The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-05-31
What He Was
And What He Did
We Honor Him

|
"For
| What He Was
And What He Did
We Honor Him
| Today"
| The church was densely packed with an
interested congregation, which included
| Bosworth Post, 125 strong, under Com
mander Motley; Thatcher Post, Is strong,
| Commander Williams and Shepley Camp,
| S. of ", % strong, Captain Perry. In the
aundience were also noticed the lady men,
bers of Bosworth and Thatcher Relief
| Corps. The order of exercises consisted of
the following:
Voluntary.
Invocation.
Anthem.
Responsive Reading.
Hymn 630-"A Few More Marchngs Weary"
ScriPtures-Matt. 26 30
Pryer and Responses.
Offering.
Hymn 6S2-"Jerusalem, My Happy Home"
Sermon
Prayer.
Hymn 421-"Onward, Christian Soldiers"
Benedicton.
The following is an abstract of Rev. Mr..
Dunn's sermon
MIR. DUNN's SERMON.
s'For What is Your Life"-James Ala
This question was asked by James eigh-
teen centuries ago, but is equally important
today. He discovered the common error of
every age, that of selfish living. He evil
IDENTIFY detected certain recklessness of
life, forgetfulness,- or ignorance OF the
great end of life We are accustomed to
speak of life as short; but if the days are
properly employed they are sufficient in
number to enable us to accomplish much.
A mans life must not be estimated alone by
his age at death. Some lives have been
lived among us which have shed an influence
for generations, and they have had personal
contact with much that Is important IN hls,
tory. The life which began in 1863 and
ended at st. Helena in 1921 measures time
in history which is of vast Importance to all
Europe and all the world. Napoleon lived
not only in France, but his life was sensibly
felt in Egypt, Austria, Prussia, Russia,
Spain, Italy and England. A complete his
tory of his career is fair history of Europe
for that period. Washington died at 6S, yet
he lived to see much of Importance In the
early history of our nation. 10 recall his
life we have in panorama Ticonderoga,
Lexington, Bunker Hill, Charleston, Valley
Forge and Yorktown.
General Grant was little more than. 63
years of age when he grappled with the last
that short period,--how much under his own
direct supervision. The Mexican coflct
found him an active and efficient participant.
He was an interested observer of the events
leading up to our civil struggle, and all OF
our history since 1861 has been made under
his watchful eye Few men are permitted to
see as much of life in so short time; but
this illustrates how much after all may trans
pire in a life time. Life compared with
eternity is short, but it is long enough to see
most marvellous changes.
An answer to Malloch's question, rs life
worth living?" depends very much upon
what you mean by life. "The life that now
isl is the all important problem with each of
us. Our present purpose filled, the future is
secure. The life we are now living is grand
in its possibilities, and may be glorious in
its achievements Low ideals will surely
dwarf our powers A man never rises above
his ideals. 1t becomes then an important
question. What is life? Why are we here?
Life is not mere existence. Life that is
really worth the name is service for Gods
glory. 1t is both reasonable and scriptural
that man should make the most of himself.
No man has any right to prostitute any of
his powers. The bodily powers were given
for use, and no man abuses them except to
his own loss and Gods dishOnor. The VIOLA
tion of the plainly written laws of nature is
a crime. 1ntemperance, sdebauchery, glut-
tony, incontinence of any kind is sinful. A
clean, strong healthy body is an honor to
God. To care for the body is in part the
mission in life.
The powers of the mind also demand at
tention. Thought is the product of mental
activity. Pure thought is the result of well
trained mental service. Man is responsible
for his thoughts. The true measure of a man
is the standard of his thought. Ignorance is
a sin, and the man who INDUCES the sin is
sinner The present demands of life are for
what we know. Agnosticism is unsafe, If
not criminal. 1t is our duty, as our privi-
| lege, to discipline the mind. There is today,
and alway will be, demand for thoughtful
men. There's plenty of room at the top
Life'S mission also requires the cultivation
of the moral powers: There is in every man a
system of moral philosophy, more or less
developed. Conscience is monitor. The
| moral sense becomes weakened by inactivity,
| or perverted by misuse. We should culti-
| Yate clear, quick perception OF the right.
| Many who started with ample outfit OF body
| and mind have been wrecked, because with
| the headwinds of temptation they had not
| the moral strength to resist. A keen sense
| of right and wrong will go far in making a
| noble manhood. Joined with these, and de-
| signed to be their master, are the spiritual
powers. Man is naturally religious being
| Unborn with the life of humanity is the re-
| ligious sense There is a wish for truth, but
| sin has paralyzed our power for grasping the
| truth. In vain we seek to bridge the chaSm
which separates us from truth and God
| Right here is where the offer of the gospel of
| Christ comes in. The Son of God becomes
| the Son of Man, and he becomes our Saviour
| BE is the bridge between our souls and God.
| Sin separated man from the holiness of God !;
| Christ united them once moro; and now by
personal faith in Christ each soul may come
| back to truly know and love him. This is of
| great Importance in our desire land purpose
| for right living. 1t has to do with the pres
| ent life, and is intensely practical.
TrueSt manhood is the development of all
| of these powers-the body, mind, morals and
| soul. To neglect any of them is to, violate
| plain law, and by so much to thwart the pur-
| pose of life To give attention to them all
| will require all of our time and strength.
| High ideals will keep man busy. Mans
| possibilities, if realized, will cruelty sloth
| and Incidence. Life's opportunities, when
| appreciated, inspire to service. 1t is indeed
nobility to live well, to fill the place for which
n nod itna 10 Hrin
blessing to .the world. Naturally now the
| question is asked by every thinking man and
| woman, How can | best attain this success? !?
| There are four essentials to success in life.
| Ia HighIdeGt-True idealiSm has right
| full place in life. Its power is great in pur-
| pose and achievement. A high aim is essen
| tial to great achievement. General Grant
was one whose thought was beyond SELF and
| whose purpose was based upon sense OF
| right. He gave his service without reserve,
| and his chief aim was to do his part where
needed. IL was not personal honor which
| he sought; it was not the thought OF personal
/ ACKNOWLEDGMENT which urged him on. 1t was
| the one thought of his country's honor and
| safety. Nothing lower than sense of right
| every actuated him and sent him forth. Gen.
| Grant was great because of great ideals
| True greatness finds its beginning in true
| idealsm.
| -PuYpose-Aimless living is worthlessli liy-
| ing. True purpose in life involves the spirit
| of decision; a nerveless opinion will result
| in inaction. Every man needs mind of his
| own. Conviction joined with the spirit of
| application, and fred by true devotion, will
make every man power in whatever he un-
dertakes. Grant had personal convictions.
| He was first convinced of what it was best to
| do, and then he did it. His was purpose
| carefully formed and deeply laid, frequently
| ivolving much hard labor and patient wait
| ing. He succeeded because he knew before
hand what he wished to do. This element of
| character is essential to each of us if our
lives shall be really worth the living.
| @Knowledge. A well trained mind can
| do much in using facts, but itmust have the