The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-29
come iuto relations with the distant
fhP0nnh ba

come iuto relations with the distant
through the near.
We therefore have need to interpret the
life and the teacbiog OF Christ by some
thing close about us, as He interprets
the larger life of God beyond and unless
we may do this, His wonderful spirit
tends 10 escaps from us into that great
abyss of mystery where He becomes no
more than an empty name. There Is no
possibility OF touchings His life, as 1t
were, heart to heart, unless His thoughts,
His feelings, and His aims are connected
with something familiar to our expert
ence
spiritual nature of all mankind of which
He was the Supreme embodiment and ex-
preston. Holding Christ to be an ex-
ample OF the full maturity of that spiritu-
al nature which bears some fruit in every
human life. we may come into sympathy
and communion with Him. And IT is
not too much to say that, beholding and
feeling nothing OF the divinity OF an un-
selfish love as Ii Is manifested in the liv-
ing world about US, we can really know
nothing OF the divinity of Christ.
See then to what this great doctrine of
| Christianity commits u.s. IL leads us
| straight to the only foundation on which
| itt can consistently and intelligently
| stand, the conviction that there is kind
or quality OF life which is essentially
| divine.
| This far-reaching thought of new and
| heavenly nature which God is building
| up In the minds OF all his children, Is
| but just beginning TO emerge into the
| general Christian consciousness from the
| shell of dogma within which II has been
| nutured and preserved, and 1t brings
with 1t the promise Of an incalcualbe in
crease OF spiritual power.
Still more, belief in a divine humapi-
| ty comes to add new strength to every
heavenly hope, to give faith new wings
] for its heavenward tiigh ht and to increase
all our incentives TO right living.
When every heart by the very nature
OF its being, is made the workshop where
holy spirit tolls for mans redemption,
when the progress of this divine work is
traced In the growth of those human
traits which are everywhere seen to en-
noble and lift up the life Of the world,
when one feels that In the sacred task OF
substituting the law of love for tho rule
OF seitishness he has the Infinite God to
help him, what can come OF 1t other than
sublime and stupendous gains to all spirit
ual interests?
Even beyond all that we can give an
account OF there is sonnet thing sublime
and teautifni in the power of Christ,
which we do not understand. His life
has charm too deeply hidden in the
secrets of existence TO be wholly uncov-
cred and defined. When his followers are
challenged to explain the love they feel
for Him, and the power that He holds
over them, the warning, the restraint, the
encourgements, the hope they have from
Him, after they have explained all they
can it is still left them TO say with Phil
lip, "Come and zee" what IL is to be
found In the company OF those who strive
10 follow His steps.
There are divine realities in our life
that we know not how TO trace TO their
ultimate source, and more of them than
has been dreamed of in our philosophy.
The -quickeniug influence of this one
single soul upon the minds OF men. down
TO this present time, Is greater and more
wonderful than we can say. Z God grant
Us, icing slaves OF no man. to drink of
that life giving spring, that in the
| strength of 1t we may do better, what
ever " ork Is given US to DO.
DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES.
The conference resumed its session this
morning at half-past 8 o'clock, when the
devotional meeting was conducted by
Rev. l.. Liggett OF Dighton, Mass.
Mrs Legigtt's remarks were based upon
the words OF the Psalms read in the in
troductory service. The undercurrent of
her thought was comparison between the
ancient Hebrew conception of Jehovah as
voiced by the Psalmist, and the modern
idea as revealed by scienca of God.
This comparison naturally lead to the
tteme OF the morning, that OF prayer or
the relation OF ourselves 10 God. accord
ing TO the idea which we hold of the
Infinite.
In our thought OF Deity today we are
realizing that IL in the Father of lights
there is no vnriableness, neither is there
! any alteration insthe course of His divine
laws And IL our prayers today are less
for personal gifts, II is because our
thought of the Giver of all good gifts is
less narrow and less selfish.
Prayer is the entering in of the Divine
spirit to the human spirit-an intercom-
munion with God.
The remarks OF the leader were supple
mented by words from various membe
Of the conference present, each contribu-
ting some thought bearing upon the cen.
trnl thought OF the hour.
AT the close OF the devotional service
there was short intermission followed
by he business meeting and annual elec-
tIon of officers.
THE BUSINESS SESSION.
At the business session this forenoon
MIR. Charles..H. Sheldon, treasurer of the
conference, made the annual financial
report. The report showed balance on
hand of S17i2. So and was accepted by the
conference and placed on file.
Then followed tn reports of the COM
mittees and a vote of welcome was extend
ed to the new church OF Westerly. Rev.
Mr.. Lord moved that the conference APP
propriste $50 fer the Westerly society TO
be used the 1st OF July. The motion was
carried.
The signing of n petition for three
additional members OF the Board of Trus-
tees was asked for by the American Uni
tartan Association. 1t was voted that
the secretary of the Claiming conference
De authorized 10 sign the petition. he
trustees, whose appointment was thus APP
proved are Rev. Paul Il. rockingham OF