Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-09
AMONG THE CHURCHES.


2Ascc1o 1I63Cu6Q ADO0I
Inc pleasant weather filed the churches 3,
Overlooking yesterday. Large congregation
assembled at the houses of worship of ali de
nominations.
Rev. DIR. shelaon
conducted the services at the Unitarian church
yestefoay morning. The text of his dis.
course was the words from John /. 21:-
Arr thou Elias: And he saith, am not,
IN comparison with the words "And if We
WI receive it, this is Elias, which was to
come, from Matthew XI, IA. After show.
ing that there is no real contradiction in
the two texts named, the speaker went on to
develop the idea that the religion of Jesus
was not wholly new, that Christianity was
not new thing, but continuation of what
had preceded. All that was peculiar of the
religion Of Jesus was the moral spirit. which
was deeper, broader and more mighty than
anything before known. He brought God
nearer to the thought and soul of men. He
came not to destroy the law and the prophets.
- ~--y sA~sAs VuS W tuCA pCItcCtlOu
Touching upon the matter of the origin of
Christianity, he said that it was as old as hu-
man nature, and could be traced back to God
who made US. The name came from Jesus,
but Its constituents were the stamp Of God
On every soul. As to the misconception of
the teachings of Christianity, he said that
many maintained the second coming of
Christ, but the judgment of the soundest
reasoners was that the New Testament holds
out no such idea. But on the contrary it taught
the spreading Of Christ's religion in the world.
In closing he referred to the change to be ex-
pected from DEATH All kinds of ideas pre-
vailed as to what the future state would be.
His belief vas that death was no final soul
purifier. that it was neither the beginning nor
the end Of sin, but that it was an accident of
the body. He could not doubt but that all
souls existed in the same sense in the next
world, but that we have right to expect
that God will help US when we help our
selves.
How and why We Ought to Keep Lent.
Rev. Mr.. Upjohn, at St. Marks, yesterday
morning, delivered a very appropriate and
powerful sermon on Lent. He said that as
long as the church of Christ is militant on
earth, just so long will she have occasion
to vindicate her usages. People outside her
communion will continue to ask, "What
mean We by this service?" The Church of
Christ is not in the world to condemn the
world, but to save it. There is not now one
Lord, one faith, one baptism, but every sect
interprets the Scriptures in such manner
to bolster up the tenets of its creed. The
division of the followers of Jesus is enough to
cause whole Lent of sorrow and sadness
and mourning We must understand the doc
trines of the church, if we would maintain
our position, and if we would keep ourselves
from being stranded on the rocks of inidelity.
We are entering upon days that are conse-
Grated beyond other days. What is the mean
ing of Lent? 1t is the solemn time that pre-
ceded the betrayal of our Lord, and his resur-
rcction. 1t is-a time Of fasting. of humilia-
ton, of prayer. No thoughtful Christian will
deny the necessity of fasting. The BRIDE
groom is taken away The apostles tasted
often The primitive church-that is the early
Christians appointed Wednesday and Friday
of each week as fast-days and as the time of
Christ's first advent grew more and more dis
tant. the time was heightened that we might
still keep him in remembrance. Let us keep
this Lent thoroughly and solemnly; let us
consecrate our life to Christ more fully. If
we do this, the forty days will be days of re-
joicing and spiritual growth, and we shall en-
ter Easter with better appreciation of the
glory and hope of q risen Saviour.
ssIIOlimess unto the Lord ON the Bells OF
the Horses"
Rev. DIR. Butler delivered an interesting
lecture last evening at the First Baptist
church on the good time coming, when relig-
ion shall permeate all the walks of life. The
design of the Gospel is to regenerate the
world. The curse of sin is not only upon
the human soul. but upon the human body
will extend as far as sin extends.
The world is growing better. The Millen-
MUM must dawn sometime. Religion Is the
great panacea for the ills that affect society.
Christianity can solve the problems which
the political economist aad the trained finan-
cier cannot solve. 1t is hopeful sign for
our country that God is recognized in the
constitutions Of the original thirteen States.
The common law of England is drawn from
the Divine law of the Bible. Hypocrisy and
spiritual pride should be rebuked. Sooner or
later the bad must be done away with.
"Thoush the mills of the gods grind slowly.
Yet they grind exceeding SMALL
The speaker then alluded to the dangers
that threaten the State and society, and SAID
that the remedy was to be found in closer
walk with God. More holiness is needed IN
our courts: more in the newspapers. Mr..
b. paid glowing tribute to the press OF the
nation, and its power for righteousness. He
referred to the triumph Of law and good sense
IN the political affairs of our State, and closed
bv re-af,rming that the horizon was aireauy
all afiame with the light Of the golden thou
sand years that are to come.
Good Templars.
The officers of Capital Lodge, No. 1885, l.
O. ofG.T., Of Augusta, were installed last
Friday evening by the Grand Secretary ueo'
=, D..,l.,t of Telfast A number VI wishing