The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-04-20
THE PROPHETS.
DR.. Jenkins Diseourses of Great Men
Past, Present and Future.

AZ. 9Yf--tf
81 4.-g.- IN
Interesting Union Services at Williston
Church Yesterday-A Pertinent and
Eloquent Sermon.
The union services at Williston church
yesterday were very largely attended. Inc
choir, consisting of DR.. Nickerson, MISS
Tarbox, Miss Kicker and Mr.. Merrill, opened
the exercises with a selection and rendition
entirely appropriate to the peautlIui
weather and important occasion. Inc
pastor, Rev. Dwight NJ. Pratt, said that all
the Methodist clergymen were absent at the
convention, and others We're unavoldaply
absent. He specially mentioned the absence
of DR.. Dalton of st. Stephens church,
whose presence at the union services Is
always SO notably prominent, but who could
not come.
The divine blessing was invoked by REV.
Mr.. Perry, state missionary. ReV. MT.
Kimmel. of the Church of the Messiah, read
the Governors proclamation. Rey. MI
Samson of the Free Street Baptist church.
read a passage from Scripture Another
selection by the choir at this point displayed
Miss Ricker's splendid contralto in solo.
PRAYER was offered by Rev. EN-. Cousens,
state missionary.
Another musical pleasure was the next
selection of the choir, Mr.. Harry Merrill S
bass appearing in solo with its usual truly
grand effect
DIR. J. l.. jenkins, the preacher of the
occasion, took for his text the passage, ION
Jerusalem! Jerusaiem Thou that killest
Prophets"
He briefly described the Jewish situation
in contrast with the other nations of the
time. especially in reference to their
prophets, who appeared when occasion
called for them.
We shall not misconceive. if we accord to
the prophets craftsmanship. The Jews
were the most progressive people, next to
the Greeks, of antiquity. John Stuart
Mill says this was due to their "lnestlma-
bly, precious institution, the order OF
prophets"
The Jewish prophets were great men.
Fame is more likely to be just than other
wise. The fame of the Jewish prophets
reveals what they were. What is known OF
the Jewish kings or soldiers? But every
body knows who the prophets WERE we
know them by name. Such names, SO re-
membered, indicate great men.
They were great because of their mastery
of language. They delivered orations that
were poems Also their catholicity OF view
indicates their. greatness. The history
thew wrote is universal history.t they
grasped the situation of their time.
Also they demanded that what is right
shall be DONE Their great word was right
eousness. Men who can use language, where
views are broad and whose principles are
just are great men.
ssOh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that
kiJlest the prophets''--The text is a verdict
against great nation, pronounclng the
crime for which it was destroyed. Disaster
overlook the Jewish nation. 1t was dis
persed abroad, because it killed prophets.
Prophets were not peculiar to the Jews.
Everywhere are the prophets. who see affair
and talk righteousness.
We of this country have agenerous snare OF
prophets. The saying that we now have no
great men is a cruel and senseless lnanltlon'
What a dreary prospect for US and the
future. This cannot be- The condition of
now and the future imperatively demands
great men more so than ever before.
The people are not outgrowing leaders,
they are requiring ADLER leaders.
Who originated the painful suspicion that
there are to be no more great men l know
NOT. but such cruel doctrine ought not to
be tolerated.
What Great Man Is.
A great mans testimony to the possibil1-
ties of humanity is of inestimable value. 1t
is so hard to rise, SO easy to fall. The Work
of great man inspires hope. We cannot
dispense with them just yet. Great men
have peculiar missions. Like the prophets,
they are sent by God with great qualities
for the need of great crises.
But the average ideal cannot reach the
status of the great man. Hence 1t SO oIten
happens that they go among the people
and the people know them not.
Also the fickleness of humanity renders
the treatment of great men unjust. The
ueople get tired of them; also want OF chart
ty INJURIES great men. We are not tolerant
enough of their peculiaritfes. Massachusetts,
abandonment of Mr. Webster is an illustra-
ton There was better way of treating
him. 1t was not worthy act of Massachu-
setts to censure Charles Sumner. The
proper treatment of great men is also
affected by the influence of bad men. Satan
knows where he can do the most mischief.
The credit due great men is often diverted
to scheming men. Great men are Gods
phrophets. They cannot be unjustly treated
with inpunity. They never have been and
ever will We have few more serious duties
than those that affect our treatment OF
great men. AS a citizen, our highest duty is
To seek out and find and exalt our prophets.