The Portland daily press., 1883-12-24

aud manliness in the Morse mythology, the
| Greek and Roman cultus, and showing how
| the new elements Of tenderness, pity and love
though not wanting in courage and high
| daring-entered the Christian world through
| the ideal presented by Jesus Of Nszareth.
The Christmas season means for us the living
into the same spirit of perfect conservation to
the truth that was in him. In the evening Mr.
| Bellows gave an address on "Christmas Re-
| forms" showing how the spirit and method of
Jesus must be translated into wise and helpful
| service OF our fellowmeD, with special refsr-
| ence to the temperance cause and the work Of
the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
STATE STREET.
The services at State Street Congregational
church, were particularly commemorative Of
the birth of Christ. The pastor, Rev. Frank
T. Bayley, preaching from the 23d verse Of the
first chapter of Matthew "And they shall call
his name Emanuel, which being interpreted is.
God with u.s."
The meaning of the word in its literal sense
s, "clothed with fesb,' and Christ FULFILLED
the meaning of the word when he came among
us and took upon himself the form Of man.
The incarnation of Christ, revealed the nobili-
ty Of nature and the true dignity OF man. The
speaker drew o picture of the vastness OF the
material universe and spoke of the blessed gift
which God sent in the form of his own son TO
raise fallen and degenerate man. We view
in the incarnation OF Christ the blessed hope
for fallen man. When Christ came upon earth
and called all men brothers, he brought to us
the privilege of looking to God and saying
"Our Father" By Christ's death upon the
cross we are made heirs of God and joint heirs
with Christ
The music by the choir was very fine, under
the direction of Mr.. Marston. 1t iinclud
ed the anthem "And there were shepherds'
the hymn ''It came upon the midnight" and
the response by Steele, "Christ was born of
Mary"
PAYgoN MEMORIAL.
A very delightful Christmas service was held
at the Payson Memorial Church. The musi-
cal selections consisted Of solos and choruses
from the Messiah under the charge of the or
ganist Mr.. Kotzschmar. The beautiful meas
ures OF Handel's oratorio met with fitting
treatment, and the pastoral Symphony, as rem
dered by the organist was treat as were also
the solos "Comfort 20 my people," "But who
may abide" ''and there were shepherds" and
"Oh! thou that tellest good tidings" The
pastor Rev. G. Fl. Daniels took for his text
Isaiah 6.-"For unto us a child is born .
and His name shall be called Wonderful"
The gist OF the sermon was that Christ was
Wonderful In His person, works and suffering,
wonderful in His offices and in the administra-
name, wonderful in His Kingdom, founded in
Justice, truth and mercy, wonderful in the un-
belief that has manifested itself against Him
unbelief in this existence and His claims.
wII1lsroN.
1t was the intention at this church to have
special Christmas celebration, but the sudden
illness of Rev. Mr.. Hallock-a severe cold
which prevented his speaking out loud, inter-
fered. Rev. DIR. Warren kindly took Mr.. Hal
locks place, at short notice, and preachsd
from II Timothy, I, 10. "Our Savior, Jesus
Christ, who has abolished life and DEATH.
The pulpit and platform were decorated with
bouquets. The music was fine, under the di-
rection of Mr.. Harvey Murray, organist, in
cluding Randegger's "Praise the Lord" Dow's
"Christmas Hymn" and Tours "Sing, oh
Heavens" The children gave delightful
Christmas concert in the evening.
FREE STREET BAPTIST.
The music at this church was excellently
rendered under the care of Mr.. @. r. Cressey,
organist, and idcluded among other selectic1s
the anthem "There were shepherds by Dud-
ley Buck. the hymn 'Herald Angles set to
original music, and Mendelesshon's 81 waited
on the Lord" The sermon was preached by
the pastor Rev. James McWhinnie from Gal.
v, 4-5, and its theme was treated with
reference to the Christmas season.