The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-01-07

IA, the fourth 8, the fifth 81, the sixt
= %. The first four years the addition
: were considerably under the average
J viz, 10. For the six remaining year
the average has been nearly 50. Al
average gain of about 20. There hav
been extraordinary influences at worl
: during some of these recent years.
claim no special credit for the deepenin.
religious life. But l note the fac
of spiritual gain. My hope is that /
is of God. One hundred and two hav,
come to us by letter; one hundred ant
sixty-six by confession of Christ. Sine,
the organization of the church pinet,
years ago. ninety, after becoming mem
bers of the church, have entered thu
christian ministry. Just our quota o
these, viz, ten, have entered the min
istry in these ten years. Of the 166 unit
ing by profession of faith, fifty-thret
were young men or lads, fifty-nine wer,
young ladies or misses. Thirty-sever
heads of families have connected will
the church by confession. There have
been one hundred and flfty-two bap
tisms, So of children, "a of adults; rs
have transferred their connection to
other churches.
Many others are residing in other
plaoos. This is u characteristic of the
place as an educational center, that the
church is ever sending forth its men,
bers to other portions of the field. Sew
enty of our members have concluded
their labors on earth. 1t is to be hoped
that their works do follow them. Six
ty-six have been separated from the
church under various rules. Four
have been excommunicated, one of
whom has been restored. Two hun
dred and twelve members in one way
and another have been removed. The
present. membership is four hundred
and fifty-six. have attended one hun
dred and forty funerals. have united
In marriage s,xty-one couples.
The benevolent contributions since
the report in September have been: To
foreign missions, $50 6.63; to home mis-
sions, $S5.32; to Orphans Home in
Burlington, S49.19. Total for the year
1880, $434.51; total for the ten
years of recorded benevolent contribu.
tions, including legacies of fS11 ,63O.6S.
The spiritual quickening has been
manifest, not only in accessions
from without. The heart of the
church beats in its meetings tor So
cial worship. The attendance has in
creased from few to a considerable
number. This deepening has been
manifest in the tone of life; also, in
more earnest, practical work for
others, on the part of some.
And yet, we are far from iwhat we
ought to be. The spiritual drift has
not seemed to affect all. With some,
awakened interest is too temporary.
rather than the year round, a growing
devotion to Christ's principles and
work.
My dear friends, am not without
anxiety to-day. One is NOT caught in
any trend of piety, or carried
along irrespective of his own wish and
endeavor. Paul said: "Be strong in
the Lord" There is a positive duty
about it, personal activity. There is
whole armor to put on-armor for
every poiut-for the head-for the
breast as facing the enemy, shield for
the person, a sword for defensive and
offensive war, preparation even for
the feet, and then wrestling not
against flesh and blood, but against
principalities and powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this world,
against wicked spirits in high places.
Praying always with all prayer and
supplication in the spirit, and watch
ing thereunto with all perseverance
and supplicatiOn for all saints"
1t was vital question once ,whether
grace is irresistible Whether it would
have its way in human hearts against
all possible opposition. Is it like n
torrent dashing down mountain side |
like the resistless flow of ocean tides? |
Will it bear one, whether he will or |
not, onward in the christian experience
and life? Not at all. lie must he strong
in the Lord and in the power of his
might, or all his endeavors to succeed
will fail.
have anxiety for young christians
and for old christians too. In the af-
lection of this hour, | exhort, Be strong.
Put on the armor. Keep it on. Stand
in your lot. Make il matter of prin-
ciple never to desert your post. When
business drives and when it flags; when
interest is high and when it is low. |
Know what it is to be steadfast, always
abounding in the work of the Lord. If |
you who are older in the christian life
are anxious about those who are young-
er in the way, be an example of what
you would have them. And my be-
loved young christians, if they who are
older in the way desert their post, do
not you. Let your religion be one of
pre-eminence, of principle of every day
in the year and for every place.
This is my parting counsel to you all,
"Be strong in the Lord and in the
power of his might"
So shall this community increase In
strength and power for Christ and the
world, unto the end.
There has been peace between us all
these years. There is peace between
us as we separate. For Il | am grateful.
am assured 1t Is the gift of God. NY
heart will turn back to you as friends
beloved. May your prayers follow us
to the new labors to which we go, tha.
we may make known to many the mys-
terry of the Gospel. "Peace be to the
brethren, and love with faith, from God
the father and the Lord Jesus Christ"
"The Lord bless thee and keep thee
The Lord make his face to shine upon
thee, aud be gracious unto thee; The
Lord lift up his countenance upon thee,
and give thee peace"