The Portland daily press., 1889-06-24
cHILpREN's DAY
At the Free Street Baptist and New
Jerusalem Churches.

yesterday was Cnlluren sunday az the
Free Street Baptist church and at the New
Jerusalem church. The floral decorations,
as usual, were very pretty, and the parts
taken by the children very pleasing. At the
Free Street church In the evening Prof. AL
bion w. Small, Ph.D. Of Colby University.
delivered a worry interesting address. The
following is an abstract Of his address,
Everybody has heard of the curious mod
ern invention called the composite photo
graph. Instead Of being an exact likeness Of
one person, 1t is a sort Of averge of the faces
Of twenty or fifty people. 1t shows the most
prominent features common to them ALL If
each one of the subjects has some marked
peculiarity, as leer or grimace or a scowl,
that singularity will be the most noticeable
item in the Photographic average.
Doctrines are composite photographs Of
texts. 1t Is often said that we can prove
anything from the Bible and so we can IL we
use sufficient perversity in putting together
sentences from the Bible regardless of other
sentences which belong with them. and
which modify their meaning. Such proofs
are like composite photographs of deformed
countenances, offered as types Of the human
face.
The doctrines with which we are most IA
miliar are composite photographs of texts
which group themselves around the pro-
clamation, Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ and thou shalt be saved" The most
earnest and practical Christian teachers are
getting more and more In the way Of taking
their working view OF Christian doctrine
from texts that cluster around PauPs saying
1--WE are laborers together with God;" or as
it stands more strikingly In the revised YER
sion, 1--WE are Gods fellow-workers."
An undeveloped negative of this favorite
dootrinal photograph presents the plan of
salvation in this way: The thought Of God
with reference to any one Of us is not filled
out by getting us saved through Christ; 1t Is
only realized by our becoming saviours of
others through Christ Gods plan Is not
executed when we become benefciaries Of
Christ, but when we become redeemers Of
men. Salvation Is not the possession of a
gift brought by Christ from God; 1t Is the
exercise OF the same privilege which Christ
used, that OF devoting life to accomplishing
the will of God.
Prominent points in this undeveloped mega
tive are: First, Christian doctrine proposes
an aim beyond the securing Of personal sal
walton. Second, 1t presents the Christian
life as task. The only privilege that a
Christian has a right to claim is that OF bear
ing heavier burdens than others are willing
to lift. Third, 1t directs to a source Of pow
er sufficient for the work. Fourth. 1t exalts
Christian labor by representing 1t as the
wOrthiest form of service.
A different figure will make the main
thought clearer Doctrines are like candles.
So long as they contain the material Of truth
that has strong affinity for the oxygen OF
circumstances, they give timely light
When that material Is exhausted recourse
must be had to the permanent supply. The
scriptures are like the moon, that will re-
fleet the brightness of the source Of light so
long as this cosmic order endures.
We need no new revelation, but when our
vision OF truth grows dim, we need only look
deeper into the old one.
NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.
Children's Day was observed at the New
Jerusalem church yesterday. The church was
elegantly decked with flowers. The child
rem In the morning occupied the front pews
of the church. The sermon by Rev. III. G.
Durham was delivered especially for the
children. his text being, "In my fathers
house are many mansions" He spoke Of
the spiritual world; Of the glorious and
beautiful things of the heavens as taught in
the writings Of the New Church.
Two infants and little child were bap-
tized. The music was especially appropriate
for the service.
In the afternoon at o'clock a ehildren's
concert was given by the scholars Of the Sab
bath school. In the vestry Of the church
there was profusion of flowers, the organ,
piano, tables and platform being laden with
them. In the center of the platform was an
evergreen arch upon which during an exer-
else called Floral Offering" were placed
various emblems composed Of flowers, such
as standing cross. Greek cross, cross Of
tne society In his Name. narp. star.
a letter signifying the Lord, the Greek let
ters of Alpha and Omega, dove and lamb,
a cup. beside others. Miss TarbOx sang a
pretty solo. There were poems read, reei-
tations, responsive readings. and the music
by the school, rehearsed especially for the
occasion, was very fine. Seven little child
rem recited poem, each one depositing a
bouquet of flowers to the already bounteous
display.
The superintendent, ID. Page Perkins, pre-
| sented TO Misses Edna Raymond. Myra Dun
ham, Nan Kimball, and Mary Thompson for
| faithful attendance the past forty weeks, re-
spectively, pictures. of the Madonna and
| child, "Childhood's days." copy OF the Di-
vine Word and copy Of ''Ben Hur."
The Rev. VIM. b. Hayden who has just re-
turned from Washington, ID. c., spoke to the
| children, as also did their pastor, the Rev.
Howard G. Durham. Mr.. Hayden spoke OF
| the meaning of the prominent flowers, white
and red. Mr.. Dunham spoke of the star:
| symbolZed by the intelligent doctrines as
the purest and truest thoughts Of the mind
| The audience which was large were invited
If they knew Of any one sick, to help them
selves to flowers at the close Of the service