The Portland daily press., 1881-01-17
PULPIT AND PLATFORM.


NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.
The Rev. j. K. Smyth delivered lecture
yesterday evening on the Christian life. "What
shall do to be saved?' is the test question
which is to be put to every system of religion.
A brief sketch was given of the teachings of
the Egyptian, Chinese, Brahmin, Buddhist,
Persian, Scandinavian, Grecian, Roman and
Jewish religions in regard to this subject.
When Christ-God in human form-appeared
among men He showed the insuficiency OF
external rites and ceremonies as means OF sal
vation unless accompanied with an inward
spirit of religion. To the question, "What
shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He made
answer, "Keep the commandments" His
own ministry was perfect exemplifcatlon OF
His teachings. 1t was a ministry OF holiness'
of combined gentleness and power, OF charity
and forgiveness, of sweet patience and uncom-
plaint 1t was a perfect life. Would 1t not
seem that with such an example Christians
might have maintained unity of belief as to
the requirements for leading righteous
life?
Yet we do not find this to have been the
case. AS early as the second or third century,
we find some of the Christians adopting the
practice of solitary retirement and mortifica-
ton of the flesh, as the only proper means OF
salvation. They were known as "Anchorites''
and their practices gave place in later centu-
ries to cenobitism or monasticism. The doc
trines of election, predestination and salvation
by faith alone, as taught by St. Augustine,
Luther and Calvin, were briefly sketched.
The doctrine of salvation by means of faith
is still taught, but faith is now made to in
Ciud6 pond works. for If ia held that GOOD
works are the natural result of a true faith,
just as fruit is produced from tree. 1t is to
be noticed, however, that not unfrequently
men maintaining the same faith develope
the other hand that many who profess no
faith produce good works. The New Church
emphasizes the importance of both charity and
faith. They are the two great elements to be
employed in the work of spiritual develop
ment They are to the soul what the heart
and lungs are TO the body, or what heat and
light are to the material universe. They
should act spontaneously.
The New Church holds that man should re
sist evil as of himself; nevertheless in the &C
so are from the Lord. She holds out no hope
of any instantaneous change of character, al
though the desire TO be better may be sudden
in its coming. She points out no short cat'
to heaven-none shorter, none easier, than
that which was indicated by the inspired
learn to do well,' or as marked out by the
Lord when He said, ''Keep the command
ments." The resistance of evil she urges as
mans first duty. There is no other way.
We have, however, abundant means offered
us for obtaining spiritual help The holy word,
the great sacraments, baptism and the Holy
Supper, are designed to bring us more fully
into the presence and conjunction of God.
Our unregenerate nature is like rebellious
nation; it must be subdued and afterwards
nnU Va dual 11xy 1aor 10 lr
right from love of doing right, and cease to
do evil, not because our neghbors will not |
think SO well of us, not because it will be an |
obstacle to worldly success but because it is
sin against God.
The New Church doctrine of life is thorough |
ly practical One has to go far to find sys- |
tenn of religion where the doctrines of use is SO
extolied. 1t is utilitarian in its highest and |
best sense. Use strengthens and makes sure
the spirit OF religion and secures us from fos-
very great benefit We are not compelled to
turn away from unnecessary pleasures but we |
must not drink too freely.
The New Church doctrine of life is a adapt
ed to any and all who desire religion that
shall help them in the affairs of every day life
We have yet to see grander, truer or more
definition of religion in SO few
words than this which appears at the very be-
ginning of Swedenborgs treatise on the doc
trine of life: "Al religion has relation to life,
andthe life OF religion is to do good II this be
mysticism" we glory in it; if this be visionary
then hail such visions of Christian duty
STATE STREET CHURCH.
Rev. DR. Field of Bangor preached at this
church morning and evening, both sermons
being able, instructive and interesting. The
ext of the morning discourse was from ROM
viii, %: "All things work together for good
20 them that love God.'