Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-04-18

he is the Life OF every creature that
breathes and moves. Inert matter is the
opposite OF the Divine Life; 1t Is dead.
Now man, while he lives from God, Is yet
more or less affected by the body and ma.
terial limitations. There he stands mid
way between life and death. II he turns
from God to the body and the world snd
permits their influence to be the ruling
force, then his life receives thereby ma
terial and mortal quality. Then he seeks
life in death, the living among the dea'.
We may see this tendency Of human nature
exhibited in many forms;
7st In those who seek life in the mere
letter of Scripture. The Word in order
to be adapted to men In the flesh Is written
as to the letter in natural imagery ard
worldly expression. Therefore the letter
by itself Is dead. The letter killeth."
But Il Is yitalized by the Divine Spirit, ltv-
Ing Truth, dwelling as an animating soul
within it. Hence those who read the
Word of Life attending only to the most
external material sense, 70 to an empty
sepulchre to find risen Lord.
2Hd. In those who TO greater or less
extent, identify the mortal body with the
living human spirit. The spirit IS man.
Our affection and intelligence, our appe-
titles and sensations, our very substance,
form, and personal identity, belong to the
spirit alone. The body is dust OF the
GROUND. But because 1t Ia iDterpen etrat-
ed, or organized and spiriiualiZed 10y the
spirit. IL is natural. Judging from sensual
Impressions TO impu,e TO the flesh what is
solely the property OF the spirit. Hence
the deserted corpse is To us the man We
have known and loved; and because it
moves not, the vital spark seemin: 10 be
quenched we call him dead, though never
so fully alive a. now; aud buryiDg IL We
think we bury him. OR IT there Is super
stltious Imagination OF a formless shade, a
ghost, fitting about In au unknown some
where, nevertheless the solid man that the
heart clings To j. deemed 20 be resting
dreamlesSly beneath the sod. And even
the processes of corruption that destroy
the last yestiges OF lie and humanity,
leaving but handful of black mould, do
not dislllusonizc this Idea. OfcOnrse men
taught 10y Christian doctriac know better.
But 10 spite OF doctrine, 10 spite OF reason,
there j. vague feeling born OF sense, often
far too strong, that draws men To seek the
living among the dead. Would that every
heay, inward Tointlng monumental stone
might bear this witness d" He is not here
he is risen
,3rd. In those who look back aud long
for the life OF the past. our existence be-
gins upon the Garth, and at frst Is chi, fy
earthly. Physical desires, sensations and
ideas from natural objects characterize
the experience of infancy and childhood.
But there is unfolded gradually clear In
trlligence, spirituality, eternal lie. Human
progress il from Earth toward God, that
il from death 10 life eyermore. To look
regretfully back like Lots wife Is 10 be-
come dead statue. There must be some
thing wrong with one who knows nothing
better than the innocence, peace and puri-
" OF his early days. The best Of the land
il slways before us. Then, Let the dead
past bury its dead" while We set our faces
toward the Life 10 come.
an. In those who would Had their life
In wealth. Wealth ut the best can only
minister To certain animal needs. And
the full limit TO which II eau do this much
is quickly reached. Vast Accommodations,
excessive luxury and pleasure. from their
mortal nature, do but destroy our physic-
al well-being, comfort, and happiness.
Even mans bodily life consistent not IN
the abundance of the things that he possess
eth. Butw what Is far worse the higher >pir-
itual life Is quenched in the sordld SELF h
greed, the distrust OF Providence, and the
contempt OF heaven. which are the effect
OF making dead wealth our god and our
all In gaining the world men lose their
own souls.
From the view presented, the significance
OF life and death as used in Scripture now
becomes evident. Life is not bare breath
ing and existence; 1t is the Spirit OF God
in the soul OF man. Death i not corpor-
cal dissolution or humiliation; II Is that
divine Life perverted, di, or Tered, de0ased
by carnsl and matt rial Influences. 1t is
turning the back upon the Lord and look
ing 10 the world and the body. Would
that all such dead might this blessed East
er day hear the voice OF Jesus saying |
am the Resurrection and the Life. He
that believeth IN me though he were dea
yet shall he live; and whatsoever liycth and
believeih in me shall never die. Amen.
DRAMATIC.
The young people OF Fryeburg have won
considerable distinction, and met with
fattering success, whenever they have
taken To the stage" We have not for
go,t n what run the "Children's Pima
fore" had two years ago, under the direc-
ton OF Miss Hattie Pike; nor, later, |" Mo-
Their G ose," which was under the dirtc-
ton of Miss Margaret Harrington. Last
winter, Fooled" played by the Village
Improvement Dram attic Club, had crowded
houses two nights.
The event in this direction this month
will be Naval Engagements, which Is
TO be played at Court Hall, Thursday eve.
ming, the eth, assisted by the Orchestra.
IL will be seen by the cast OF characters,
that the public can feel assured that tirst-
class entertainment is in store for them.
CAST or CHARACTERS.
" Admiral Kingston" u. Walter Mckeen.
Lieut.. Kingston, X. v, Warren Towle.
Short" Willard Powers.
Dennis" John O-good.
"Mrs Pontifex" Miss nv. Harrington.
Miss Mortimer" Miss Lutte Towle.