The Portland daily press., 1881-11-14
PULPIT AND PLATFORM.


Rev. j. X. Smyth, pastor of this church, de-
livered the first of course of lectures last
evening The lecture was upon Evangelical
Religion and was based upon the words of
Christ:-''If ye abide in my word, then are ye
truly my disciples (John viii 31) The first
portion of the lecture was devoted to con-
sideration Of the origin of religion. Chris
tianity is not the first and only genuine rellg-
ion that the world has ever had. 1t is, rather,
the crown and consummation Of all other re-
ligions, gathering within its lap all the bright
Jewels of truth which time has not dimmed
and which the hand of man has spared.
Whereas all ancient religions have only been
local in their aim and influence, Christianity
has the power and the desire to overstep the
boundaries which divide men into races, and
become the religion of the world.
1t would seem, then, as if after having
gained Christianity as divine product we,
who believe in its mighty disclosures, might
rest content. But no! Christianity itself is
divided into sects, who oppose each other. Al
though time has revealed errors in nearly
every formulary of faith, and demonstrated
that truth is not tied up in any one creed, still
there are those who protest that they alone are
evangelical" and who lay exclusive claim to
this exalted title. This word ''evangelical''
means simply relating to the gospel agreea-
BILE to contained in the gospel" The defini-
tion is simple. An evangelical church is one
whose teachings and whose life are in agree
ment with gospel teachings. To be evangelical
in this sense is indeed honorable. To be not
only hearers but doers also of the word is a
consideration greatly to be wished. But no
one, save God, has the power of declaring who
in this solemn sense is evangelical. The ap-
plication of this title 10 any one body of Chris
tians is an assumption of power and of judg-
ment that belongeth not to man. The doc
trines OF all Christian sectS are based upon
what they conceive to be gospel teaching. We
ght all, therefore, with equal authority write
over our particular ttle:-"Ths is the only
true and evangelical church." But this very
boast would in itself be unevangelical; and
earth has no court that could adjudicate our
claims. Christian charity forbids any of US
from laying exclusive claim to title which,
while IL makes known our own confidence in
the absolute trustworthlness of the trath of
our creed, implies our equal certainty as to the
errors of others. The term sets forth the hopes
rather than the present realizations OF Ielig-
ious people. So long as human weakness
taints our actions, and human follies spread
film over our eyes, let us be humble and re-
frain from making boasts.
The idea has prevailed thai the New Church
is not evangelical that it has many pleasing
that its system is founded on fancy rather than
the Scriptures. Verify the enemy is cunning
when with its own hand 1t pours out into the
waters OF our faltn these drops of slow poison!
Every essential doctrine of our church, said
the speaker, is based on the sacred Scriptures.
And although will not boast that they are
shown forth more clearly in our lives than in
the lives OF others, yet will say in the pres
ence OF our most bitter accusers that no system
OF religion on this earth places higher estl-
of unn %In tbor ha Naxg
Church since we believe it to be the word OF
God, holy in every part
In conclusion, the speaker assured his hear
ers that in being invited to examine the relig-
louS system of the New Church, they were
asked to consider a system which is founded
upon what is honestly conceived to be the
teachings of Scripture as well as of reason.
The New Church will importune no man to
stay himself upon her, but she will hail with
genuine pleasure the thoughtful enquiries of
those who are fair-minded, intelligent, earnest
seekers after truth.
NATIONAL IDEALS.
Rev. Mr.. Dalton delivered his second lecture
OF National Ideals Saturday afternoon at
St. Stephens church. He said:
In remote corner of the Atlantic ocean,
cut off from the great European continent,
looms out of the fog by which it is enveloped,
an island of no extraordinary dimensions or
aspect. Descent after descent was made upon
it by Celts, Angles Saxons, Danes and Nor
mans, who warred upon the natives and each
other till elements of order and peaceful pro-
gress were slowly but surely evolved. Agricul-
ture laid the foundations of England's great
ness, which was largely enhanced by manu-
factures and commerce, in which England
now surpssses all nations ancient or modern.
The wealth from these sources is lncalculaole
wealth which in the main. the English make
good use of. With it, they have developed the
resources not only of their own country, but of
many others. They own and sell more ships
than all the rest of the world. In neutral
markets they have but few rivals, and as
rule, no equals. At home, they are the busiest
population on the globe. The island is dotted
over with landscapes improved by art and
adorned by the happiest homes in Europe
Their ancient universities are the pride OF the
people, and schools of the highest culture for
fortunes favorites. English art is inferior, but
in literature she is equaled by no modern
nation, and surpassed only by the Greeks, If by
any, which is doubtful. In pure science, too
England maintains an equality with the best,
and in applied science is without a peer. The
English church is venerable institution, dear
even to dissenters, or would be i separated
from the State, as it ought to be. The old ao-
beys and churches are sources OF real satisfac-
ton to all classes there, and the chief objects
of interest to Americans visiting England.
But more than all else, England is famous as
the cradle of liberty as understood in modern
times. We owe our own institutions to her,
and many other colonies planted by England
will grow into great and free nations. These
colonies with their outposts encicle the globe.
Ireland is the weak point in English admins
tration to-day, as it is the darkest shadow on
her past history. Gladstone has Just secured
to Ireland measure of right. But he and his
successors must go farther and secure to the
sister isle local self-government, perfect free
dom in religion and education. The Irish
have as good right to manage their local in
terests in their own way as the English and
e. IL A = SO rtfrtf ftaay
will eventually secure if firm and prudent. To
sum up, the English have grown very rich by
manufactures and commerce, in which they
surpass all the States of the European con-
tinent. Their surplus wealth is equal to that
of France, Italy and Germany united. The
enormous profits of their trade with all ma
tions, they spend freely in cultivating their
land to the last degree, building and adornlng
parks and houses with works OF art and mag
nifcance drawn from the four quarters OF the
globe They hunt, fish and ride at home, and
then scatter all over the world in search of ad-
ventures, and to explcre the remotest
countries for new ventures of their own. Ihey
prefer country to city homes, and live much III
the open air, women as well as men taxing
long walks daily. The sea, however, is the
theatre of their greatest success and most
brilliant triumphs. But long before we have
celebrated our second centennial, the sceptre
will have passed from England to America
and Britannia will have ceased "to rule the
world " New York will then be the centre of
the worlds commerce and money exchanges,
as London now is, and has been for several
generations. sThis is not only the anticpa-
tion of Americans butts frankly admitted by
many candid Englishmen, including Glad
stone, undoubtedly the greatest living states
man. AS to the rest suffice it to say that in
the future ages, Americans will go on pill
grimage to England, as Mohammedans go to
Mecca and Jews to Jerusalem.
The New Steamer.
The new steamer bnilding at Bath for the
International line will be launched next Sat
urday at II O'Clock a. m. Excursion tickets