Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-10-10

IedSu W pTeCeue IHt CelcDlutioh VI thS
Holy Sacrament. The theme was
"Cheerfulness," and his text from
John 1G: 80, the words selected being,
"Be of Good Cheer"
The Christian was appealed to, to
make his example one that would at
tract, instead of repel, those who might
be seeking to better their condition.
Confidence in God is the foundation of
all happiness; and that requirement
will bring bravery and courage. BE of
good cheer. is command to be as fully
lived up to as any other recorded in the
Bible A solemn visaged Christian is
not apt to attract followers. There is
too much brightness in the world for
even the afflicted to be forever down.
cast. Sorrows and troubles are fol-
lowed by blessings, if the experience is
guided by faith in God. Buoyancy of
spirits can be had for the asking if faith
and works go hand in hand. When
Paul was with the shipwrecked multi
tude his soothing words, be of good
cheer, changed the discouraged mariners
into hopeful, earnest workers, and those
who were ready to throw themselves
into the sea took on new hope and were
saved from disaster. Every person is
not naturally of a cheerful disposition,
but it is virtue that should be cult-
waited, and especially by the Christian.
Undue levity, however, should not be
mistaken for proper degree of cheer
fulness, but the determination to look
on the bright side of events will do
much to dispel the gloom that sur
rounds the life of many Christians who
could be happy if they would.
Three persons were taken into the
church; Miss Maude Roscoe into full
communion, and Miss Carrie Damon
and Miss Alice Blanche Smith on prOba-
ton.
Rev. Thomas Simms preached at the
Congregational church on Sunday morn
ing from Acts 1S:17: "Then all the
Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of
the synagogue, and beat him before the
Judgment seat. And Gallo cared for
none of these things" The discourse
was an appeal to the better classes. as
represented by church going people, to
/ take note of all public movements, and
by their action, direct public opinion in
/ the best channels, and prevent bosses
= and charlatans from prostitutlng the
, government to their selfish purposes.
Much complaint is heard of the manner
of conducting the official business of the
towns. municipalities and states, by
those in authority, from voters who
stand aloof from any personal action.
In government by the people, it is the
duty of every man to be a politician TO
the extent of giving his aid to have the
, best men nominated for office, by the
party to which he may be affiliated, and
then by his vote to aid in placing in
Office the best men nominated The
sermon was not political one, but the
trend of the remarks of the speaker
, was in the direction indicated. In the
evening the pastors discourse was the
!, second in the series of lectures on
"Helps and Hindrances to Manly Liv'
, ing
The bright autumn days seem to have
inspired the public teachers to an up
> lifting of ideas in their words of instruc-
ton. The text of Rev. f. o. Taylor, at
the Baptist church, was from Luke II =
say ublO NOu, llldl llhtNlcN Joy SIlhl
be in heaven over one sinner that re-
penteth, more than over ninety and nine
Just persons, which need no repent.
= ance." The speaker likened the rescu
, ing of a sinner from his downward
l course to the finding of Il child that wa:
lost, by fond Iparent. The children al
home, secure, are not given thought
while the anxiety of mind continues
;, during the search for the lost one. AnC
; the Joy of the household when the estray
q is returned was likened to the JOY il
n heaven by the angels, who know from
:. what an abyss of misery the rescued
=, soul has escaped. The human mind can
not realize, as can the seraphic beings
whose knowledge makes them the bes
8 Judges of the two cOnditions-the ont
h upon whom salvation has been con
: ferred. and the defiant or careless NOR
~ tai who is "sinnlng away the day o.
i grace" If the professors of religion
= would give their energies to the same
~ kind of work that the Saviour did, goins
:, among the poor and lowly, and eXpend
j" ing their influences TO rescue the faller
=
= the fold of every church would be en-
/, larged. On the contrary, there is I
e painful lack of zeal apparent in churcl
"a work, and sometimes the truth force!
a itself upon the observer, that the well
:, dressed churchman prefers no new re
n crults in the army of the Lord unless
= they come from the class to which ht
Il may belong. The chapter from which
Is the text is taken contains the parable o.
- the prodlgal son, and the lesson Their,
70 taught is one that comes home to many
Il a professed Christian in every congrega
~ ton.
Rev. w. II. Forsythe, at St. Stephens
e church, preached at both services OF
d Sunday. The bible class services have
o been resumed, and will take place every
2 Friday Immediately following the even
e song. The subject to be studied during
the season is, he Life of Jesus Chris
# as recorded in the four Gospels