The Portland daily press., 1898-11-14
HIGH STREET CHURCH.
Opened Yesterday for First Time Since
Early Summer.

Early Summer.
For the first time since July last. the
doors of the High street church were
opened yesterday to the congregation.
with its interior walls thoroughly re deco
rated in prevailing tints Of light yellow
and blue, giving to the sanctuary mel
low light.
There was a large attendance and ap-
propriate services were condcted by the
pastor, Rev. DE-. Fem, who read the
Psalm beginning 'How.animated are thy
tabernacles, o Lord of Hosts, " and in the
morning took his text from Psalms 1867,
Return unto Thy rest. o My Soul"
He referred to the fact that his people
after temporary absence had como back
to their place of worship and that depri-
walton now and then was necessary that
we may better appreciate benefits.
An illurtration was drawn from the
history OF America To our fathers was
given state without king, d church
without bishop. institutions whose
ideals were justice. liberty and individual
manhood. We fell out of these and
wrought injustice privilege and slavery.
The time came when, after great effus1on
Of blood, we were made to restore In part
the right we had wronged, and bring In
once more a truer and nobler nation,
, mora perfect and more glorious national
life.
Touching upon the reasons which led
.-.,-IS L.. ,xk.~d oburof. tho anaakar eaid
some went from sense of duty, know.
ing little about God or the love of Christ.
Others are attracted by aesthetic features.
They like to listen to beauriful music and
rest their eyes on things artistic. Then
again there are persons who are caught by
the minister and go for intellcctural rea-
sons There is also GLASS which might
be called FOUNDERS or tramps, who come
in late, stand in the aisle and take offense
If not escorted to their seats with prompt
ness.
DR.. Fem showed the true uses of the
church. The Christian seeks it to find
communion with God. 1t is place where
the spirit of Christ is shed abroad and
which Is dear to Christians through its
associations. 1t is home. The house in
which wo live may be nsibher the most
commodious nor elegant, but it is my
home There are many places at which
wa may drink. but the water of the well
az which we drank in youth, to us there
is none like It, Our spiritual home may
differ from every other In form and
beauty, but to those who have long been
wonted to it, 1t is dear beyond all speech.
It is for reasons like these that we
vsnerats and love this church, that we re-
ioice after temporary absence 20 return
again to look upon each others faces, to
ra-oacupy the old principles and to walk
in the former ways with increasing joy.
As David made a double of his inner
nature and discoursed with himself, and
with his soul, SO we turn to all which is
deeper within US, and making bis deepest
self iInmedi and personal. we say with
unbounded gratitude to God, Return
unto they rest, o My Soul. -
The impressiveness of the service both
morning and evening, was enhanced by
music selected for the occasions by th e
organist, MIR. James A. Balm, the pro-
eramme of which was published in Sstur-
days PRESS.
Among the very notable numbers in the
morning were the Te Deum, Gloria, and
the duet by Miss Varney and Mr.. No
Ronald. Miss varney's soprano rang ont
clearly and her singing was a subject of
very favorable comment.
In the evening a chorus of voices sang
very effectively the anthem Twelfth Mass,
and solo by Miss Harriet Foster was
given with marked expression and purity
of tone. Pilgrims chorus from Tanhauser
was grandly rendered and in "Hark
Those voices.,'' the baritone sole by Mr..
Whipple deserves warm commendation.
Great credit is due Mr.. Balm, under
whose direction this excellent music was
prepared and executed.