Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-10-31
CHURCH NOTES.
BAPTIST CHURCH.

There was not large attendance or
very warm atmosphere at the Baptist
church on Sunday morning, but the
genial demeanor and CHEEKY words of
the pastor, Rev. f. o. Taylor, soon pro-
duced beams of interest among the
audience that made all forget any physi-
cal discomfort and filled the vacant
seats with glow of warmth.
The title of the theme, "a Business
Letter to Philemon seemed unique,
until the pastor read the chapter that
comprises the entire book of Philemon,
and the pathetic, trustful, yet pleading
words of the apostle gave evidence that
the business was not merely of worldly
interest, but of deep spiritual concern.
The twenty verses of the book are
sermon in themselves, and the speaker
brought out their beautiful lesson in
very comprehensive manner.
Paul was a prisoner, and wrote to his
friend, Philemon, commencing him for
his uniform good works, and begging
forgiveness for Onesimus, the runaway
slave of Philemon, who, though he had
previously been of little value, had,
since his conversion to Christianity,
become, the apostle said, profitable to
thee and to me-" The difference between
the dogged character of the slave and
the intelligent free man, as he was then
represented enlighted by the knowledge
of gospel truths, is made to illustrate
the convert of today in comparison with
his former self, who was often not only
a worthless character, but in his manner
a hndIance to those who may be asso-
ciated with him in any individual capa-
city.
The delicate lines of the writer, in not
commanding his friend to do the act
desired, but suggesting what good would
come of it, is a model in its persuasive
nature, to be followed by the Christian
of today.
The conversion of the master was fol-
lowed by the conversion of the slave,
though a distance of hundreds of miles
separated them. Who doubts that God
effected this special work for special
purpose? The criminal may flee 10 he
uttermOst parts of the earth. but his
conscience is always with him. Some
reminiscent incident from his boyhood
home. brought to mlnd by trifling cir
cumstance, may lead to a train of
thought that will eventually change the
entire course of his life.
The boys and girls who leave country
homes for city life may be for a time
daZed by the spectacular visions they
come in contact with. the artificial at
mosphere by which they are surrounded
and carried along, but those who have
had religious training are more than
likely to hear the voice of conscience,
and retrieve their fallen estate. while the
unfortunates who have no basis of better
thought are swept away In the mael-
strOm of sin.
The speaker cited many instances of
the workings of Divine grace, in the
cases Of men in bible times especially,
who were brought up from nothingness
to positions of prominence. Mark had
no Intellectual power until be became
converted to Christianity, when he wrote
book that is a model in Its cearness of
diction and boldness of stvle, and has
few equals in the sacred writings.
The citations of the speaker were
Illustrative of the power of prayer, and
his fervent appeal was not to leave all
for the minister and the Sunday school
teacher Christian fathers and mothers.
you have duties besides placing your
names on the church records. and at
tending divine services. Gather your
dear ones around the family altar and
pour out your appeals to the throne of
grace. The words there and thus spoken
have resOunded through broken hearts
in after years, and brought back many
erring ones to plead for forgiveness.
The subject of the morning sermon on
Sunday next will be FISHERS of Men"