The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-10-29
VAUGHAN STREET CHURCH.
Rev. Mr.. Allen, the New Pastor, Occupies
the Pulpit.

Rev. Mr.. Allen, who has just accepted
the call to the Vaughan street Metho-
dist church, preached yesterday for the
first time since his acceptance. MIR. Allen
said he should not take formal charge
until November 1st, as he had to move
his family here and had other business
to arrange. He is man of pleasing
pulpit presence and possesses fine voice
which he modulates we'll and speaks
with great ciearness and distinctness.
The text was taken from Romans,
XVIII. For the kingdom of God is not
meat and drink, but righteousness and
peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" The
preacher said there was but one true
kingdom in the universe, and that was
the kingdom of God. The contrast be-
tween that kingdom and those of all
earthly monarchs, even the country
blessed by our own republican form of
government, is graphically described in
Daniel, in the story of Nebucbadnezzar's
dream. The stone spoken Fin the dream
that broke the feet of the image, in it's
solidity and unifcation represents the
kingdom OF God, that smites and breaks
all earthly Kingdoms. His kingdom is
eternal, while others are but temporary.
Jesus's kingdom is one of peace and
righteousness No earthly Kingdom has
been established except by means of war
fare and bloodshed. Gods kingdom
also required bloodshed, but is was sane
titled by the blood of Christ. The Holy
Ghost, the plenipotentiary Of God, is
now preparing usIfors the great kingdom
of light, making chan ges for the better
in our hearts and lives There is an IN
itiation required to enter the kingdom
of God; not al initiation like that of an
earthly society, with its grips and pass
word, but hange of heart. Anyone
who is a member of royal family is
proud of the circumstance then how
much prouder must be he who has be-
come member of the royal family OF
God, co-heir of his kingdom.
Christ eat, drank and slept as other
men, but His heart and soul moved in
higher sphere than ours. So. when each
one of US gets into His kingdom we shall
move in higher sphere than those who
have not attained equals glory.
The preacher then gave description OF
the different characteristics of God.
These were three: Righteousness, joy,
peace. Many man is lower than the
animal lie possesses, because he has
conscience and the beast has none, and
he pays no attention to the dictates of
that conscience. The animal is satisfied
with his environment when he has plen-
ty of hay, oats and water, with a pasture
to roam in. And the man must have
proper environment or his soul will per-
ish. We cannot feed our souls on gold
and silver and earthly pleasures. Its
environment must he the food and atmos-
phere of heaven brought down to us,
surrounding and filling us. In speaking
of the characteristic, joy, the preacher
urged upon his hearers to make religion
joyful, not sombre. It.was too frequent
ly the case that the young were repealed
by religion rather than attracted, from
this fault of making it gloomy.
In conclusion, Mr.. Allen spoke of the
fact that wien this. Canadian Pacific was
building, the workmen came to crags so
steep,to difficulties so great, they refused
to work. The news was cabled to Eng
land. The answer that was returned
was, Canada stands When the men
were told of it. the words aroused all
their loyalty, andswith great steadfast-
ness they continued and overcame what
had appeared superhuman obstacles. Let
us, then. grid on our weapons and be
steadfast in our loyalty to our Lord.