The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-08-31
PULPIT AND PLATFORM.
SECOND PARISH.

AT the Second Parish, Rev. DIR. Noble of
Chicago gave an interesting exposition of the
23d Psalm. In the afternoon he preached
from the text in Rev. 21-5. Behold make
all things new" These are among the most
inspiring words in the divine word This
assurance has reference to future time,
when all the precious promises of the Bible
shall have their consummation. 1t heralds a
new creation of humanity. Look first, at the
stupendous sway of the change predicted.
Humanity with all its interests, the wide
earth with its multitudinous evils, is to be
renovated and raised to a new and pure life.
What a work for the divine hand! Again
all this wonderful transformation is to be
brought about by the personal influence and
power of Jesus Christ. He had seemed to be
temporarily in the power of hislenemies but
triumphant over death, He, and He alone is to
achieve this glorious change. Not genius, nor
wealth nor power can raise the world out of
its wilderness of sin. The religion of Jesus
alone can accomplish this work Jesus
Christ is the worlds only hope. Jesus, as
against all opposing powers, and also Jesus
as against all OVERLAPPING and corrupting in
fiuences, dogmas and ceremonies, is to do
this great work. 1t must be the living pres
ence and power of Christ that must do land
this must be the power with which Christ
ians work Wemust also follow the meth
DDS of Jesus in our work. We are to bring
all this divine influence to individual hearts
and thus reach the whole race. 1t is man by
man, a soul here and a soul there, one by
one. Again, we must work in the encourage
ment of the divine promise. He that con-
trolls the universe is the one whose word is
pledged and his kingdom will surely come.
In the evening at the Second Parish Mrs
M. A. Hunt spoke ON the subject of temper
ance education in our public schools The
meeting. was held under the auspices of the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Mrs.
l.. nj. N. Stevens read the 94th Psalm and
Mrs Bashford offered re- the opening prayer
might nor by power but by spirit saith the
Lord, and spoke of the sacred and import
ant character of the work in which their or
ganization was engaged, and then introduced
The key word of Mrs. Hunts address was
despotism She referred to the deSpotism of
the Old World. supported by standing ar
mics, crushing the bodies and souls of men.
own time-that of the majority-of habit, of
appetite especially of the appetite for strong
drink. This despot is petted and cherished
In the families and homes of our land. She
spoke Of the deleterious effect of alcohol up
on the delicate tissues of the body and of
the danger of the least tampering with so
dangerous poison. She referred to par
ticular text book that contained most per-
niciOus teaching upon this subject Only
few States have outlawed this deSpot-strong
drink; our great danger lies in the apathy of
the people upon this subject What ought
to be done? We should seek to reach the
children. Fifteen States have passed laws
providing for the instruction of the children
OF the public schools in reference to the eff
fects of alcohol and narcotics upon the hui
man system. She spoke of the Importance
OF publishing the right kind of text books
upon this subject, and of the duty of all to
take personal interest in this matter. Many
cities and States are looking to Maine for
right action on this subject, and for faithful
~ carrying out the spirit of the law enacted
by our legislature.
After Mrs Hunt had concluded Mrs Ste
vens referred to the action of the school
boards of our towns and cities in regard to
meeting the requirements of the law, and to
the character of the text books in use. There
was not large audience present, but the
hearers were much interested in the exer-
cises of the evening.
FIRST BAPTIST.
In the morning at the First Baptist, Rev.
DIR. Small preached from the text in Gen.
2S:19 "And he called the name of the place
Bethel, but the name of that city was called
Luz at the first" The theme of the sermon
was the wide contrast between the two con-
ditions, nearness to God and separation from
him.
NOTES.
Rev. C. A. Marsh returned from his yaca-
ton and occupied his pulpit at Woodford's
yesterday preaching his anniversary sermon.
Tonight there will be a reception at the
church veStry to which all are invited