The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-11-22
FAMILY SUNDAY.
How 1t Was Observed at the Free Bap-
list Church.

1t was Family Sunday at the First
Baptist church yesterday, day specially
set aside for the reunion of the family at
the church, sort of forerunner OF the
later reunion in the week at the aoous-
toned Thanksgiving festival.
The pastor, Rev. W. S. Ayres, delivered
a very appropriate sermon taking his text
from Rev. 81; II, whatsoever will, let
him take OF the water of :. life freely" He
said in part:
"In our observance of Thanksgiving
it is we'll to note that we need the empha-
sis which this season places on the home.
The family is not only divine institu-
ton, it was founded many centuries be-
fore the church was born. The welfare of
the church is indissolubly linked with
that OF the home and it is possible that
we do not enough hold in mind that the
greatest evangelizing agency placed with
IN reach Of the church is the fireside.
OF course we are commanded to carry
the gospel message to every land, but the
supreme duty of every Christian next to
God is to his own family altar. A
here would mean marvellous gain to the
church. Therefore are gathered together
in our pews today, parents and children
that on one Sunday in tine ear we may
worship God as families.
We are accustomed to give thanks for
the blessings..we have received. But we
ought to be more grateful for the great
| y IT, a. \
glad if we have enjoyed material pros
perity but we ought to rejoice farImoreIthat
God offers to work out in us a larger
manhood during the coming year. This
passage is embodied.in4 that glowing de-
scription of Heaven, and when we are
shown the wonders of the Heavenly Life,
God says. you may take it and make 1t
your own. There are none perhaps who
will not admit the desire to Give larger
and better. lives. The thrilling message
Of this day is that this larger life may be
yours II you will only take it. There is
no such thing as getting Heaven any
more than you can get the air by clutch
ing at 1t with your hands, but you may
open your heart and take Heaven into
your life as you may breathe In the fresh
| air?
SIT would not be necessary to seek God
| with much striving If we did not wander so
| far in sin that we cannot realize His near
ness. When we recognize that He stands
before US we have nothing to do but to
take Elm into our lives and the trans
formation He will work during this COM
ing year will be more than we can imag-
inc. This is the solid rock on which the
nation can safely build an enlarged and
transformed life. That is not patriotism
which shouts for war on the least provo
cation. The only patriotism worthy of
the name is that which seeks to build up
better manhood We will have better
citizens; better officers and better govern
ment only when we can have better
men,.
The usual Sunday school concert in the
evening was of more than ordinary in
| terest. There were special Rotations by
Lewis Mortensen, George Jason, Minnie
Hunt, Alice Mundee, Emily Mitchell and
Susie Tyler. The theme uppermost in
mind was that of Thanksgiving and
the Rotations all were along this line
and were interspersed with music by the
church chorus in which the children
Joined. The evening was notably made
The occasion of Thanksgiving offerings
for the poor in the shape of money, food
and clothing.
| youNc HooDIuMS.