The Portland daily press., 1883-03-15
RECOGNITION SERVICES.
DR.. Gordon's Address at the First Bap-
fist Church.

The services connected with the recognition
of Rev. A. X. P. Small as pastor of the FRS
Baptist church, were held last evening accord.
ing to the following order of exercises:
Organ Voluntary. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
D0xology, ..congregation and Choil
Authentic is High Time to Awake. Choil
Reading OF Scriptures Rev. G. V. Hanson
- Nv 80 NN-'-'' y C C6s. and md Congregation
Sermon .....,,.....Rey A. ]. Gordon, D. D
Prayer. Rev. W. A. Newcombe
Addresses Of Welcome. Rev. j. Mcwhinnie, Rev
W. H. Fem, Rev. j. Kicker, D. D.
Hymn s1n 10. $685. service CO.'S Of song On e = -
Benediction. ..............-- Pastor
The sermon by Rev. DR.. Gordon, was from
the text in Hebs. 1919 and 13:1S-"Having
therefore boldness, &C." 'tLst us go forth
without the camp, &C."
Here we have two views of the Christian
life and how widely different? On earth and
in Heaven at the same time. Can the Chris
tian be in these two states at once? Ask the
Apostle Paul He speaks of such a condition.
The preacher wished to speak of the necessity
OF communion before service. Our great peril
is that our service shall outrun our commun-
ion,-when our hands get in advance of our
hearts. The picture of the cherubim gives
four wings for communion, and two for ser
vice. Communion conservation service is the
order of the Christian life. The lesson we
learn is that we must draw near to God our
selves before we can draw others. We must
have an assurance of our own safety before we
can go down to save sinners. We are to look
up daily to the living Christ as our Saviour.
Because Jesus is at the right hand of God we
shall live. Within the vail we find the source of
our strength and;steadiness. We are.not to make
u covenant with God, but are to accept the
covenant God has made with His Son. We
shall get inspiration by going within the vail.
The preacher could not forget that he was
speaking in the city where the devoted Payson
preached, who was hated while he lived; but
honored after his death. So the multitude
pitied and revered the dead Christ. The
Christian church is sroken of as looking up to
the living Christ. Service is the mark and
characteristic of the living church. We are
to go forth without the camp.
In this service, magnetism is good; but mag
nanimity is better. Christianity is radiating
power. Christians are to 60 to men with the
Gospel, to seek and to save the lost The
preacher is to remember that theology is not
the Gospel. The former is the skeletons the
latter is the living body. We are TO go forth
among the poor and miserable to save them.
The Gospel is a scandal and reproach, but it is
for the world and we are to carry it to ALL
Where there is a lost one, there we are to 60.
Rev. J. McWhinnie, in his own behalf and
in behalf OF. the Free street church, gave Dr.
Small a most hearty and cordial welcome as a
UNCONVENTIONAL fellow laborer, and Rev. Mr.
Fem said pleasant words of welcome in behalf
of the Congregational churches of the city,
and Lev. DR.. Kicker welcomed him to the
Baptist brotherhood of the State. To these
Rev. DR.. Small made most appropriate re-
Spouse.
Other ministers participated in the services
acceptably, and the singing by the choir was
excellent. A large congregation was present
to enjoy the interesting services.