News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1896-01-16
Bishop ian in MorrisriIle.

mont, at the Congregational church,
this being his first visit to Morris
vile, and the third in his series of ap-
pointments in Lamoille County.
The ritualistic service was con-
Quoted by the Rev. w. j. Harris of
Rutland, and "A double quartette
furnished excellent choral service.
Bishop Hall Immediately impressed
his hearers as a large, strong man,
strong in character, intellect and
physical structure, an impressive
speaker, very rapid in his delivery,
yet every word clear cut and expelled
with a force that carried a signifi-
canoe. He selected for the basis of
his discourse the scripture found in
st. Johns gospel, first chapter and
fourteenth verse, more particularly
the words "And the word was made
flesh and dwelt among u.s."
The speaker characterized his text
as Christmas Gospel, in which st.
John passes over the external and
tells US the iDcarnate nature OF
Christ, embracing the true inward
application of the Christmas story.
The gospel of the word was favorite
expression with ST. John in all his
writings. The word Christi was
made flesh. Bishop Hall then pro-
ceeded to speak OF words, the diff
fsrent classes of words, all the eX-
preston of our thought. He de-
scribed the different kinds of words
and some of the different character
istics of human life, shown forth by
words that are uttered, showing so
truly what sort of people are spt ak
ing, for "out. of the abundance OF the
heart the mouth speaketh." Just
the same, ones thoughts are unspoken
words and many times it is much
better so, than that they be uttered
| Let the meditation of our hearts be
always acceptable; Christ is the
thought and word of God given ut
terance Let us see if We can not
learna good lesson from these truths.
Man is made in the image of
Colby studying his true inward
nature we may learn something of
God. Is not this an incentive to Us to
make our life, our words right? Our
words may be the created picture of
the uncreated word of God. Does
not this thought throw new light to
ue? Christ the son of God, inherits
the nature of tie Father and in
studying his life, his nature, we learn
of God. Troubles do not come from
Christianity, but from misrepresenta-
tions of Christianity, instead. The
incarnation was not the just utter
ance of God, Jesus Christ, the word
otGod, speaks in reason, in conscience,
speaks in the heart of every person.
Christ showed Gods nature and
character in human Ii e, to which he
came. What Jesus was, God is.
For motto, or thought to keep
with us constantly, let us take this :
What Jesus was, God il, for no man
hath seen God, but in seaing Christ
they saw the Father. What Chris y
was and said, God is and says; We
cling for very life to this doctrine, the
showing forth of Gods nature in
Christ's life. 1t is practical as a les
son to all of US. Oar words are to
be uttered after the example of God;
We may know better how our powers
are best to be used.
Have you thong ht how precious is
this power of speech that we may
communicate with each other? and
yet not more wonderful than that that
it is sadly misused. How many of our
sins are sins of speech. Let US see if we
cannot have our words come forth
more after the example OF God.
These words that are false, these
proud words, idle words, thoughtless
words, are all rebuked by this word,
when the word was made flesh and
dwelt among us.
When we say yea, do we always
mean yea, or do we make mental res
.ervatiOns, sort of social fibs or white
lies as they are called? Do we mis-
represent in business, use tricks in
political controversy, do our words
always represent our thoughts?
upl lllcIt is Jtlt lcbSOu vi
Christ took not upon himself the
nature of angels, but the nature of
man. He stopped to our very like
ness, took upon Himself the form of
a servant. See our boastngs, see
His humility and learn the rebuke.
Why this condescension? That babe
Christ in the manger was the simple
expression of Gods love and tender
ness.
Think then, of our lives. Are they
moved by such love? Think of the
word made fl sh, think then of the
condemnation of our idle words,
think before we speak, think of our
idle words that betray the confidence
of Others, that are pulling down when
we have nothing better to put in
their place, think of the unjust criti-
cisms.
We should set a watch over our
words, guard and give them proper
form and color. A resolution that
we may well adopt at this opening of
the year, or add to those already
adopted, if they he not already for
gotten, may be:-Let our words in
this year 1896 be more after the ex-
ample of the word of God. Have
our faith practical thing, and let
this he our prayer-set a watch be-