The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-09-04
PULPIT AND PLATFORM.
FIRST uNrvrRsA11sr CHURCH.

FIRST UNIvERsALIsT CHURCH.
Rev. Henry Blanchard the new pastor Oh
the First Universalist church, Congress Square
delivered his first sermon yesterday, to large
congregation.
Mr. Blanchard selected as his text portion
of the 2Sth verse of Romans viii. He said the
9Th chapter of Romans is stirring chapter
Its words are accented by courage and yictori-
GUS hope. 1t ends with a triumphant pean
/ He should dwell then upon Paul's declaration
that all things work together for good. 1t is
evident, even to Canon Farrar, that Paul be-
lieved in the ultimate holiness and happiness
of ALL The fire of Portland years ago, the
drought of summer, the ruin at Alexandra
are not in themselves good, but they are parts
of a great system that issues in good. They
develop courage, industry, faith. The uni
verse; as it is, is the best for the development
of character. Study the life of Paul, himself,
for illustration. We read that "Saul was con-
senting unto his DEATH referring to the mar
tyrdom of Stephen. In this consentng there
was no good, but it was connected with many
other events: it worked together with these
for good. So, toe, we can imagine, that he
often thought of Christ's death upon the cross.
How could loving God permit such death?
What good was there in it in itself? None;
but that death has melted thousands of hearts,
has inspired thousands of wills to noble deeds.
It, too. therefore, has worked for good.
The preacher here referred to the fact that
men to-day might dwell on single events and
find only pain. Sickness, loss of fortune, anx-
iety for others, bereavement, IN themselves
are not good. But they are parts OF great
system: they lead men on to strength and
peace They find that all things work togetn,
er for good. For this great declaration OF Paul
therefore, this church and this pastorate shall
stand
The speaker here drew picture of the grad
ual preparation of the earth for vegetable life,
then for the lower forms OF animal life, and
then for the highest-man. He dwelt upon
the facts that man does not choose to come In
to being, has no choice concerning time, or
parentage, or country. Ii the end OF all these
marvellous events is not for gaod then God is
not good, and man can not love Him. But
how do those who differ from us treat this
subject? They say that the evils of this pres
eDt life are as hard to reconcile with the good
ness of God as endless sin and punishment In
the future. To this, the answer IS simple and
complete. If the evils of this world are edu-
cational and transitory, if God uses them to de-
velop character then they are reconcilable
with the goodness of God. Endless evil can
not be in universe ruled by good God.
some say, "Yes, all things will work
together for good, there will be final
perfection, but it will come about in
this way-the wicked will be anninilated.
This doctrine is preferable to the old doctrine
of endless punishment. But the speaker
could not accept it, He would say with Abra--
ham Lincoln, ''All or none" Mr.. Blanchard
then referred TO the testimony OF the poets and
historians They believe in the final triumph
of the good over evil.
oJo,,, do ann Jafn
occasion and were as follows: "Accept then,
my friends, these words as the opening dis
course of our new pastorate. have not come
to you by my own decision but by the advice
of honored friends-clergymen whom you all
respect. l have found it hard to leave Boston,
but am sure that / shall be glad to be In
Portland. Words of praise concerning you as
q parish have been uttered by your former pas
tors and by your friends. so deep and so alice
tionate that any man may feel himself honored
in being called to serve you as your minister.
l am grateful for the unanimty and the cor
diaity OF yeur call But in parish SO large
as this, it can not be exrected that any one
man shall be the choice of all. With GODS
help shall strive to be the minister OF all.
Already my heart has turned toward you, for
it was only natural that during the vacation
days should frequently think OF this day and
consider plans for future work and usefulness
1 will do my best to be your preacher, ana pas
tor and friend. / invoke the good will OF all
1 would gladly win, if / may. the warm love
of ALL trust that I shall deserve the respect
of all. Very speedily you will learn IN my
ninistrations how greatly magnify my once;
To be the minister of God, the ambassador OF
Christ, is to occupy the highest position which
any man ON earth can fill You will also
learn how beautiful and how sacred. to me, is
the relationship of pastor and people. May
God help us to work strongly and affectlonate-
ly together. May he make our past and present
and future work together in all things Tor
good-to His glory and for the blessing OF
men,"
unite with him in silent prayer; after which
he offered brief spoken one.
CHESTNUT STREET CHURCH.
Yesterday morning previous to the COM
munion service, the pastor, Rev. Dr. Nc
Keown, admitted sixteen more of the proba-
TONERS to full membership, and also received
three by letter.
At the close of the afternoon sermon the
ordinance of baptism by immersion was ad-
ministered in the cove near the foot of Wilmot
street to four persons in presence OF multi
tude of we'll behaved people. 1t was beauti-
full and impressive scene as the pastor, stand
ing in the edge of the water, read the ritual TO
the candidates on the shore, and received their
responses, prayed for them, and then led
them into the water while the congregation
Joined in singing the old familiar hymn: "On
Jordan's stormy bank stand"
FIRST PARISH.
At the First Parish yesterday, Rev. DR., Hill
officiated in the morning and Rev. Mr.. Alger
of Park street, in the evening. Miss Pond,
who sang in Mrs. Fellows place, has sweet
soprano.