Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-01-01

work tell its own story; and, besides, /
generally look forward too busly for
coming duty to give much thought to
counting results already secured.
have been in the pulpit each Sabbath
for which | am responsible, with the eX-
ception of seven. | regret so few eX-
changes with my fellow pastors, because
pastoral exchanges are a prominent way
of maintaining fellowship with sister
churches.
| have divided the whole parish into
thirteen routes and endeavor to call at
every house at least once a year, and as
much oftener in special cases of sickness,
ETC., as possible. Consulting my records
| find the number of calls to date in 1885
to be $40.
| have had much to encourage me in
cordial welcomes from house to house
and in words of generous appreciation.
IL. What profitable lessons may be
drawn from the years experience?
History is always a helpful teacher if
properly interrogated.
We are devoutly thankful that the roll
of those called from earth was no longer.
Great the loss when so much ability and
piety, so much of helpful example ceased
among us save as they live in memory
and by the law of influence.
Did you observe. as those names were
read there was not one child's name !?
that no brother of the church, and only
two of the congregation beside, had been
taken? Let us not fail, here and now, to
breathe aprayer of Thanksgiving for such
sparing mercies-truly remarkable, in
view of our numbers. My dear friends,
should not these mercies speak to US in
tones of admonition and serious instruc-
ton? Perhaps the reason for such for
bcaranCe was because we had been I'M
faithful to duty, and so should have only
entered upon the rewards of unfaith-
fulness had we been called away.
We have "A large list of absent members,
explained in part by our being the col
legc church. | suggest a committee of
correspondence to send our Christian
greetings to brethren and sisters in dis
tant places, and get their return words
of fellowship.
The work i'll the outlying districts
may be wisely commended to your pray
crS and support. You will rest best
from weekday toll by Sabbath diligence
for the Master. DO you wish to be fresh
for duty on Monday morning. and eager
to lay hands to it: Go to the alms-houSe
and comfort the poor and intirm. or 90 to
school house, teach in its Sabbath
school, or sing and pray with the Chris
tians there.
wish to make an appeal, with all ear
nestneSs, for the church conference
meeting of Thursday evening. You wish
this church to grow in numbers and
spirituality. You hope and pray that
your children may early give themselves
to the Savior; you wish revival of rei-
gon might reclaim backsliders, arrest the
careless and bring all into closer union
with the Master. Did you ever know a
church to prosper in these respects that
had no prayer meetings, or only life
less form?
And here, let me ask, Do not our mer-
chants slave unnecessarily? Monday
and Saturday evenings are all they need
to give to customers. Economy, strength
and time, family life, Intellectual culture
Inn nd Il oil hat I'm.
mess house in town, with the possible
exception of bakeries and meat markets
should not be opened after teas on other
evenings. Then this Chinese wall
against the prayre meeting would be tax
en- away-then clerks could attend; and
those from other towns would get ac-
quainted with the church, and the latter
would have better chance in her diff.
cult competition with the saloon.
| trust one thought may go with us il
all the coming year, nay in all the years
the church of Christ is more than mer,
human institution. An invisible form
walks up and down these aisles, and tar
ries in pulpit and pews. Were our eye
opened we should see prints of nails in hi
hands and feet, and Il thorn-pierced brow
Devotion to this church, in any way, Il
its edtice and appointments, to its gospe
ordinances, to its membership, to its Ri
bic instruction, to its songs of praise o
service of prayer, if from pure heart, i
personal devotion to the Lord Jesu
. Christ This it is that gives significanc
to all the foregoing story.