St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-02-01
FAREWELL SERVICES.


Lamson OF the North church was de-
livered on Sunday morning, In the
presence of a large congregation,
and the words Of the retiring pastor
were closely listened to. The theme
was Christ the Foundation, based
on the text found in L. Cor. iii: IL
For other foundation can no man
lay than that is laid, which is Jesus
Christ" Below we give an abstract
Of the pastors remarks:
The speaker referred to Paul as mas
ter builder, of whose architecture it could
ALWAYS be said that it had firm foun-
dation and the structure reared upon it
was always formed by the power Of
some consistent thought.
In character as in architecture our
thoughts keep distinct what are really
ble-the foundation and the
building. When you think of man or
pass Judgment on his life you think of
the building, that is, his speech, grace,
wealth, wisdom; and of the foundation
not spoken of, the heart-purpose and the
truths that support him. You never
understand man until you know what
stands under him. The invisible part Of
ones character is the most real-"the
foundation is everything in building"
desire to make you feel the worth OF
having some strong base on which to
rear character, life, and the joy and sue
cess of life Something in your manhood
CHALLENGES you to prove your old be-
lief, laughs at them as being antiquated,
and leaves you with doubt as to your
real faith In this course of
thought many fail to distinguish between
the foundation and the building. The
forms of all buildings are changing. To
initiate the forms of ancient life, however
sacred, is not to live that life again 1t
is life to walk in the new ways to which
the eyes and feet of our fathers tended.
Referring to the changes being
wrought, the preacher said, if we think
that because of these religion is less firm
we betray a shallow mind. The fOunda-
lion is unchanged-the life of Christ is
foundation for verything that is or can
be human. The fashion of men, of the
thoughts, art, modes of living, ways of
worship, forms Of faith, all change; but
the quality on which every fashion of
living that has any worth must rest is
the quality revealed in the life and sacri-
nee of Tesus Christ. He is the rock and
the rock OF ages. Faith is not that on
one. Let your life, in all energy and pa
thence repose on that of Christ. and no
harmful doubt can ever assail you. The
rock saves the building. The whole
of life NAV be rested on Christ he
IS the cradle for the tender infancy of
of life; the spirit of the young may build
on the rock of eternal truth in him you
discover the divinity Of labor; his life
teaches that no human friendship is
complete without the friendship of God ;
that one need never say the well of life
is too deep and l have nothing to draw
with; that no Inconvenience is to be
counted if we can save one soul; that
thegrave has an exit as well as an en-
trance; that he whose life seeks to live
again shall endure forever.
The faith Of most is changed by what
touches them of JOY or sorrow in their
works and loves. The Inysteryof pain is
q veil before the face of God, but he who
endures sorrow without lament or doubt
tears that veil away and reveals the
mystery of love. Shall we not
est upon the truth we admire and live
through calamity and sorrow, knowing
that beneath are the Everlasting arms !?
Let not distrust become the permanent
temper of the soul. The foundation OF
God is in the earth. They who build
upon it may know that they shall not
be moved The clouds never move a
rock. And that rock is Christ. Why
see we other foundations There are
none other, and we need no other for
faith or life or sorrow.
THE FAREWELL WORDS.
have spoken this morning of Christ
Ehe foundation because l desire to leave
with YOU the truth that remains with
YOU through all the changes of your life
in the church. In all the separations
that make our hearts tender and our
tender hearts sad, there is an inseparable
truth and an inseparable Friend. This
church stands and deserves to stand,
not because of its structural beauty and
power, but because beneath it. vital and
sustaining, is the living Foundation.
You're is Christ. The voices you hear
IN home and pulpit change, but the One
who came, at your laying of the corner
stone of the church, to be your minister
remains. The old gospel will be uttered
through other lips, and clear and
heavenly truth will fail of utterance. No
foundation can be removed from the
church of Christ
Memories full of tender JOY and
strength fill my heart today. You have
given me all that minister could wish
from a people-prompt and friendly
response, a sympathy cordial and
patient, unity of feeling and action
that have made my life here the life o
one il, a home. Whatever l have been tc
YOU, of this l am sure, that it has not
been so full ofgood- giving force your life
to me. The reaction of my service ha:
been greater than the action. l cannot
lay down my work without thanking
God for you. You have with an earnest
ness that has surprised ne declared YOU
deserved what your sincere kindness ha
given me is enough of honor or JOY fo
any soul. And l assure that your graft
tude has been a finer and more blessed
gilt because you have been just enough
TO include the one who shares my life
whose life share. You have discovered
that the woman to whom l owe 81