Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-04-07
sABDArH SERVICES.

| sABBArH SERVICES.
skeeie Commences His P.stsrate.
| AT THE FIRST BAPTIST.
| The pastor, Rev. Mr.. Tilden, preached
Text. Rom. VI-I5: "What then: shall w
sin, because We are not under The Law? God
| forbid"
| Ar THE EPISCOPAL
The rector. Mr.. Gwynn, delivered remark.
in relation to the proposed new church edi.
flee. in the forenoon. In the evening he took
for his subject, ''Chri.rs Kingship on the
Cross and in Paradise" Mat. XVII: 3s-37.
AT THE FREE BAPTIST.
Mr.. Cox, of the Lewiston theological
school, preached at the Free Baptist church.
Text, Heb. IL :3.''How shall We escape if we
neglect so great salvation." Our salvation
Is great in its accomplishments, and great in
Its proclamation. 1t i. true that salvation is
provided for all, but neglected bv some. In
closing all we're advised not to neglect family
prayer. If these were better attended to the
public services would suffer less.
AT THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL
There was no sermon at the church on
account of other protracted exercises. The
congregation was large. and an offering of
over $500 was made by the people to square
up all indebtedness of the society, or current
expenses, accumulating during the last two
conference years. In the afternoon the pas
tor, Rev. Mr.. Bradlee, preached at Eureka
Hall from Acts 20 :24-"But none of these
things move me-" The principal proposition
was, that the christian life 10 one of abandon
ment-unreserved. complete abandonment to
Christ and his cause-this comprehending
among many others, two important and sub
lime traits: lst. Self forgetfullness; I'd,
heroic zeal for God and souls.
AT THE UNITARIAN.
The subject of Rev. Mr.. Thacher's sermon
was "Cheerfulness. Text; Matt. Iv-27
''Be of good cheer" What a charmed at
mosphere encircles cheerful people. Their
presence is as inspiring as burst of sunlight
on cloudy day. What are the causes of the
rarity of sunny dispositions? Much must bt
attributed to constitutional temperament
Sad and sulky dispositions are hereditary
The monotony of toll is another cause of de-
preston and irritability. Unused power
causes much unhappiness. When cheerful
ness is not natural with us we must cultivate
it. Believe that what ought to b. and
is best to be, will be. This faith will make
our duties easier, our sympathies more ready
our hearts kindlier, or saddest partings moi
all joyless or hopeless, and the ills of life
will not make us gloomy and frowning, bu
cheerful and joyous.
Ar THE UNIvERsALIsT.
The text from which the pastor discourset
| ia nd in Matf ssTha liDbf Of h.
body is the eye: if therefore thine eye bt
single, thy whole body shall be full Of light.
The eyes of the body are wonderful part o
its mechanism. Through them we have the
power of vision that by which we are largely
guided and controlled in the material world
The eyes Of the soul are faith and conscience
Through these we have knowledge of Goo
and spiritual things. But as things may bt
incorrectly seen by the physical eye when i
is disordered, or some perverting medium
comes between it and the object seen, so the
eyes of the soul are blinded by pervertng
influence and spiritual things are seen in q
false light. The doctrine of total depravity
was long a blind to the soul, and though it i.
nearly extinct it yet has misleading power
over man. The preacher pointed out vari
GUS other ways in which faith and conscience
are darkened, but urged dependence upon
them and the bible as the best guides ir
spiritual things. Special services will bt
held at this church next Sunday in connec
tion with Easter.
AT THE CONGREGATIoNALIsT.
Rev. Arthur F. Skeele preached his frs
sermon as pastor of the church. There wa'
a large congregation. Text, Romans l6-
.'For am not ashamed of the gospel o
Christ, for it is the power of God unto saliva
tion of everyone that believeth."
Paul had q purpose in preaching the gos
pei, and plan as well. He preached so a;
TO have a conscience void of offence. Hi
purpose was the salvation of sinners, his plan
preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ
He preached Christ as the son of God. HI
preached Christ and him crucified as the
power of God. This was Paufs platform
We ought also to a lopt it as ours, and place
ourselves upon it.
No business is secure that is not insured
No soul is safe which is not saved by the
gospel. Men feel that they cannot sin ans
be saved. Every one who believes is savet
now. The moment the gospel touches q maj
he is safe, but he must be holy. 1t is no
enough to be safe; he must be sound. Safety
is the smallest part of salvation. One mus
be holy Salvation is not so much local il
| heaven, as holy in heart. There is no sub
stitute for righteousness of life. The gospe
is nothing to us, if it does not produce that
Is the gospel power in your life? Ther
may you say: 81 am not ashamed OF tn
gospel of Christ.