The Portland daily press., 1884-10-06
PULPIT AND PLATFORM.


WILLISTDN CHURCH.
At the Williston Church Rev L. H. Hal
lock, pastor, preached in the morning an able
sermon from Psalms XII :17-"I am poor and
needy, yet the Lord thinketh upon me.''
The leading thosght was Gods thoughts
towards man. We know the thoughts of a
person By his looks, words and especially by
his acts. Gods thoughts must be learned
from his word and deeds in bahalf of men. Is
it thing Incredible that among the millions
of human beings God has made now living
and acting, that each should be under his es-
pecial and particulars care. Not So Is not
man Gods GROWING work? Having made man
with all the capabilities of the human mind
a world in itself, shall he not think of him
now? What is tae tone OF Gods Thoughts
toward man? From what God is we know his
thoughts must be holy, ust aud kindly. From
the endowments of man we see that Gods
thoughts are kind. From the unlimited prop
critics, pleasures and problems of nature,
adapted to human use and study, behold Gods
kindly thoughts, chiefly, from history, broad
general, universal. Gods thoughts appear in
his outworkiDg plans, and the kernel OF histo-
~ is Calvary, the Christ of the Redemption!
What thought was needed to devise that
scheme. Thus God thinks of you; what are
your thoughts of GOD?
the impression of the morning services were
deepened not little by the presentation near
the close of the service of four little children
for baptism.
FIRST FREE BAPTIST.
This being the fifth anniversary of the set
Element OF Rev. Mr.. Lowden as pastor of this
church, he made brief though very satisfac-
tory retrospect of his five years of labor in this
city. The church is larger numerically today
than ever before and with its various auxili-
iaries is doing more work at home and abroad.
There have been 95 received as members of
the church; the ordinance of baptism admin
istered to 80; 40 marriages solemnized, and SO
funerals attended
Mr.. Lowden then announced for his text
John vi:5o-"Lord to whom shall we go, thou
hast the words of eternal life." Some did not
comprehend the teaching of Christ. Sone
were looking for present good and hence Ia
their restiveness turned away; but TO the loyal
there vas enough in the hope of eternal life
to quiet and satisfy.
The first line of thought was that man can
moi of himself meet the wants of his own be-
ing. Like the ever restless ocean, like the
surging tide of humanity crowdipg our streets
the mind is never at rest, never satisfied in its
efforts, and this ia the proof that something
higher and nobler is demanded as satisfying
portion. I'd. The nature of the spiritual in
contrast with sensuous wants, and this is
consciousness that the soul is in harmony
with God. 81. We have the full assurance
Christ, aud the inspiration that comes from a
true conception of his teaching is revealed, to-
day in the faithfulness of every Christian
worker from the pulpit to the infant class
teacher.
He spoke of woman's devotion to Christ and
the consequent rewards, by her elevation and
success in gospel work.
MAINE UNITARIAN CONFERENCE.
The Maine Conference of Unitarian
churches is entertained this week by the two
parishes of that faith in this city, from Tues
day evening to Thursday noon. An attractive
programme will be presented, in the shape of
q sermon Tuesday evening by Rev. A. P.
Peabody, d. D.; and one on Wednesday even
ing by DR.. James Freeman Clarke; with other
essays, discussions and addresses occupying
the whole of Wednesday, and part of Thurs
day. The public are cordially invited All
the services will be held in the First Parish
Church.