember that his last words before his
ieath were these: Father into thy hands I
commit my spirit" So that not only will it
De consolation to us in life, but it will be our
support in death to be able to commit our soul
o the care of him whose work we have been
,ndeavoring to do through our early life
Every day, may it be our first thought that
We will try to do our Fathers work, and may
t be our morning prayer'to God for help to do
lis will.
In the evening interesting addresses were
made by Rev. Mr.. McWhinnie of the Free
st. Baptist Church and Rev. Mr.. Anderson.
pastor of the church with which the school is
The singing added greatly to the
interest of the OCCASION. being mostly appro-
'riately interspersed with the responsive read.
ng and addresses. The pulpit recess was
;f,,l II,