The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-08-11

SECOND PARISH.


In the afternoon, Rev. DR.. Stevenson, Of
Montreal, preached at the Second Parish
church. His text was from Romans, $751;
"What shall we then say to these things? If
God be for US, who can be against us?" Paul
saw the spiritual life and power of the Gospel.
The Gospel is mighty power of God, and
thus it presented itself to the wide reaching
and poetic Imagination of the Apostle. If we
thought more earnestly, we should see more
perfectly the divine power of the Gospel. The
Gospel is source of perennial ioy to those
who receive it. The heart of man has aver
longed for God and the human soul cries ont
for the living God. But how unsuccessful has
the search been with the mass of menl And
yet this blind search for God served to keen
alive in our race the wish for m ore hight. God
met this desire in part by giving the law from
Sinai, but met it fully in the Gospel of Christ.
With this blessed news the darkest passages of
life are made luminous with divine light. The
Gospel tells us that all things work together
for the good of the believer. 1t is living
force in the soul OF man. All unbelief fades
from its presence, and it will win it's glorious
way. Thus will Christ come to us if we will
permit Him to have access to our hearts.
Again the facts of the Gospel will bear fire.
quent review. The more we think of the Cos
pei the more glorious will it appear to u.s. It
is wise to keep the truth before the mind. We
need more constant thought upon it that it
may be more wildly impressed upon the heart.
We need to draw nearer to the spirit and
teaching OF Paul; doing this, we shall seek to
commend our divine Redeemer to the PERISH
ing around us. If We would know Christ we
must draw near to him and mediate upon
him. If we know Christ, doctrine and life
viii! be right. Again, soundnesS in the faith
Is indicated by the life. If the doctrine of
Christ is in the heart, it will direct our entire
life. We shall praise him in life and well as
in lips. Again, faith will eventually make us
conquerors over all that opposes. It is not be-
cause we are seeking God, but because God il
seeking us. BE is seeking his children because
they are lost. If then, we are wandering
from God, let us feturn to Him, for He stands
ready to receive, and pledged to save us.
The sermon was an able and eloquent expo
sition OF the inherent power of the Gospel in
seeking, renewing and saving our lost land
held the close attention OF full congregation.
EDWIN cARswELL AT CITY HALL.
There was goodly number of ladies and
gentlemen at City Hall last evening, to hear
the renowned temperance orator, Edwin Cars
well speak upon his favorite subject. Gen.
Neal Dow was the chairman of the meeting,
and with him upon the platform were S. L.
Carleton, Esq, and Rev. Mr.. Phelan. Mr..
Carswell is an entertaining speaker, and with
his eloquence and powerful arguments he
holds the attention of his hearers from begin
ming to end. The text was every tree that
bringeth forth bad fruit is hewn down and
cast into the fire." The speaker proceeded to
illustrate this truth by good arguments inter-
woven with interesting anecdotes, and showed
what personal influence has done and can do
in society.
NOTES.
The Rev. Julian K. Smyth, of Boston High
lands, preached yesterday morning at the New
Jerusalem church, of which he was formerly
pastor, taking for his subject "Absalom.'