The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1894-10-12
AT THE CHURCHES,

No preaching services were held at the
Baptist church last Sabbath, the pastor
not having returned from his vacation.
At the Methodist church Rev. Mr.. Sis
son preached fine practical discourse,
which was attentively listened to by a
large audience, from Proverbs, XIV, IL,
revised version:
ga word fifty spoken is like apples of
gold in baskets of silver"
The preacher by way of introduction
spoke of the book of Proverbs as a whole
and said that although written many
years before the beginning of the Chris
tian era its wisdom was not out of date
and that it contained much that is appli-
cable in this age and generation. He
went on to say:
Sin the short pithy sentences and COM
parisons contained in this book we find
much which throws light on mans path
way. Perhaps not the amount of light
found in the gospel of the new dispensa-
tion but light blending with that flashed
by later writer's and one which, if the rays
are followed, will lead us to a higher
plane of manhood and womanhood, beau
tify our character and make better the en-
tire human family, for we are to remem-
Der that influence is like an endless chain"
The speaker took up his subject as fol
Flows:
"We leave our mark upon the world as
we pass through it by words and deeds.
We have read glowing obituaries and
seen touching cpitaphs, but the best obit-
uary notice that can be given us is to
have some one say after we are gone
''He helped me-" The best epitaphs that
| can be written is one written on the heart
of some one whom we may have helped.
| A towering shaft of marble may mark
our last resting place, bat how small and
insignificant compared with the monu-
ment of grateful love reared in the heart
of some one to whom we may have ex-
tended the helping hand in time of need,
or spoken a word of comfort and good
cheer. 1t is selfish life that lives for
| itself alone with no thought for the good
OF others and it is a useless life that does
| not help some one. 1t is mans duty to
love God and also his duty to love his
| fellowman. Christ in his summary of
| the law plainly tea. hes this.
We have seen the effect of a kind word
on some of the lower animals, but in
greater power is the influence of a kind
word on the human heart although no
outward sign of appreciation may oe
seen. The true value of a kind word can
never be computed. 1t has value far
above silver, gold, diamonds or rubies.
1t brings to him who receives it joy. To
him who gives it satisfaction, and riches
increase as these coins go into circula-
ton" The speaker referred to the story
of the good Samaritan and drew from it
lessons in keeping with his subject men
toned the fact that there are many priests
and Levites in the work, who pass by on
the'other side and never extend the help
ing hand in time of need. Also that there
are some good Samaritans who are al
ways ready to help their brother man.
He said that the world would never be
won to Christ by gospel preaching alone,
but that Christian practice had an i'm
| portant part to perform and that practice
demonstrated the value of the Christian
religion. After dwelling on the word of
spoken he closed as follows:
"The fundamental principle of the re-
ligion of Christ is love- If we have this
love IN us we will watch for opportunities
to help by word or deed those who need
such help. A word is small
thing looking at it from one standpoint,
but how much it carries with it of good
or evil. few words have bl oxen ties
of friendship. divided families, caused
anger, malice and hate to enter the heart
and even led to the shedding of blood.
James says that the Tongue is little
member, true and how that little mem-
Der can be made to help our fellowman if
we would only use it to that end The
Apostle says 'Out of the abundance of
the heart the mouth speaketh.' So if we
have love in our heart out of its abun6-
ance our mouth win speak words of help
and comfort to our struggling brother.
Let us pray with the Psalmist, Create in
me clean heart o God and renew right
spirit within me. In closing let us re-
member that flattery is not kindness,
scolding is not reproof. But he who
speaks word with desire to help, re-
ceives help himself and such word SIS
like apple of gold in baskets of silver
Rev. and Mrs. Wood returned yes
lterday.