Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-02-21
REV. NATHAN S. HILL

The following report is only a brief
resume of the deeply affecting and in
spring sermon delivered by Rev. N. S.
Hill as pastor of the UniVerSalist
Church. 1t was in no sense farewell
discourse" except in the closing SEN
tences. The text was selected from St.
PauPs 1st epistle to the Corinthians.
3:21-23 "All things are yours" Here
is a pen picture from the realm of
thought connected with the first Christ
ian century. In looking backward we
are apt to think the early Christians
were of one mind, heart and soul in
faith and practice. But human nature is
the same the world over. When found
ing church at Corinth, ST. Paul found
sectarian interests at work The mem
bership was divided in loyalty Some
were deeply attached to st. Paul, others
were just as truly devoted to Apollos.
and yet a third party was not back
ward in urging the claims of st. Peter.
And so in that ancient and beautiful
city of Corinth, land and home of poets,
philanthropists, statesmen, artists and
merchant princes, the great apostle to
the Gentiles desired to establish a
Christian church as best he could; he
would harmonic conditions, rather than
antagoniZe, he would attract all parties,
rather than repulse single soul.
1t was a grand statement that he
made: cali things are yours" and if
we have the spirit of the master whom
we profess to follow, we shall find ii
true. Yes, dear friends, all things are
ours, If we have the vital Christian
spirit. Paul, Apollos Peter, James,
John, all the martyrs and confessors OF
these nineteen Christian centuries are
| ours, If we only enter into the essential
spirit and life of their teachings.
The world is ours as a dwelling place,
and we can make it an ever present hea-
ven If we but follow 'the Prince of
Peace
Life is ours, with all its besetments,
trials, temptations, it's days of gladness
and its hours of sorrow
Death, too, is ours, and it opens the
door higher up for "the eternal Ged is
our refuge and underneath are the
everlasting arms"
Things present and things to come, -
are ours, for both are included in the
eternal purpose of our heavenly father.
All these factors in the life that now
is belong to US. But we are related
to higher fellowship. We belong TO a
higher and diviner brotherhood in
Christ. In the final evolution of souls
man is linked to Christ, and Christ leads
us to the father of the spirit of all
flesh. May the peace of God be with us
eVermore.
For three years 1 have gone in and out
before you. / have broken the bread of
life as l have known and felt by the WITT
| ness Of the enternal spirit My life has
mingled with yours. I have rejoiced
with you in days of gladness. l have
wept' with you beside the open grave.
] have loved this church as the apple of
mine eye. / pray God for unity and
| prosperity. My message has been a re-
! ligion of peace, goodwill and catholicity.
Ye are my witnesses that my work has
| been construction. As we stand within
| the shadow of the birthdays of Wash
ington, the father of our country, and
Lincoln. its political savior, l can bor-
row the words of our national emanci-
pator and say in all sincerity With
malice toward none, with charity for
all"
Counsel 1 do not give. But the chart
and compass of the true Christian faith
/ is summed up in that divinely beautiful
sermon on the mount by our lord and
savior Jesus Christ. Follow that in the
letter and the spirit and you will know
no change except the glory that excel
| leth. Remember the words of the holy
St Paul, and let them become your
daily monitor, 'And now abideth faith,
hope and charity, but the greatest of these
is charity" My closing words are from
st. Jude, Now unto him that is able to
guard you from stumbling and to pre-
sent you before the presence of his glory
without blemish in exceeding joy to the
only God our savior through Jesus
Christ our Lord, the glory sna mie ",
dominion and power before 81 SINE md
now and for evermore. Afeu