Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-11-07
CHURCH NOTES.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The announcement of Communion,
and the reception of MEMBERS" gen.
orally brings out an unusually large
audience, and the delightful weather of
last Sunday made the country people
anxious to enjoy what few such days as
may be expected at the close of the
season.
Rev. Thomas Simms, pastor of the
church, occupied the pulpit and gave
lucid exposition of peculiar text 1t is
found in Philippians 3:14: 81 press
toward the mark" 1t is one Panls
straightforward expressions, and ought
not to be misunderstood. The speaker
stated, however. that there had been
various theories expressed by different
intention of the apostle in giving out
those five words. If he used this figure
of-speech to characterize his life work
as a long race, with the prize as eternal
life at the end of it, then the lesson
taught from this chapter is that the
great reward comes only when time
fades into eternity. A better rendering
of the text would be, that his purpose
was to attain to the perfect life of Jesus,
his patron, here upon earth, knowing
that everything desirable would follow.
lie declares that while he has long
struggled in the Christian life, making
much progress, he has not yet attained
into the excellency of his ideal. As he
follows the Saviour, he urges his dis
ciples to follow in quest of the same at
tainments - to be sharer in his suffer-
ings and to know the power of his
resurrection. The prize of which he
speaks is the character Of Jesus; the
struggle is to approximate here and now
unto it.
1t is a sublime thought that we do
not have to walt for eternity to unfold
the joys of righteous living. We can
be partakers of his grace while we are
battling against the cohorts of sin and
fearlessly pressing toward the mark.
A great mistake is made, however, by
many persons, that conversion of the sim
ner to Christianity is the end of the work.
In fact, it is only the beginning Pauls
conversion was striking and miraculous,
and his work constant and eflectual; yet
in writing to the Romans many years
after that event, he declares that life Is
still a struggle, in which he finds evil
eyer present, and though he is in good
faith teaching others, he fails to attain
the perfection he desires. Conversion to
Christianity is turning point from sinful
ways to better life. But the struggle
does not end there. 1t is like placing a
graft upon tree; 1t is promise of i'm
proved fruitage, but does not produce
perfection at once. The convert must
not believe that he or she has attained to
the perfect Christian by the one act.
All should strive to grow in grace.
Prayer watchfulness and conflict must
be maintained. Temptation will come
to all. Prayer and following the dictates
of conscience is the only refuge from sin.
While we come to Christ for rest we
must expect to take his yoke upon us,
and by bearing 1t grow strong and spirit
! ually healthful. Obstacles arise in the
Christian life as in every life pursuit.
The gardener finds an enemy to every
plant he endeavors to raise. He must
use skill and industry to overcome them,
or his planting will be time and effort
wasted. So the person who starts out to
serve God and attain perfection must
battle continually, and every successful
effort will make the next one more easy,
while imparting Joy and satisfaction for
the work accomplished.
The Congregational church. at bust
ness meeting held last Thursday, voted
to accept and adopt the form of admission
and the confession of faith recommended
by the committee on the New Church
Manual. Ii was used for the first time
last Sunday, when five persons were re-
ceived into the church.