The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-12-31
address By Sec'y. Berry Of Civic
League.
Vote Taken to Sustain
Sheriff Pearson.
The Watch Night Service This
Evening.

On Sunday morning Rev. w. f. Berry,
secretary OF the Msine Civic league,
smoke at the Warren Congregational
church, Cumberland Mills, to large
audience. Mr.. Berry's text was taken
from Luke 1887 do thou and DO
likewlse,n ana his subject was, what
IL it to be q Christian?" He rail- In part'
The last Sunday in the 18th century Is
a lifting time to consider the great ques-
ton, What IL 1t to tie Chris IL Is
tha motives that dominate the heart OF
a human being that makes him Chris
t,an. liz ts a mistaken idea to think thar
Christianity consists largely oil cnstons'
forms and ceremonies. In the pnraoie Oh
the Good Samaritan, Jesus has taught US
what Christianity really IL. Nothing IN
the new testament brings out 80 well
what is Involved in the Christian IRE
The priest and the Levite who passed
nv on the other side, and the robber who
sprang out upon the man In the Jeriono
road, were actuated by similar motive
that of ssltishness; but the Samaritan
had COMPASSION on the wounded way
farer. This is the Christian life, to
have compassion on life S highway Tor
every need of humanity. 1t is not the
creed we assent to, 1t IS not the church
to whion we belong, 1t is the motive we
display that makes US truly Christians.
We are In danger of thinking as the
priest and Lsvite that when we have per-
formed ritual and ceremonies cur Chris
tian duties are at an end. 1t Is not by
length OF testimony in prayer meetings,
not by regularity in church attendance,
nor by activity In parish affairs, but by
the motive that dominates our actions In
the affairs of life that we shall be
judged.
We are not making the progress here
in this church at Cumberland Mills
that we ought. The same can be said
of every church in city, state and ma
ton, We Go not need more revival SER
vices we have had too many Of them.
Only when every member Of the church
has the spirit OF Christ within them
Will come increased spiritual results.
The demand of today upon the church
memb ers is for them to seek out the
young men and women who are not
Christians; to reach by personal effort
those who are being robbed of their
spiritual nature.
The church has duty in regard to
matters connected with the affairs of
state and country. There is no greater
robber than the saloon; 1t leaves thou
sands OF people half dead upon the high
way of life. What is our responsibility
in regard to this matterp 1t is not pos
sjble to stop the sale OF liz uor entirely.
Do not deceive yourselves by thinking
that 1t is. But 1t is possible to greatly
restrict it. This law against the sale of
intoxicating liquors is openly and
fagrantlvs violated. sShall wo piss by
the opportunity for service here in check
ing evilY
The Christian Civic league has made
an attempt to fedeIate the forces OF the
state that are working for Righteousness.
We cannot expect that better state OF
things Will be brought about SO long as
the moral forces of the state ara indiffer-
emit In the matter OF enforcement or law.
II we 10 uOb care db~6il lOI Wuoe OuSht
to be, we cannot make what orght to
be possible.
/ congratulate you OF Cumberland
county upon your recent victory, but I'M
less you unite In an effort to assist the
an thorities, the efforts of the sheriff and
his deputies to enforce the law will be
largely abortivs.
UNION TEMPERANCE MEETING.
In the evening Rev. Mr.. Berry addressed
a union temperance meeting at the West
brook Congregational church About AGO
were present. Mr.. Berry urged the nee1
OF better enforcement of the prohibitory
law. He referred to the election OF a
prohibitionist, Kev. S. II. Pearson, as
sheriff of Cumberland county, and sug-
gested that what Is now needed Is the
moral support and encouragement OF
the people Of the county. The speaker
suggested that Mr.. Pearson could net
close all the saloons at once, neithsr will
he be able to suppress liquor selling al
together, as 1t will be sold as long as 1t Is
made, but with the support of the people
MIR. Pearson viii DO able to close up the
public places and minimize the sale of
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