The Portland daily press., 1884-12-08
PULPIT AND pLArFoam.
FIRST PARISH.


Rev. Charles B. Elder OF the HAYES Place
church, South Boston, preached yesterday In
the First Parish church on the subject, Ella
boring together with God" text / Cor. iii. Q,
I'VE are laborers together with God" Paul's
Thought here is sublime. He considers man
and God as united in a partnership, to work
out the ultimate perfection of the world. This
thought is gaining a wide recognition nova
days. 1t is being understood in the words of
Martin Luther that "God cannot get along
without strong men," Man labors with God
IN many ways. Thus with respect TO the pro-
cesses of growth in the natural world, God
gives the opportunities, the ground, the laws
or growth; man on his part contributes his
hands and brain, his industry and intelligence,
Man and God thus labor together to produce
the harvests of grain and the rich products OF
earth. So in the formation and establishment
OF governments-such as this free republic
man assists God. God indeed cannot get along
without strong men to overthrow and destroy
evil and carry out His purposes. Again, in
the matter OF pestilenCes, which often visit
cities and nations, mans responsibility for
their coming is quite as heavy as Gods. If,
however, man observes hygienic principles and
Gods laws Of health, he exerts great influ-
ence in preventing epidemic diseases Man as
sists GOD also in educating the children grow
Ing up IN the worst places of our large cities.
Every Child is in part Gods, in part mans.
Inc organism is Gods, the environment is
ours Man educates childs memory-faith,
hope, in short his religious and moral sense.
We must recognize the principle of the text,
not Tor the purpose of denying the great worth
and value of prayer but to arouse in us
sense OF the great responsibilities resting upon
US in working ont the ultimate greatness and
welfare OF the land in which we live.
STATE STREET
Prof. @. j. lei. Ropes, of Bangor Theological
Seminary, preached at this church YESTERDAY
morning from Matt. ii. $3.50, "Come unto Me
all We that labor and are heavy laden and [
will give you rest" These words were spoken
as our Lord was bidding farewell for the last
time to Galilee.
These words were spoken that We might not
be discouraged at the restrictions of the Christ
ian life. He, the only door into the kingdom
of God, gives this universal invitation. The
whole human race is burdened. All religion
is an attempt to lift this burden. If we are
only conscious of every-daylburdens we do not
understand this invitation in its fullness. It liz
the burden of sin that Jesus would free as
from To those who come He promises rest
Ii We were relieved of our everyday cares we
should soon have other equally difficult to bear
Rest unto your souls-this proves it is the bur
uoii VI ciu tAdt jesus Will remove. Unrest oil
soul is the yearDing desire of the soul for for
giveness Christ reveals God as our loving
Father, ready to receive US. There is no rest
IN rear. Christ knows your burden weary one,
though the world knows 1t not. Christ will
never fail us. He is He who is calling you to.
day. Rest may begin for you this hour, and it
will never end.
NOTES.
Rev. Mr.. Bellows closed his first years pas
torate at the Park street Unitarian church
Sunday. He gave brief resume of his work,
showing that the church was doing we'll. Mr..
Bellows has been decided acquisition to our
Portland pulpits.
At Chestnut st. M. e. church Sunday morn
ing ten were received upon probation. one by
letter and three'into full membership. A very
large audience was present in the afternoon to
hear the pastorsspeak upon temperance.
The Methodist Episcopal Church in the
United States was organized December, 1884,
with about 10000 members. The church now
numbers in all it's branches 8, 1884, goo. Next
Sunday the Chestnut street Oh nrch will devote
the entire day to centennial services.