The Portland daily press., 1892-06-13
Yesterdays SERMONS.
The Veteran Firemen Attend at the
First Baptist.

Rev. A. A. Miner breaches the Baccalaure-
ate Sermon Before the Graduating
Glass at Westbrook Seminary.
Yesterday the veteran fremen attend
ed the First Baptist chnrch in body.
The services had special reference to the
day. The pastor took his text from the
fifth to the 18th verses of st. Matthew.
The centurion who asked Jesus to speak
the word that his servant might be
healed was the first man on record who
had faith that if Christ but spoke the
word, that was all that was necessary.
The centurion was a man nnder au-
thority, having soldidrs under him, and
he had faith because of his personal life.
Every man thinks his own daily life I'M
adapted for the higher fellowship with
God. But that manhood and that wo-
manhood that the Lord demands of us
is not made in the churches, in the clos
cts, but in our everyday life and work.
In addressing the association Mr..
Ayres paid fitting tribute to Harris C.
Barnes, who was remembered so tender
ly, and Mr.. Charles Davidson, who did
so much in building up the organization
with which they were identified.
Among the men of the association to-
day are prosperous men of our CONNER
cial life, the pillars of our churches are
among them, because they have devel-
oped their character by their everyday
life. This association has had the power
to develop the strong manhood which
God demands.
There are five men living who belonged
to the association when it was organized
in 1927, and Hon. Neal Dow, who heads
the list, doubtless got much of the pluck
with which he has fought intemperance,
by fighting fires in the days of the hand
engine. Heroism, pluck. obedience and
earnestness are four great principles of
this association. A man who has formed
the habit of obedience in his daily life
recognizes that his duty is calling him to
higher life, and by the very habit Of
his life he ought to find it easier to obey
the moral laws as he is accustomed to
obey the electric bell. There is as much
voluntary heroism in the life of fire.
man as there is in the soldiers Iife-as
we see on the battlefield Examples
were cited of firemen rushing into burn
ing buildings to save lives at the risk of
s cAiSAA OWAI--oO1llOulIlOo lOciIiS3 unClI LIVES
as the penalty. This self sacrifice is
something more than duty; it is heroism.
This life. which develops physical cour-
age and moral sheroism ought to fit us
for higher things. 1t takes more courage
to withstand the temptations of this life
than it does to put ladder against
burning house. The great fire of sin
sweeping over the globe is carrying
thousa d. down who have not the
heroism TO withstand it.
An association like this has the con-
slant development of the highest instincts
of brotherhood. This work of sympathy
and comparison ought to develop that
side of our nature that must come into
sympathy with our Lord. Those of us
who know how to stoop down for the
fallen ought to be those who rise into
touch with our Lord. Every mans life
has peculiar opportunities Openings to
look up into the face of God. Are there
not times when we come to the limita-
tions of our strength? Like fires which
we are powerless to check, there are raw
ages of sin that nothing but God can
stop,
On your badges are the significant
words 6 Faithfully Served. Honorably
Discharged. Shall we not all look for
ward when Christ shall say, swell done,
good and faithful servant You wear
the badge of honor bestowed by the city.
Strive also for the crown of life which
the Lord shall hastow