The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-12-01

The annual sermon of the Portland Benev-
olent Society was preached at the First Parish
church last evening, in the presence Of good
sized audience. The music by the choir was
admirable and gave great pleasure. The SCRIP
lures were read by Rev. Mr.. Dalton, the pray
or was offered BY DR.. Hill, and the sermon de-
livered by Rev. Mr. Daniels, of which the fol-
lowing is an abstract:
The great problem of the years has been
rightly to interpret life. Each age has worked
upon the problem with results peculiar to it.
SELF. The progress has been onward toward
the recognition of humanity and individuality.
In the 16 III century liberty dawned for man.
Thought, judgment and conscience asserted
themselves. Christianity began to deal with
man as man. and so caught at the practical
meaningsof its own teachings.
The present ago is the age of the people.
Formerly humanity was a surging breastwork.
A few kings and noblemen were distinct, the
mass of men blur. They have now emf rged
into dstincJness. The spirit OF the times is
democratic, humane.
Those things throughout the universe which
were common and vulgar have been lifted into
a high place by the patient research of great
minds who deemed snch labor noble. Science,
art and literature have moved along these
lineg. We choose now those subjects which
mean most for the people. There are new SEN
timents in man. deeper, gadder, more hui
name, more christian. The new command
ment ia being recognized, What we have
called the spirit of the times is tbs spirit of the
gospel. The power at work In the hearts of
men ID a Person; His name is Jesus because
He saves from sin. Differ as we may in
thought we cannot read impaftiaily the record
OF the race, bat we see its trumphs advancing
in the all-prevailing spirit of Christ. We feel
the great on-comiDg tide of Christ-like benev-
oleDce.
To look over the records of this society we
find the long lists Of gentle offices of love to
those whose days have once been fair. Call it
by whatsoever name, the society noodles dis
tinetivelY Christian idea. Write it in fl am
ing letters where all can read, the words of
the Lord Jesus Christ "He that would be
greatest among you let Lin be the servant of
ALL" The religion of Christ teaches care for
the widow, the orphan, the fatherless, the dis
tressed. 1t is this whence proceeds all charity;
this prompts to all deeds calculated to elevate
ths human race; this is the only inspiration of
this honr, the Spirit which calls us here.
The times call not tor the excuses of hard
times and small income, but for economy with
sacrifice, that there may be gifts of benevc-
lence. The mote of lessened income is beam
of sorrow to the poor. If this call involves
sacrifice, silent voice whispers: "Inasmuch
as We have done it unto one OF the least of
these my brethren, We have done it unto me-"
The address was an earnest appeal for
broader and deeper conception OF the true
Christian spirit of we'll doing; an exhortatoa
to bear the real gospel with Loves message to
the a5odes and hearts of sorrow and want.
After the sermon there was music by the
choir, and the benediction was delivered by
DIR. Hill