Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-04-05
FOUNDATION TRUTHS
4 sermon Preached by Rev. MT. smith
ers at the Union FHsI-Day Service.

The customary union Fast day service
was held in the Centre church this morning.
Rev. ". ;. Smithers preaching the sermon
and Rev. Mcssrs. Parry aud Day partic-
pating in the accompanying exercises Mr.
Smithers's theme was Foundation Truths.
his text being Ezra vi 3--"Let the foun-
dations thereof be strongly laid The fol
lowing brief abstract cmbodies the central
thought Of the sermon, wh ich was eminent
~ practical in its trend
The object for which W. meet today has he-n
suggested 10 us. God has bestowed trust. W., ask
wisdom To knuw how 10 U.s. it, The nation is t.
b. considered Hs an individual Each common
wealth Is one Of the organs of TN, BODY pllltt.
We represent one Of the -xtremities Vet enjoy an
rnviabe influence at the centr. The nations
stability and greatness Is IN its men, not it,
IN its homes. not Its gold and silver We have
talked enough about our material wealth: We
need I" give more attention To- manhood How
can We best develop IN "A man that which ronsti-
tut's manliness, We must get at the f,unda.
We call attention first to the h"Br III, our
first recullections 60 back to that sacred pla,,-
our first impressions arr Of mother: nothing
stands for So much a. this relationships all els. il
built upon it, What the boys and girls shall H..
depends upon il The nation needs nothing -,
much as good mothers How shall W. save the
young mem save the boys BY what iustrl-
mentality Christian fathers and mothers Nut
ali. however, are willing 10 pay the price
Another fpuudatlon-stune is the religious I'm.
No life Is complete unless God is a factor IN il
No man is full grown WIN Is not Christian An
real prosperity is grounded ia such life The
church supplements the work Of the home 10
building this life The world lids loudly for
place in the church and once in She dictate, what
shall H. done Worldly pleasures arr To- h. tuit-
rated II not patruuilrd The cooperation u th,
Christian is sought iu breaking down the sabbath
a. day Of rest and worship The cry If liberty
and Necessity Is raised and IN much dust il raised
that many good people arr blinded
Again we must not pass hy the spciui IN. in
speaking Of fundamental truths II the nome
and religious life he right this ~ Of Necessity h..
pure Mental aud moral qualities arr tT1rr TX.
pournts Of IL than wealth The bottom stratas
must he studied as well a. the top ldlrn,Ss is a
breeder Of vice. be II in the tramp or the fashion.
able time killer The worlds pleasures represent
ed by the dance the theatre, the card table and
the Wine-cup all lead in the same direction. and
TINS on the testimony Of the hest in church and
out of It. The press a potent factor IN mould.
ing social life. II claims 10 bp an educator: il
should, Therefore be- right. and this it cannot h.
u its chief aim is money making Too often il Is
but dissemination of vice. spreading ds,.as.. and
death among the young Of our land And Vet We
have no redress
Lastly call attention to our poiiticnl hf.
the pulpit must not dabblp in politics must not
INK politics with religion. II Is said True: but
II might be good thing Ia mix little religion
"ilh politics. Political prosperity must In. ground.
Ell IN Intelligence. Ignorance is a mighty foe AT
the polls ignorance balances Intelligence: bribery
fraud. intimidation and defamation Of character
are evils OF the worst type. We need at Washing.
ton more men and less money barrels II We
would secure the permanency OF our national life
We should lay the foundations strongly Then We.
snail work out the end for which We. were g.rtpt-
ted To become a nation