Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-07-18


have been given up and men have tried to
make new church and practically
new gospel, Moral earnestness and love
for Christ there have been in abundance,
but il has been "a zeal not according TO
know ledge, and the result is Impending
paganism,,
Surely it is wise and even necessary for
US 10 ask. brethren, what is our own reia-
ton 10 these facts. Can we be content with
all this condition of things about US: Has
our own sinful neglect or lack of earnest
ness anything to do with it: Or again can
We fold our hands in elf-conplacency, sat
isfied with the prosperity of our own parish
or household of faith, regardless of the
growing spiritual restitution all about US:
That is utterly to mistake the purpose of our
being here III Maine or in fact any where
under the sun. 1t may be the height of some
queer Christians or queer churcilmans ant
bition to have little religious and very
respectable club, meeting in very pretty
religious club house, where lulled with
sweet music and in the midst of refined
social surroundings. he can enjoy his re-
ligion, rs the phrase is. 1t may be doubted
however if there Is htHch religion worthy of
the name in such a commodity as this. Ger
tainly it is not that ''pure religion and I'M
ieiiled before God and the Father" which
st. James defiEes to be an ignoring of per
sonal comforts and going out and forth
TO the suceour of those less favored than
ourselves. 1t is certainly not the religion of
st. Paul. much less of our Lord whose
first thought was always for the lost sheep and
those who had no shepherd. For be II re-
membered that these G3,d65 non-churcl-
going families here in Maine, forming
nearly oue-half of our population, are not
hostile to religion. 1t is not that they have
deliberately. abandoned the Christian faith
or rejected it, They have had for the most
art no fair chance of accepting it.
q has not come to them AS
nrist ordained that it should come. 1t has
come to them in ,aguencss and III badness,
or else in much irrcyercncc and even gro
tesqueness. Ii has not come as the Apos-
tolic church of Christ alone can bring it,
with the simple and ancient creed, the rev
erent and sacramental worship, the
system of Christian education of the young,
and As the root of all, the authoritative apos-
toiic ministry, receiving It's commission
from Heaven and not from men. Yes, we
churchmen hold the remedy in our own
hands. God has entrusted these things to us.
Allowed of God 10 be put III trust with the
Gospel" Yes, lin trust"-not for our own
esse merely, not for selfish ends, but ''it
eust" for the good of others, all others who
are within our reach and influence.
And here, brethren, | must call your at
tentlon to another set of facts for our en-
enlargement | have shown you the dark
side. There is, | am glad to say bright
side from our point of view rs churchmen.
Ii at times the Church's growth in Maine has
seemed to be far below our hopes. if We
have hal our disappointment and dlscour-
agements over failures and mistakes and the
slackness aud lack of faith and love of some
what is this but the experience of
workers for Christ and His kingdom
Nevertheless the church's progress during
the last twenty years affords us much
ground for hopcfulncss. have already
called your attention 10 the fact that the
religious body that comes nearest to the
church in spirit and teaching j, that which
alone amongst the four largest denomin-
atoms has made decided progress
This growth of the Methodist body has
been as high AZ twenty per cent in members
and Il much higher ratio in ministers and
c,liiices. But during the same period of
twenty years the united growth of all these
four bodies has been, as we have seen only
eight and one-half per cent. Contrast with
this the satisfies of the church. In 1871
We recorded Il list of 1888 commandments
in 1891 the number was ;, l6s, an increase
of II per cent During the same time the
church cliiiccs advanced from ~ TO Ii, 4
:tain of - per cent. Twenty wears age
H..
ilent and ut work, today We have
- AMI two can lidttcs for orders who
are caring for four missions, while three
other students from the General Seminar,
are at work temporarily for the summer, an
Increase. however, of pNrmane"i working
force of IS per cent. The growth of our
own parish may also afford us reason fol
encouragement. Twenty wears ago We re
ported bat 10 commandments. To-Day We
reported 30. an increase of more than lW
per cent, while the opening of the new mis-
sion chapel of st. Barnabas COMMUNICATING
rs it does the ,J0th anniversary of old st
Marks recalls to us the fact that there are
more communicates in the parish alone today
than there were in the whole State and
Diocese half century ago.
1t is surely well for US, brethren, at this
time to consider What God hath wrought
for our increase of faith and hope. He not
only cGiiS us TO this great work of bringing
souls to Himself aud gathering the wander
ing sheep into His true fold, He gives IL
much encouragement and cheer. Only let
Us remember this. that we must not make
such happy results either in parish or city
or Diocese the measure of oar duty. There
must be no self cougratulatory folding of
the hands. Before We attemp, that let us at
least ask ourselves individually. what word
have ! spoken. what deed have done what
pleasure have denied myself, what praytr
have ! offered, what share have I had in
bringing these results about: Moreover
our chief thought should he in any case not
concerning what has been accomplished
but what rrmaiEs 10 be accomplished. 1t
is this which is the true measure of our
duty. Forgetting those things which are
behind We must reach forth AMI .'prcss
on dixie good soldiers Of Jesus Christ
unto those things which are before" One
quarter of the people of this city. ouc-lalf
of the people of the State never attend any
place of worship. Such facts appeal to our
patriotism as well ~ 10 onr love of God.
Let us believe il, brethren. that there is
nothing but the church. as Christ ordained
it. and as His Apostles established it, in
faith, in worship, in discipline, in govern
ment, that can rcciify this state of things
permanently and effectively anvw here. The
Apostolic church of Christ must be brought
to men with it, s'falnc-s of the blessing of
the gospel of Christ, and it is our part and
duty In bring it.
allowed Of God 10 he put
III trust with the gospel Yes. in
trsist. not for ourselves and our own sci
fish enjoyment, but for all men. Fifty
wears from now. when the handredh ami
versary of our parish is celebrated, wha,
shall our chill ir,-n AMI our Successors say OF
onf fulfilmem of Thu trust: Nay, long he
fore then. not here But in another world.
what will Jesus Christ. our eternal
.Inisp. say about that trust: We are
las iHr foundations for TIN. future. We are
standing a, the fountain head of waters
that may bless countless generations. Shall
impending pagasism" in Maine become
actual paganism. That depends largely on
our faithfuiHess. Much is needed OF effort
anil prayer ami money anil much must he
given if we are Ia be biameiess in the Urea,
Day. There is in our Individual keeping and
stewardship sufficient means to help.
Many have tine and leisure. Are we Hsing
these trast-gifts for the advancement Of
Gods kingdom among men az we might !.
g. Allowed of God to be put in trust " ith the
gospel" ours is great prisiicec, ours
also brethren i great Responsibility.
Amen.