Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-04-28

Ar THE FIRsr BAprrsr.

Ar THE FIRST BAPTIST.
Rev. DIR. Pepper, of Cslby, occupied the
pulpit of the Baptist church, preaching an
able sermon from First Corinthians, XIV IA:
And if Christ be not risen, then is our
preaching in vain. and your faith is also vain. -
Theme: ''The resurrection of Christ
Ar THE EPISCOPAL
The pastor preached a sermon appropriate
to the commencement of new church year
from the second Corinthians xI:I4: "For
seek not yours. but you." He defined the
relation of pastor toward his people, and
outlined to some extent the work he expected
the people to cooperate with him in doing
the coming year. In the afternoon Mr.. Brad
lee preached at Eureka hall, from GAL VI IA.
At the close of which a praise and testimony
meeting was held.
AT THE FREE BAPTIST.
The sermon was by Mr.. Getchell, of Bates
Theological School. Text, John II IS What
soever he saith unto you, do it. The words
of the text are as forcible to-day as when
spoken eighteen hundred years ago. We are
to work with the things we have do the du-
ties nearest at hand. God asked Moses what
he had in his hand. and bid him make use of
it. 1t 10 Gods to direct; ours to obey. We
need not be afraid to trust all in God. Our
not only harms US, but endan-
gers others. When our hearts are in the
work it will not be irksome. ''Whatsoever
ye do, do it heartily as unto the Lord" Do
whatsoever God asks. If the stone need to
be rolled away that the sinner may behold
Christ by it. To obey and serve God is the
highest privilege of man. In closing,a stron Q
appeal was made to the large number of
young men present to embrace the first op
portunity and work for Christ.
At THE USIvERsALIsT.
The pastor. Rev. Mr.. Gledhill, reached
from the text found in Mark Nv 80: 'Where-
unto shall We liken the kingdom Of heaven?"
chiefly concerning the character and mis-
sion of Christ. Touching the kingdom of
heaven he said that whenever men assemble
themselves together and live according to the
word of God, there the kingdom of heaven is
1t is a simple thing to enter the kingdom of
heaven, but to enter fully and completely
into the spiritual life is great work. Men
are able to enter the kingdom of heaven
without being able to solve all the mysteries
of the bible and the future life. This last he
urged all his hearers to undertake in a prac-
teal manner, letting puzzling questions and
speculations go. as of inferior consequence.
AT THE CoNGREGATIoNATIsr.
The pastor. Rev, Mr.. Skeele, preached
from the text Second Corinthians v:24
s'For the love of Christ constraineth u.s."
Wherever we see the application of power
we love to find its motive. We see q great
vital force at work in the life of Paul What
is the motive power? 1t is the love Of
Christ This is both Christs love to us and
our love to him. Like the natural forces of
gravity and magnetism, it is mutual. Let
this love of Christ come in upon us, return
our love to him, and it becomes a power
over our lives. 1t cOnstrains US that is. it
keeps us within the bounds of the christian
course, it represses us at points of waste and
error, and by thus restraining US it constr aims
us forward in the right way, which is marked
BY love to God and love to men, We need a
divine energy for success in the christian
life; an energy constant and everlasting.
The love of Christ is the strongest motive
upon us. and the most effective plea in per-
suadng men to a better life.
Ar THE USIrARIAN CHURCH.
Suject-s.The Lights and Shadows of Ex-
perence." Text, Job l2 2:22: "He discov-
ereth deep things out of darkness, and bring
eth out light to the shadow" The earth
smiles or signs in response to touches which
come from above. 1t is so with ourselves.
Who can understand or control his moods?
We know not whence they are born or how
they move us, yet sway US at their will. Link
succeeds link in our lives without our consent.
There are influences which paralize thought
and will, and break through the strongest
resolutions. Inherited tendencies. edu-
cation and society fetter our will,
violitions are determined by motives,
and motives owe their strength to
our character. shaped under the forces de-
scribed. When habits become fixed, actions
follow with mechanical regularity. Power to
improve character steadily decreases with
years. The old cannot change as easily as
the young. The mind cannot produce other
than its natural fruits. We are to a certain
extent free to will and act. The condition of
our freedom is the ridgidity of natures laws
Joined to our knowledge of these laws. To
understand them is to make them servants,
not masters. But we must not shut our eyes
to the difficulties which beset our freedom.
The condition of the brain, nerves and gener-
al health of the body, external influences such
a. climate. food, and modes of life, produce
mental states which drag the moral in their
train. Destinies of peoples largely depend
upon the physical condition of the countries
they inhabit. External things often rule the
great critical acts of our lives. And are
there not floods of spiritual force which
mould and rule the issues of life Ii forces
from an unseen world affect US. why not liv-
ing beings? How much do they make of the
light and shadow over the landscape OF
life? But outward things are only the
occasions and never the causes of our actions.
Nothing outside can make or mar our being
without our consent. The soul ordains the
use and the issue of all things. Circum-
stances only bring out what IS already there.
Omnipotence is on our side. If the shadow
is over you, God is in the heart of 1t. IL the
sunlight glows on your life, His smile is the
cause of the brightness. His will for you Is
q will without variableness or shadow of
turning.
Yesterday morning as the two O'CLOCK
Pullman had reached point some four miles
a..