Morning journal and courier., 1882-03-02
United Lenten Services.
Books for Edifi for Spir-
 ItuaI Growth.


 ItuaI Growth.
 Rev. Dr. Beardsley preached at united len- ! ten services at St. Paul's church last evening, \ delivering the second in the course of lenten l sermons. His subject was Religious Read l ing" Present in the chancel assisting in the l exercises were Rev. Dr. Vibbert of Fair Ha ven, Rev. MT. Denslow of Fair Haven, Rev. Messrs. Lines of St. Paul's and Babcock of the Church of the Ascension. Owing to the wet weather there was not large attend ance. Dr. Beardsley's text was from St. Paul's second epistle to Timothy, 4th chap ter, 18th verse, ''The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring
 with thee, and the books, but especially the
 parchments." The apostle Paul had visited
 Troas several times. His need of the books
 and parchments was probably for use in his
 spiritual labors. St. Paul was now on the
 eve of martyrdom. Perhaps the cloak con-
 tributed to his comfort when in the prison. What the parchments told is matter of con-
 lecture. They were carefully prepared
 skins fitted to receive writing. The extreme
 poverty of St. Paul and of many others of the early workers in the church had the ef-
 feet upon reasonable, sober minded men that they labored for the truth, for the truths sake. The apostles wish for the books and parchments shows that he used human agen-
 cies as aids in preaching. This was good example, and preachers nowadays who hope to do well must come prepared for their work. St. Paul thus prepared preached with the spirit and with power. Earnestness made him eloquent. So now he who speaks from belief and following closely the Master can- not fail to encourage and interest. Religious reading for the laity, for the men and women of our congregations is my subject. Modern magazines filled with ideal exaggerated pie lures of human life were not in the category of works coming under the subject. Chris tians should not be more eager to explore the depths of human knowledge than to know the foundations of their own faith or to be able to give 8 reason of the hope that is with ill them in meekness and fear. The reading of religious books with view to edifcation was encouraged by the speaker. The press of our times had no great abundance of books on practical piety, or of an edifying nature. One must, it is true, keep up with the questions of the day, but all should have if possible, fixed times for self-com- 1 munion and prayerful meditation and the perusal of devotional books Publishers say there is very little call for works on prac- tical piety. One is not likely to stray far
 who keeps perpetually within sound of the voice which calls them to the straight and narrow path. Spiritual nourishment resem- bles natural nourishment; the most stimu- lating is by no means the most wholesome or safe. He who reads for edifcation must not discard books because not sensational, and is advised to read books which are the most weighty with spiritual truths. Wedo well to note carefully the tendencies of popular lit erature. Much of it is unwholesome and stimulating. Poetry which is corrupting and subyersive of morals was not conducive to spiritual welfare, nor scientific works which strip from the mind the idea of the Creator. There was an old fashioned book; thank God not out of print nor spoiled by the revisionists. Set aside all thoughts as to its divine origin and regard it solely for it's intrinsic worth, and it will yet demand the first place in our affections Too
 many were familiar with it only from recol-
 lections dating back perhaps to childhood's years. The character of Christ, if only viewed
 as historical fact, is worthy of never r-end
 ing study as the only perfect character ever
 delineated. The discourse contained many other fine passages, and was listened to with
 much interest
 Rev. Mir. Densow delivers the next sermon
 in the course on next Wednesday evening, at
 St. Pauls church.