The Portland daily press., 1886-10-04
PULPITsAN DiPLATFoRI.
CuURcH OF THE MESSIAH.

Yesterday was observed as Memorl Sum |
day at the Church of the Messiah, az the |
platform and altar was covered widow |
ers in memory of those who have lssed |
away. On the front of the altar was arge |
wreath for Edwin S. Shaw, and on the at |
form and table were the following: A pi,w |
of pansies for Gertrude p. Decelle FIN |
her Sunday school classmates; bouquets + |
Inez III. Hopkins and Cora G. Bassett; ere |
and bouquet for Addie L. Graffam; basket f |
Nettie M. Kimball cross and anchors froI
the Sunday school for their classmates, and
bouquet for Mrs. Daniel Goodhue.
Rev. Mr.. Crosley, after the usual opening
exercises, addressed the congregation and
we give an abstract as follows of his re-
marks:
The preacher began by referring to the
fact that the year just past was year of
many years that the ohnroh end parrish hnt
shared in the common ills and sorrows of
human life and hath gathered on this occa~
sion to cherish pleasant memories OF the
departed and to encourage and strengthen
the thought that they should all meet again !;
that those who had gone before were not
dead but more alive than they ever were.
everlasting life, and that they would meet
these friends hereafter, no matter what
skeptics might urge
The preacher paid tender AID grateful
tribute to the memories of Edwin Sumner
Shaw, Mrs. Whittemore, Nettie Kimball,
Cora Baxter, Ada, Nellie and Willie Brad
ford, Addie Louise Graffam, and Lizzie
Lightford. In the past year he said he had
attended Al funerals, and, that in re-
viewing the comfort and consolation he had
been called upon to administer from this
cause, the text came up in his mind Surely
the bitterness of death is past, from l.Sam.
XIV :32, when Agog, king of the Amalskites,
was called before Samuel to receive his SEN
| tence of death, and death itself. The
preacher said it seemed to be plain that the
heather king submitted to death, when he
found he could not escape, and this is the
general impression in regard to all when
death comes that it is inevitable, they can
not eScapeit and therefore become recon-
ciled to it, and that there is no faith in the
matter. The young look forward to life,
while the aged must expect to go, so that
even the heather, like ourselves, look be-
yond this life to higher and be; :er one.
The text implies there is some ltterness
associated with death, especially as far as
time is concerned. In the past Geath has
been terror to most people where life and
immortality have not been brought to light,
but where it has, where the faith of the
soul has penetrated the veil, and where hope
nation and the bitterness of death has been
passed. But under the best conditions
there must be reasons for dreading death,
such as the wasting of the body, the bitter.
ness of parting with friends, false views Of
death, such as the idea of a human soul
being blotted out forever, of suffering for
ever, but these views are fast passing away.
Christ has come, has suffered, died and has
risen again, and more cheerful views are
entertained of the hereafter. The preacher
then quoted from Jesus and PauPs sayings
to show what glorious resurrection awaited
all hplinVprc and plnSnd with these words.
"Beyond deaths cloudy portal
There is a land where beauty never dies
And Love becomes immortal"
There our friends are; there our children
are; there are those that have gone out from
the earth and we shall go to them but they
will not come to us.
GOSPEL MISSION.
Rev. S. f. Pearson, occupied the pulpit at
the Gospel Mission yesterday and preached
twice. In the testimony meeting which pre-
ceded the evening sermon many expressions
of regret were given on account of the sepa-
tion Of Mr. Pearson from the people with
whom he has labored so faithfully and zeal
ously for the past nine years.
At business meeting held by the mem
bers of the church and mission, Rev. ). f.
| Pearson was unanimously chosen president
! of the Mission Association, Mr.. +. }. Rus
| sell was elected clerk and treasurer of the
church. Mrs. S. f. Pearson was elected city
missionary, and she is promised the aid of 3
strong corp of ready and willing assistants
| to help her in her work. Mrs Pearson will
also occupy tho pulpit at the Mission unit
| some other arrangements can be made.
| was also voted to issue circular letter II
the citizens. and that a canvass be made fol
financial aid, that the good work done by th'
| Mission for the past nine years may be con-
| tinued during the present winter,