The Portland daily press., 1886-10-18
TEMPERANCE SUNDAY.
Appropriate Sermons Preached in
Portland Churches.

In accordance with the request of the
Women's Christian Temperance Union, yes
terday was observed as Temperance Sunday,
and several of the Portland divines preached
sermons appropriate to the occasion.
Some of the regular pastors were absent
and the pulpits were supplied by strangers
At the Church of the Messiah in the even
ing. Rev. Mr.. Crosley spoke on 'The present
condition of the temperance cause" Rev.
A. T. Dunn, of the Free street Baptist, took
for his text, ''Belshazzar's Feast" Rev. Mr.
Lowden. of the First Free Baptist, spoke on
''The relation of the church to the temper
ance movement" Rev. DR.. A. K. P. Small
of the First Baptist, preached temperance
sermon in the morning.
At the Congress square Universalist. Rev.
Mr.. Blanchard took for his subject 'The cross
and the new crusade" The text was taken
from the oath verse of the 10th chapter of
Matthew: 'Then said Jesus unto His dis
ciples, if any man will come after me, let
him deny himself and take up his cross and
follow Me-" Flood in the South and hre In
the North startle us again with their mes
sages of mans weakness before the Jury OIL
storm and flame. Hardly have the echoes Of
the earthquake at Charleston died away,
when now from Sabine Pass and Eastport
come the cries of alarm and the appeal for
help. Let us note, however, the difference.
In the South, the disasters have been beyond
mans provision and power. In the. North.
disaster has come after human warning. Ii
the editor of the Standard had been Needed,
the fire at Eastport might have been prevent
ed, or greatly lessened. 1t is for the preach
er, as well as editor, to sound alarm, There
is danger to the republic To see 1t, partly
to measure it, to show the one sufficient pow
er to overcome it,, was the purpose OF the
sermon. He should speak on The cross
and the new crusade-for God, and home,
and native land" The cross, as symbol OF
the spirit of Christ; the need of gathering
host who are ready to deny themselves that
they may co-work with God for our homes
and our country.
Mr.. Blanchard then spoke of the National
Woman's Christian Temperance Union and
of the session which is to take place at Min
neapolis this week. He paid high tribute
to the devotion of the noble women who
compose the convention. lie could not al
ways agree with them, but he never ceased
to admire and respect. He was glad to re-
spond to their invitation. 1t seemed to him
his duty to co-work with them as far as pos
sible.
Proceeding to the calculation of his theme,
Mr. Blanchard said that he placed the word
Gross" first in his subject, because he wished
that society needed far greater amount of
the spirit of Christ-the spirit OF self-denial.
The cross was the symbol of that spirit.
Churches abound, but self-denial is not su-
Christ and multitudes of his professed disci-
pies. To obtain this spirit of self-denial-
the witness of our fidelity to the Master-we
must have more serious thought. This will
produce feeling, and will lead to fitting ac-
tion.
He believed that serious thought would
show that only the power of Christs spirit
can redeem the world. Men may look 70 law,
OF science, or self interest, or art, or liIera-
ture, as much as they please, but it is only
when the Cross commands men that power
comes to regenerate the individual and the
commonwealth. He asked, therefore, for
greater thought concerning the mission OF
Christ. Then, in his spirit. we are to think
of God and home and native land. Surely
Ged cannot will that intemperance should
exist. Surely we must see that home and
country are in danger from the desire for in
toxicatng liquors and the power OF liquor
sellers.
Let men ask themselves what God would
have them do. 1t seemed to him clear that
total abstinence is demanded by the spirit of
the Cross. Men must see the awful raw
ages of drink There may be great improve
ment, but there is awful ruin even now.
Men must have courage to proclaim their
determination not to use intoxicating
liquors as beverage. Science is discoun-
tenancing their nse even as medicine, but
we must let our physicians decide for the
present In business life, men often drink
wish to be 'sgood fellows" Let men have
the courage of their convictions.
Mr.. Blanchard dwelt upon the power of
the saloon in political life. He did not
speak as a partisan. He never would thus
speak in pulpit. He had party affiliations.
but he respected every mans convictions.
He must, however, ask men to see the great
fact of the colossal power OF the saloon. The
time had come for union on one point at
least-the destruction of this enemy Of the
republic. Men may differ as to use or absti-
nence, but surely the immense majority
must decide that the saloon is the enemy of
God and man. The sermon closed with an
appeal to join the army OF the new crusad-
ers. Men, as well as women, can belong to
this in the spirit. Then men, with their
votes, and women, with their prayer, can
work for "God and Home, and Native
Land"
At Chestnut street church yesterday morn
ing Rev. Dr. BashfOrd spoke upon 'The
Progress in the Temperance Reform" He
spoke of progress Cd in Bible Interpretation.
Whatever may be the outcome IN regard to
the wine theory the principle of love will
secure total abstinence upon the part Of all
who love humanity.
w OClCubiuC AO6AOoo- -OhoCA shio AOoU
he spoke of the progress which has been
made by chemists, scientists and physicians
in regard to the true nature of alcohol. He
gave some interesting facts in regard to Lon
don hospitals and London physicians and
dwelt upon scientific temperance instructions
in our schools.
Gid Social Progress-He quoted from Rev.
Mr. Daniels testimony in regard to the
progress of total abstinence In England and
very best society to-day.
QV) Organization-He here dwelt upon
the work of the. W. G. T. U. with its six
great departments and its forty-two sub
divisions, all thoroughly organized and
offcered; The temperance sentiment Is
prohibition will eventually come to the
country through some political party. In
conclusion he thought that the great motive
in this reform is found in Christ and that
the reform is as sure to triumph as the king
dom of heaven is to come.
The School of Fine Arts,