Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1899-12-13

lh#HkzE4 E#.- sermon preached At the M
tartan church H RIB Nov So lSaa by
rev. =. ri lIAms the Congregational
church
As review the agencies that have been
a. WOEA s..ss.ng tuG world NOT oHiy
during the past year. but during the
century which is also slipping away, am
most thankful for the ennobling in
fuences and the works of practical beneti-
cence which have proceeded from the
church o. God, for the lessons she has
taught. Tor the inspiration she has given,
ana for the noble examples she has fur
nished. Aud as l.ssk myself What per
tains most es-entisily to the welfare OF
this community at the present time, l can
give no other answer than this: The
purity, E.E-r and comprehensive scope of
the Christian church IN our midst. 1t is
because OF this that have chosen to dis
cuss to-Ggy the relation which the church
sustaius . our social welfare.
suppose he sympathies of all of Us are
with the fundamental principles and slms
of Christianity. Our sympat HES are with
them because we believe moreor less posi-
lively that these principles are true and
these aims are good. We are glad to see a
true Christian spirit leavening society and
bringing iurlu fruits ot right living.
But wonder II we al equally believe in
me institutions that embody these prin-
ciples ana ms, as this is effected in the
eomprehg asive Christian ch, reh Of Els
worth. + wonder II there is very clear
sense Of a1eb.-dness 10 these specific in
situations Tor much ot the blessing which
as q COM IS we enjoy together. for
stimulating, directing, restraining and
enrichiAg Tie spirit Of the place.
There : q manifest tendency to under
estimate the worth OF the institution OF
religion and to depend on other outgrow-
ing religious agencies under the i'm
preston that they Will prove quite suffi-
ctent = aH= eeds This tendency Is
apparent II We take census of church
attendance from Sunday 10 sunday. The
total represents mere pittance in COM
paElson with tbs population OF the place,
ana an exec iugly poor showing in com
parison with the actual mum Der in the
place ~ee would class themselves as
Christian. In othe- places ne same con-
ditions exist, and It is time to ask the
question OF serious minded people " het her
they are hasiAainG TO harbour the im-
preston that the church may be praeti
oalIy dispeHssd with uow, and other
forms Of social interest engage Us?
know somewhat Of the cal=es that go
to work out this practical conclusion.
The absorbing demands OF industrial,
commercial and professional life; the
growing spirit OF philanthropy outside the
church W hich seems to be rel ION enough ;
and Impotence with the slowness with
which the church has adjusted itself to
changing conditions, together with the
uninspiring character OF preaching; all
of these things and others have operated
unconsclously to work spirit OF indif-
ference, which shows itself on me part OF
many who never go anywhere 20 worship,
and on the part of others who secure sit
tings and mean to attend regularly on
Christmas and Easter, and on he part OF
many others hose attachment: Is OF the
most tickle and whimsical sort, as II they
we're mere children playing an afternoon
at some childish game. IL isa timely ques-
ton to put to all, whether We still believe
the church has an essential function to
perform in working out the we'll being Of
the community?
Is it an affair of so little Significance
that we can without harm neglect IL II we
choose? Ii 1t means, as believe II does,
the call of God to His people 10 sit before
Him and learn the lessons OF he spirit !;
that they may be fitted to live rightly
with each other that they'll may be moved
to choose between the good and the bad,
the worthy and the wort bless, and be
furnished unto every good, wordsnd work
In the family and the larger circle OF the
community, then ought We not to join
together heartily to make it serve this end !;
not for the sake OF the institution, but
because of the great work it has yet to do
Tor US?
"a desire to name two functions the
tturch performs which seem to me to be
vital to the welfare OF any people. They
are functions which it as an organization
has a specific fitness to dice barge, and are
of an inspirsl ional character.
/. These institutions stand in our COM
munity for divine point OF view, ever
putting us into the way of seeing things
through the yes Of the spirit, and in the
light of the being of God.
1t was an ifonical remark OF Napoleon
that God Is always on the side Of the
heaviest bat atoms. His words EN- body a
bit OF fallacy which has just enough OF
z briiliancy snt force to keep 1t alive. His
insinustior vas, that men were left to
struggle oui heir strifes and to work out
ss~sr nrnh5atn- alone. The battle is 20