The Portland daily press., 1881-06-06
PULPIT AND PLATFORM.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.

IA1MOO1h ShOhSn
Rev. DIR. Seward preached from Kings iy,
20. Among other things he said Manhood
should not be held by the prejudices of child
hood. Some men go in swaddling clothes all
their lives. Our souls should be large enough
to contain charity for the weaknesses and faults
OF others. Our Lord made no compromise
with sin, but he also rebuked Simon, the Phar-
isee, for his narrow charity and swift condem-
nation. Men cold, hard and misery, descant
with pious fervor on the misdeeds of a neigh
Dor, but have not a word of rebuke for their
own cold-blooded rapacity. do not counsel
the CLOSING over of sin. l do not believe in
the application of smooth and softened speech
to transgression, but do believe that there is
vast amount OF wrong and narrow Judgment.
Let not cenSure be so severe that it shall dis.
courage upward effort and shut the door of re-
turn to the Fathers house.
There has been great advance in the last
twenty-five years, but there is still need for
more largeness in religious creeds and denomi-
nations. There is too much exclusiveness, too
much gathering of the robes and folding of the
hands with the assertion 81 am hoier than
thou" Each church should seek the growth
and spiritual beauty of neighboring churches.
The time is coming when church shall not
ask if its neighbours "Shibboleth" be with or
without the kissing
NEW JERUSALEM
~Ae ouC NOW CoTuSdlou CuuTCu MI OlQyUQ6
preached from tho text Psalms Lxvru:11-'The
Lord gave the word; great was the company of
those that published it, and described the in
terest which has attended the appearance of
the new version, and hoped for an increase of
interest in the word of God to result from it,
He said the defects of the old version had long
been known New manuscripts of great value
had been discovered, and the revisers were full
ly authorized in undertaking the task. The
public reception had been favorable and it may
be considered success The honesty of the
translatorS is marked, and that few radical
changes have been made gives universal salts
faction. The phraseology still wears its state
~ garb and does not conform to modern fash
ion.
He then gave examples of the changes
showing the gain in strength and consistency,
and pointing out those which especially con-
firmed points of doctrine held by the New
Church.. notably fthe retention of the word
Hddes, the omission of the spurious verse re-
garding the three who bear witness lin
heaven, and the change of the word concerted
to turn and become as little children. He COM
mended the new style of printing, and objected
to the claims in regard to the elegance of
rhetoric in the old version regardless of the in
spiration He then dwelt upon the importance
of belief in the divine inspiration Iof the
word and promised in future discourse to con-
slider the subject of verbal inspiration
ST. LUKE's.
Yesterday was Whtsunday, and was the
day appointed for the anniversary of the Sun
day School, which occurred in the afternoon.
The usual service characterized the occasion.
Three children were baptized. Bishop Nicely
made an address appropriate to the children.
The classes then presented their beautiful
floral offerings. that of each class forming
letter in the text "Holy Ghost the Comforter"
which was placed on the chancel arch. Ac-
companying each letter was card bearing the
motto of each class and the amount of their
subscription for missionary objects during the
year. The offertory amounted to $202.S9. The
average attendance of the school during the
year was ITO out of 1863, and there are IS
classes and % teachers. Two of the classes are
Bible classes. Canon Chas. Morton Stills is
Superintendent, II. W. Robinson treasurer
librarian. After the floral offerings, the
Superintendent of the Sunday School made
his annual report. The Bishop then distri-
buted % prizes to those having the highest
average rank for the past year.
MISCELLANEOUS.
At the Second Parish church in the morn.
ing Rev. Mr.. Dickerman, of Lewiston, ex-
changed with Rev. Mr.. Dickinson He
preached from the text Luke 81 1890.
Rev. G. W. Biddle, of Cambridge, Mass,
preached an excellent sermon in the morning
from John:-"God is greater than the heart"
Rev DR.. Sheldon, of Watervile, yesterday
preached an admirable sermon at the First
Parish on Whitsunday.
Prof. Geo. T. Ladd, of Brunswick, preached
an excellent sermon at State street from Acts
xyii:28