Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-05-19

Ceremonies ~ the Pastors 1t the several
Churches.


Mr.. o. b. Tracy delivered the sermon and
took for text Job 14-l4. If man die
shall he live again? The return Of spring
With budding trees, the springing forth of the
flowers from the mossy bank, the northw ard
flight of birds and all things that charm the
eye and please the fancy, prove to rs that
there il life beyond the grave. Natures
teachings to insect, to bird and to animal are
always truthful. It does not intend that
shall perish until all its best desires
are fulfilled, and our souls are not excep-
tons. Every particle in our bodies is re-
newed once in seven years Is it more won
derful that our souls are immortal! But
there is foundation for hope in mans soul
NOR tenable than these things The long
ing in man for something higher proves that
the body is but the casket of an immortal
soul. In answer to the cry of grief at the
death Of friend comes the assurance Ct life
after death. If you ask why man shall live
and animals die / answer because man
aspires. Godward impulses give to man his
dignity. Revelation verifies nature and gives
light to instruct. We read that man shall
live again. The scriptures do not try to
prove it. 1t is an undisputed fleet, ''In my
fathers house are many mansions"
Ar THE METHODIST.
Rev. w. S. McIntire, of Waterville, occu.
pied the pulpit of the Methodist church. and
founded his sermon on Second Chronicles,
20 20. Faith is the assent of the mind to
the truth of what is declared by another. rest
ing solely on his authority and veracity."
Has God furnished no evidence with his re-
Quirement to believe him? In order for us
to believe what a person says we must know
them to be truthful. Gods character is re-
vealed 10 us in his works and his word, and
these agree. He is CONSTANT and truthful.
We may know if person is truthful or not
by examining his record to see if he has done
as he promised. God made promises to Isaac
and the children of Israel, and we learn the
record that failed not ought of any good
thing which the Lord had spoken unto the
house OF Israel" He made many promises
Christ, many of which have been
fulfilled, and all will be. But we have not to
go back so far. He has made promises to his
people that are good now, they have
been and are being tested every day, and
millions of witnesses bear witness to his fidel-
ity.
AT THE CoSGREGATIoSALIsT.
Rev. A. f. Skeele took for his text Psalms
l07 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say So
Subject, 1.-The duty of religious speech"
This duty suffers great neglect, because of
the difficulties which besets it. Religious
speaking is apt to run into one of two ex-
tremes, either formality or profanity. To
avoid these extremities it must be natural to
approach in tone and in manner. The text
teaches that religious speech is duty laid
upon all christians, that all who have been
redeemed are commanded to let it be known,
and to speak their thanks unto the Lord.
Also that testimony is to be limited by ex-
perience, never speaking except sincerely
and truthfully and thi d, that the word is of
the Lord. He takes the responsibility, and
cares for the result. This thought gives
fidelity, firmness and honesty in our speech.
Ar THE UNITARIAN.
Rev. Mr.. Thacher occupied his pulpit, TAX
ing for his text Luke 10 81: Lowing God
with the mind" There is q difference be-
tween loving God with the heart and with the
soul and with the mind. To love God with
the mind il to search for him thoroughly
wherever he has revealed himself. To reason
is simply to listen to the evidence. If God
is represented as cruel and unjust, willing
that men should suffer eternal woe, taking
pleasure in the death of his son, These
things are contrary to the thought of God
that is in US. and we will worship no God
who is lower that a noble man. If man has
no time to investigate the religious questions.
he should have no time to believe. The
credulous man is father to the liar and the
cheat. Because people find joy and peace in
believing certain doctrines does not give them
the right to say that they are true.
Ar THE ITyIyERsAIIsr
Rev. l. J. Mead preached from Psalm 10Y
.. "For he satisfeth the longing soul and
filleth the hungry soul with goodness" The
natural wants of human nature, implanted
by the Creator, are fully met by him. This
was illustrated by reference to the provision
for meeting the desire for compansionship,
for knowledge, for satisfying the sense of the
beautiful and sublime, and for cultivating
special gifts. Spiritually considered, the
longings of the soul must be pure, unselfisn,
Christian. in order to be gratified in the
manner EXPRESSED in the text. The high
aim, pursued from gospel motives, brings
peace and joy. In the providence of God
every righteous longing, all spiritual hunger
ing, shall be satisfied.
AT THE FIRST BAPTIST.
The sermon was BY Rev. DIR. Pepper Of
Colby. Text-Col l-2S: Whom we preach,
warning every man, and teaching every man
man in all wisdom; that we may present