The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-02-10
RRTSTOL.

The small audience which gathered
at the Congregational church last Sun
day morning had the pleasure of list
ening to a very eloquent sermon by
Rev. James Powell. The gentleman
speaks e.Stempore, and has an effective
delivery. The words of the text were
from the evangelist Luke, ITO the
poor the gospel is preached" The ser
mon was in behalf of the objects of the
American Missionary Association,
whose work is chiefly among the
freedmen of the south, but, independ-
ent of the object for which it was
preached, the sermon was one of great
interest and power. In answer to the
inquiry, "Why is the gospel preached
to the poor ?" the speaker said because
it recognizes the dignity of human
nature in even it's lowest and most
fallen conditions. Diamonds could
add nothing to the dignity of human
nature, while rags and loWliness could
detract nothing from it. Some of the
most eloquent passages of the sermon
occurred here in setting forth the
worth Of the human soul. Another
reason why the gospel should be
preached to the poor is, the speaker
said, because of its simplicitys The
most ignorant and depraved can easily
understand it. Systems of science and
philosophy cannot save men or help to
make them better to any considerable
extent, for the masses could not I'M
derstand them, because of their COM
plexity. But few out of hundreds of
thousands could comprehend enough
of them to have controlling influence
in the life. In few words Jesus set
forth the two great laws adequate to
save all; so simple that the least intel
ligent could understand, yet so pro-
found that the mightiest intellect had
failed to fathom its greatest depths.
These are: "Thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart &C." and
Whatever We would that men should
do to you, do We even so unto them"
Another reason given by the speaker
why the gospel should be preached is
what it has already accomplished.
This was eloquently and fully set forth
by the speaker in comparisons between
the moral standing and civilization of
nations and peoples at the time Of Je-
sus and their condition 91oso. Some
statements of great interest were given
with regard to the condition of the
freedmen. At the close of the war the
colored people had absolutely nothing
but the hatred Of the whites and pow
erty and ignorance. Colored schools
were burned, teachers were ostracised.
prosecuted, and in many cases muir
dered. Now the better class of whites
in the south give eolored schools their
God-speed. The colored people now
have a hundred million dollars of
real estate. In seven different states
there are tlourishing colored colleges,
where their youth are trained for
teachers and for the various profess
sions. In 1881 Congregational church
es contributed 100000 and gifts and
requests swelled the funds of the
American Missionary Association to
over half million dollars. More
teachers and workers have been en-
gagged and the Association in its work
in the South for 1882 are planning its
campaign on the basis of receiving
from the churches 100000. q
The usual contribution of the Bristol
and Paris Congregational church was
taken at the close of the sermon.
Rev. James Powell was the guest Of
Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. 0. Myrick during his
stay here.
Mrs. H. M. Corsbie and her children
have been afflicted with illness the
past week or two. They are now re-
covering.
Henry Blackman commenced last
week to move on to his recently pur-
chased farm.
The subject of the "Bible Reading"
at Deacon NJ. O. Myrick's on last Tues
day evening was a CONT nuation of
Paul's journeys and labors, the nara
tive being recorded in the goth and
21st chapters of Acts.
Mr.. and Mrs. Burnett, OLA ntioch,
H., visited Mrs: A. J. Benedict last
Saturday.