St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-04-12
VOLUME 51---NUMBER 2646.

old gods were cast out from the Ha-
waiian island. Swept of these and gar
nished for something else, that island
sat on the sea, waiting. Now, what
shall enter in and dwell theref Some
seven spirits worse than the first, hast
ing hither from the Marquesas or the
Feejees So we fear, but what is that
sail heaving up on the southeast hori-
zOn9 That is the brig Thaddeus, ar
rived at this very juncture from Bos-
ton, with Hiram Bingham and Asa
ThurstOn, and they enter in and dwell
there, putting in to that generation the
family life and Bible truth that made
a New England out of wild Indian
lands and soon made New Hawaii.
Pele cast out and Christ come in. Put
that slide in the stereopticOn of today
and it's magnifed outline on the screen
of the globe almost fits the juncture
we are in.
At 100 strategic points some an
cient spirit of darkness is going out or
gone. The hearts of nations are being
emptied or swept of musty demonisms,
doors and windows open, waiting.
What shall come inf What do you
and L as Christian disciples think
should be put in 1t needs 100 brigs
Thaddeus; 10000 Binghams and
ThurstOns, there, viz. : where the isles
are waiting for His law and continents
to be Kingdoms of His Christ.
Here Mr.. Fairbanks gave a graphic
account of the edict against Christian
ity in Japan, followed by the entrance
of Christianity into the nation and the
present effort to make it the state re-
ligion. But as there was not time to
circumnavigate the globe he urged his
hearers to procure and read DIR. Pier
sons "Crisis of Missions," and DIR.
Strong's "Our Country" Continuing,
Mr.. Fairbanks said
The problem is whether at this juno
ture one unclean devil or more having
gone out, as, for example, slavery,
seven more may not be let in, either
by the gate of the sea, immigration, or
by domestic generation out of politics
or money rings, slums and saloons.
At such iuncture life is worth living :;
for the opportunity is commensurate
with the peril. We think that up in
our little Vermont corner there is little
to do. But Vermont is perpetually
emptying herself into the great sea of
affairs and though little among the
thousands, has left the print of her
thought and life on the nation. Out of
her have gone governors and rulers !;
new ones are rising in our homes and
schools; a few trained well here will
lead multitude soon on the broad
field.
But it all epends-depends on what
sort of principles are put into our
young people. 1t does not fatter us
to be told that the unclean spirit of
Mormon was Matched in Vermont. But
if it will stimulate us to a better sup
port of our domestic mission work,
then let us repeat the unwelcome
statement, resolved that history shall
not repeat itself on that fashion among
our green hills. 1t is no small thing to
keep small state like ours properly
furnished with religion. This is our
work first and ours wholly. No brig
Thaddeus will be coming to us, though
we furnished the original Bingham
that went out in the brig Thaddeus.
Being together under the call of our
Governor today, think it right to say
the religious ministries of all sorts here
in Vermont need far more attention,
prayer, and loyal support, and they
need it Immediately, before the incur
sions of any more spirits worse than
we have had already.
The parable we have been hovering G
about today leaves this truth with us
that man needs more than deliverance.
To be delivered is vast relief, but to
be furnished with, this only is life.
What doth it signify to get poison of
the stomach, if sweet food be not sup
piled to fill that emptiness "Give
her something to eat," was our Saw
iour's first prescription after the magic
words, "Talitha cumi." The victory
over the death which just now had pos
sessed the child seemed the greater
marvel; yet L suppose if we saw ii
correctly, the quiet process of recelv-
ing and assimilating the daily food
was the true marvel, the unfailing
wonder of life to this day.
Our Lord cast out many unclean
spirits, and the people were amazed
thereat they scarcely noticed the in
flowing of his gracious spirit which
gave life and beauty, yet this gentle
process made the difference between a
soul radiant with love, and a lost and
last state worse than the first. 1t is sc
still. Under guidance of the spirit OF
Christ our work must be chiefly of the
constructive sort. We have to oppose
the bad, repress it, if possible, drive ii
out from the EeighborhOod of our life
but our life work is to give such grace
as we have first taken in. 1t is true tC
a degree as in Whittier's thought:
When shines the light of holy lives
| Like star beams over doubt;
Each sainted influence Christlike, drives
Some dark possession out.
Yet more likely it is guiding some
bright hope or purpose in to souls neal
by. The work of the church is above
all works of reform in this feature o.
what it has given in Christ's name
Silver and gold hath it none to dis
burse promiscuously, but in the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, "stand up
, thou lame and crippled world" no
only delivered from the grip of the
devil, but able to enter the courts o
the Lords house with praise, and t.
walk the common streets with TIN
flush of new life and strength renewed
perpetually like the eagles.
Help for the Starving in Turkey.
The following sums have been received to
, forwarded to Rev. G. T. Montgomery, Adana, Tul
| key for the starving in his district:
| Previously acknowledged S430
A Friend in Ryegate
In His Name"
] rnII z nd rsny