The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-06
Listens to Sermon By
Former Rector.
CONF RMATION RITE
Administered in the Epis-
copal Churches.

| Inc pulpit at st. Mark Episcopal
! Church was filled at the morning SER
vice yesterday by Rev L. C. Steward
| son, who was rector of this church five
! years ago. Rev. Henry c. Washburn,
| present rector of st. Marks, read the
lesson, and the sermon was by Rev.
Mr.. SteWardson.
he took his text from Acts 9-23, and
spoke in part as follows:
"A Greek philosopher said that into
the same river one cannot venture
twice. Everything changes. A strange
city visited the second time shows the
truth of this We see the change in
IT'S buildings and its inhabitants. But
IL is equally true that no river receives
the same man twice
There is an inward flow to the minds
OF all. We may speak of the physical
changes, but there are greater changes
IN ourselves. What we call nature is
but our own conceit of what we are.
Ihere came a change in the life of
saul OF Tarsus, and he was able to
see things in new light. Such
cnange comes as a shock, and no one
IS lnsenslble to them. These things are
what are seen. But we are not able
TO appreciate gradual change. We are
not sure that Sauls change was sud
gen. 1t may have grown upon him
J J, as lhe changes in ourselves that
we do not notice.
Inc changes in our ideas are due to
changes in ourselves Hypnotism
Iaith-curlng and the like, have ALWAYS
existed. but we did not understand
them as we do now and we think that
there has been a change in the nature
have now we
Loyalty to an idea or a truth does
not mean that it must be held for ali
tline IN Its original form. 1t must he
given a chance to grow. Religion is
looked upon by some men as a deposit
OF truth, and their idea is to hold and
then return the deposit without enrich
Ing II. we cannot carry ideas in our
i Iuliius as we carry marbles in our
POCKETS. II we do, the result is not to
make them stronger, but to weaken and
uWafi them To transmit our relig-
iouS pellet to posterity as we received
II from the saints, would be deplora-
Ihose of whom I am speaking are
Inose VINO have tried to keep the new
80 $50 ~ oIu pottIes, who are trying to
LINK OF God and duty as their fathers
ana: New events have made new ex-
perlences and we have now a vital
experience in God. He is loyal to the
Ialth he holds who gives it a chance
to grow
But we must have care how we
Iii9he the changes. There is a bad
me as ven as good to the question.
ne abldlng principle should be not 10
resist the change, but make the change
Ilsnl; creed for gain has made a new
soclal life. Men used to be nroud If
not chan and duty. Since change we
In change is ftfif tie to it that we are
would be willing ( 10 Fi9FIY; ..Wla, world
In change lies our trust, our hope or
salvation.
Ring out the old ring in the new:
Ring out the false, ring in the true"
After the service, holy communion
was administered by Rev Washburn,
st. Marks was visited in the evening
by Bishop William Lawrence, bishop
or this diocese. A class of five was
confirmed. In his remarks to the can
dldates, Bishop Lawrence explained
the meaning of conservation and told
them to be steadfast in their VOWS and
lead consecrated lives. He also deliv-
cred the evening sermon, taking for his
text several verses from Matthew xvi
The subject of his discourse was pub
lie opinion" but before he began the
theme, he expressed his pleasure at
Seeing rev. MT. SteWafQSOn at his Old
place once more.
In his sermon he showed the value
Christ put upon public opinion but he
shaped his final work from the an
sWer given by his immediate friends:
Whom do men say, that l, the son of
man. am? But whom say We that 1
am?"
He thought churches should be gov
erned to some extent by what those
outside of the church said of the work
within, but warned against accepting
advice from those who knew nothing
Of the question. The answer given by
Peter he said, was creed, a confess
sion OF faith. Throughout the history
of the church creed has been its bull
Wark. The backbone of the faith has
| been the confession of Peter. Only
| those entering into the spirit of Christs
inner life are able to speak of it. No
man or woman can have adequate
knowledge of God without worship
This week will witness the tenth an
| nlVersary of the occupation of the
present buidinr bv the congregation
| of St Marks Church.