The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-21

pastor OF the DunmOre PreSDvtellali
Church.
er than of receiving will be emphasized
and to that end the scholars will bring
to the church groceries, provisions and
general household supplies for dis
tribution among the poor of the bor-
ough. The scholars themselves will re-
ceive only very simple gifts. pound
boxes of candy.
Yesterdays two services attracted
large congregations.
CHIEF THOUGHT PEACE.
The pastors sermon had for its chief
thought Peace" the sentiment of
Christmastde but especially of yester-
day which was Peace Sunday" ac-
cording to the church calendar 1t was
the month of series of ten sermons on
the beautitudes and its topic was Fol
lowers of the Prince of Peace The
text was, blessed are the Peacemak-
ers." Matthews, V. 9. Mr.. Gibbons
said:
Peace on earth: good will toward
men." We are still a very long way
from the period when war shall cease
and when there shall be among all man
kind the good will and brotherly love
desired BY God and expressed in the
hosanna of His angles. 1t is no less the
duty, though, of every follower of
Christ, the Prince of Peace. to do all
in his power to bring about the reign
of universal peace.
while today the world is more
prone to disquiet and unrest, while
mankind is too ready to be at war with
self and neighbor, there has been COIN
ing down through the ages a growing
disposition to be more charitable in
thought and deed. 1t is easier to be
peaceful than it used to be, because
man is becoming stronger in his Chris
tianty and with that kind of strength
there must necessarily be increased op-
pOrtunity for doing Gods will.
This is illustrated in the disposition
shown in the more enlightened coun-
tries to arbitrate instead of fight their
differences. We have had a recent
incidence of it in the Venezuelan con-
troversy between the British govern
ment and our own. That difference
wo once have been a causus belli.
1t mas however. been peaceably arbi-
trated according to international law
which has its inspiration from the
laws of the most high.
APPEALS STRONGLY TO Us.
"The leading thought of this peace
rectitude appeals strongly to us as in
dividuals. 1t is imperative that a good
man must be one of peace. While 1t
is true that many of the revered fig
ures of the Bible are military but there
warfare was against sin. That is true
of the present. Sin is Gods and the
churches enemy and it has to be
fought
I'm the warfare against evil it is
necessary that every Christian should
make his duty to keep the unity Of
spirit in the bonds of peace 1t is un-
fotunate but true that large amount
of energy of the Christian church is
lost in denominational strife and quar-
rels. 1t is all the more deploratble
when it Is appreciated that while
Christianity knows that sin is the enc
my of the church, it will be diverted
from its proper purpose to struggle
sect with sect.
."ThOse upon whom this great bless
ing of peace has been conferred are
surrounded with trials. SO was Christ.
Just as He. the great Son of God, made
peace by the blood of His cross and
found His mission in the turbulent
world, so we. who are called the child
rem of God. find our work amid strife.
1t is part of Christian duty to recon-
cile as far as possible the warning, jar
ring elements, of business, society, hon
or, the church. self.
LET us find the deepest possible
meaning in the words, Blessed are the
peacemakers' If it be more noble to
make peace between man and man
than to make war, how much more
Christlike in the work to which every
Christian is called by divine right, that
of making peace between man and
God"
PROGRAMME OF MUSIC.
Following was the music programme
of the two services:
MORNING.
Anthem, "Hark, the Herald Angels"
Mendelssohn
Anthem, "The King of Glory" "...... .Berly
A. Y. Harder.
Anthem, "He Came Upon the Mid
night Clear Observation-Disclosures Sullivan
Hymn, "Once in Royal Davids City
Gauntlet
Offertory, "Cantique de Noel" ....Adams
Mrs. G. dub. Dmmick.
Hymn, while Shepherds Watched
Handel
EVENING.
Anthem. "Hark. What Mean Those
Hymn, SHOUT the Glad Tidines.'
ofertory. 1.-The Birthday of a King"
Neidlinger
A. ]. Harber.
Anthem. Hail the Morn ........... Earle
Hymn, "Joy to the World" .....Mason
Organst. Miss Griffin.
THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.