The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-12-27
PULPIT AND PLATFORM.
CONGRESS SQUARE CHURCH.

NON6hESS SQOAKE CHURCH..
At the Congress Square church, last even
ing. Rev. Henry Blanchard delivered his lee
ture, "Christ the co-worker of working
men, to good-sized audience. MIR. Blan-
chard took as his text part of the third
verse of the sixth chapter of the Gospel, ac-
cording to st. Mark; SIS not this the carpen-
ter?" He referred, in commencing his re-
marks, to the celebrated picture entitled,
"The Shadow of the Cross" and said that
Christ was a working man, who had often
felt bodily fatigue So were many Of His
disciples, although it is not true that they
were ignorant men, Some we know were
highly educated and others derived educa-
ton from their connection with Christ and
His religion.
Reforms originate with educated men The
great reformers in the church were men who
had been highly educated, and men who are
are today laboring for the working men are
those who are leaders in thought and knoWl-
edge. Mr.. Blanchard mentioned the names
OF many of the worlds famous reformers.
ana urged working men to accept the guild
ance OF scholarly and able leaders
Christ is the co-workcr of workingmen
through His appeal to their employers.
While many calling themselves Christians
are unjust in their dealings with their fell
lows. many are actuated by desire to use
all with whom they are connected fairly and
honestly. Much good is being done by the
industrial partnerships formed between en-
ployers and employees, a notable example of
this being found in the case of the pleasant
business relations existing between the own
er and help in the manufacturing establish
ment of Ara Cushman of Auburn. The lee
turer spoke Of the hopelessness of a struggle
by the W0rklngmen against combinations of
capitalists, and urged patient waiting for a
Detterment in their condition through the
use of proper influences.
Christ also appeals to workingmen through
His religion. He was nottingham, and
remembered the men who labored and
worked for their good.
SECOND PARISH CHURCH.
A very, large audience gathered at the Sec
ond Parish church yesterday afternoon, to
enjoy the Christmas service, which, according
to custom, is always held at this church. The
music was of the true order of worship.
The hymns, 'Hark the herald angels sing
10! God our God has come" and "GOd with
us, o glorious name," were full of inspira-
ton. Gounod's "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord
God" in reverential strain, was followed by
the Joyous Let us now go even unto Bethle-
hem,' and;the always devout "He shall find
His tiock,D from Handel. These, together
with the Scripture lessons, led to the sermon
by the pastor, Mr.. Daniels, from Matt 2:1
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea -
The sermon traced the times and season of
| Christ's Advent; the history of Christmas
observance, in gifts and rejoicings and in
the calls TO Christian consideration. The
| whole service was q united gathering of
| Scripture truth in Scripture language, bear
| ing upon the observance of Christmas as
! worthy the Christian church in all the world
| the one festival which touches humanity and
makes all the world kin.
The Sabbath school Of this church enioyed
a delightful Christmas tree and festival
on Saturday evening. The vestry reSounded
with the cheers Of happy voices. The school
also gave Christmas concert exercise last
evening, tne audience filling the vestry. The
songs, reeltatlons, and Scripture verses given
Dy the children, all gathered around the
great theme OF the day, "Joy to the world. y
FIRST PARISH CHURCH.
The First Parish church looked very pref
ty in its Christmas dress yesterday. The
pulpit was banked with evergreen and bore
in the center, in white immortelles, the let
tiers l H. s., in monogram. Over the pulpit
was suspended large cross, and wreaths OF
evergreen and immortelles were suspended
from the gas brackets about the church. DR.
hill delivered an address, after the morning
service, at the exercises of the Sunday
school, which was especially adapted to the
children. A beautiful hymn was especially
written or this occasion, by Rev. DR.. Hill
remarks were made by the superintendent.
Mr.. Geo. z. Burgess, and lovely trio was
sung by Mrs. Young, Messrs Thurston and
S na1Ead !; Inc choir sang The people that
'Hallelujah, And there were Shepherds "
and Guardian Angels"
CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE coNcEp.
The festival of Christmas was observed
with the usual solemnity at the Cathedral OF
the Immaculate Conception. Hghmass was
celebrated at 8 o'clock a. M, by Rev. T. p,
Linehan, and again at 10. 80 a. M, at which
hour Rt. Rev. James A. Healy preached an
eloquent and instructive sermon on the Cos.
! pei of the day. Vespers were sung and Ben.
| ediction of the Blessed Sacrament given M
| 5o'clock in the afternoon. The grand ca.
thedral, during the different services, was
brilliantly illuminated, and presented an i'm.
| posing spectacle. The singing, under the di
rectlon Of the efficient organist, Mr. George
M. Qulmby, was of the usual high order.
The representation of the manger, in the ca
thedral, is most realistic.
NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.
Yesterday forenoon, at the New Jerusa-
lem church, there was Christmas service
for the children, who occupied seats in the
front of the church and took part in the ser.
vices The pastor, Rev. Howard c, Dun
ham, preached an appropriate sermon, tax
ing as his text st: Luke, ii, 10: Behold, /
bring you good tidings of great joy, which
shall be to all people," The church was ap-
propriately trimmed and there was a large
attendance.
ST. DoMINIC's CHURCH.
The joyous natal day of the Saviour was
fttingly celebrated at st. Dominic's church.
The first mass was sung at o'clock, by the
pastor, very Rev. John w. Murphy, and the
second at 1890 a. M, by Rev. G. OCallaghan,
at which time the pastor preached an able
sermon. Vespers were sung at O'Clock,
The musical programme was varied and well
rendered, and reflects much credit upon the
accomplished organist, Miss Fannie Egan
and the director, Mr.. James Watts.
GOSPEL MISSION.
Rev. d. B. Randall preached at the Gospel
Mission yesterday afternoon, and Mrs. Pear
son conducted services in the evening, after
which laroa1v attapdad oonsaoro4;o., -.