The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-10-13
PULPIT ANo PLATFORM
HIGH STREET CHURCH.

NUN oAAhEA OhOhIhs
Last evening, Rev. w. Fl. Fem, ID. d., in
teiestingly described to his congregation
some memorable Sundays Of his vacation.
He had for some months past been travel
ling In Europe, and yesterday-haVing re-
turned during the previous wee ek-he occu-
pied HE accustomed pulpit once more. He
said he had all his life been anxious to OBJ
tain an insight into the manners and Gus
toms OF the Creek church. His trip to Rus
sia was so timed that he could visit the
great eathedrals of that denomination at st.
Petersburg and Moscow A person must be
in Moscow to realize how far he Is from
home-5S hours in the cars east Of Berlin.
The climate Of Russia was superb; the
breathing Of the air Of brisk, cool summer
morning Is luxury scarcely TO be described.
The twilight fingers until past nine, it being
easy to read print then. The view Of the
city from the surrounding hills Was grand
From that location Napoleon once looked
with eager eyes upon the city. The sight Is
not to be compared to anything he had ever
seen before. He imagined 1t more oriental
than Jerusalem itself. 1t seemed like fairy
land.
Almost all the palaces and large buildings
are constructed Of stucco. The great winter
palace Of the Emperor at st. Petersburg has
for its exterior this stueeo, covered from
year to year with terra Gotta. The Cathe-
dral Of the Redeemer is the great church Of
Moscow. 1t was built by Emperor Nicholas
in honor Of the Redemption of Moscow from
Napoleon. He said;
IL would be paltry to say the church IA
magnificent. IL will eOntafp ofandF-.. ..a.--
1900 persons. IL Is built in the form Of a
Greek cross. The interior stonework IA ex-
pensive beyond measure. DR.. Fem rode 10
the church IN drosky, vehicle peculiar 10
the country. The horses are magnificent an
mails and are very speedy. Many Of the
streets are crowded with excited riders, ali
driving like mad.
As they entered the church he was warned
to look out for his pocketbOok, as 1t was
great place for thieves. The church was
thronged with people standing. The dea-
cons sang their service In a deep, rich tone.
and no instrument accompanied the choir
Inc Inc Geacons were arrayed far more gor-
ge0usly than In the ROmish church, Won
derful In every way was the pOmp of cere-
mony. The musical part of the service last
ed Tor an hour and half, aud was exceed
ingly Impressive Inc service throughout
was extremely ceremonial aud beautifnI
without hint OF being ostentatious. The
illumination OIL the church with candles was
something amazing. "'''
Russian priests seemed base and ignoble.
and there Is certain inferiority socially he,
tween them and the people. If ever thers
vas political church the Greek church h
one. IL Is equivalent on one side 10 what
rengion Is; and on the other to what patriot
sa ism IS. Inc Greek church has for its con-
uemnatlOn Today that It Is still prosecuting
church, and the speaker was astonished t5
near OF the trials to which Flnlanders were
subjected. He told of Finland woman
Wno tha pqonshed Pilgrims Progress" in
following day was warned by the cbpScS
that IL had better pc discontinued on her
persisting In circulating the oo0s,-SI-- Aes nea
notified that it would be better for her to
take vacation out of the country for six
months lie also told Of how a gathering of
a few people on Sunday for discussing mat
tiers OF interest to them was quickly warned
that they must not meet again.
IL Is difheult undertaking to get into
Russia and cannot be done without show
ing a passport. Your destination Is inquired
and no change OF mind allowed. After en-
gaglng room at hotel 1t Is impossible to
cnange It. The police are informed of every
occupant OF the hotels and keep strict watch
over them.
NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.
The second Of the series Of Sunday eyen-
Ing discourses now being delivered by Rev.
Percy Billings, was given last evening, the
subject being "The Second Coming Of the
Lord Jesus Christ and the New Christiani-
ty." The discourse was simple and clear in
method, and eudeavored to show that the
second advent Of the Lord was to the mental
and spiritual sight and senses Of humanity,
not to physical sight and sense, as was the
Lords advent In the flesh. Christ's first
coming, said the speaker, was in the flesh to
produce a physical faith in Deity; Christ's
second coming was coming to the mind and
rational Intelligence of men to lsad to a
spiritual and reasonable faith, and to true
Christ-life among men. The discourse was
listened to with close attention and seemed
to be greatly appreciated by the audience.