Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-09-19
Church Notes.

Rev. f. j. Guernsey preached very
practical sermon at the Methodist church
on Sunday morning. The announced
subject was "Reward of Intention" and
the text upon which the speakers re-
marks were based was the 21st verse of
the I'd Chapter of James, which reads
"Was not Abraham, our father, justified
by works, when he had offered Isaac, his
son, upon the altar" The words were
given as strong illustration of the
supplemented by the desire of David to
build the temple but from which purpose
he was prevented by circumstances that
he was unable to control. This exhibit
ton of faith by Abraham was the most
reliant and unselfish recorded in the
scriptures. Abraham believed God,
and it was impaired unto him for right
eousneSs," continues the sacred writer
But the line of demarkation is plainly
drawn between those who possess faith
and do not use it for good purposes, and
those who by their works make their faith
perfect. No merit is imputed to the
drone who merely believes, without put
ting his belief to practical purpose, or,
at least, making the attempt to do so.
Faith without works is as the body with
out the spirit, dead. The discourse was
one that opened up vital subject, and
doubtless was as edifying as 1t was prac-
teal.
The evening sermon at the Congrega-
tiOnal church was by the pastor, Rev.
Inn t,,tn cd IN,
part to commemorate the death of our
late lamented president, William McKin-
ley. The day was the first anniversary
of the death of the martyr to fiendish
hallucination, and was quite generally
mentioned by the clergy Of the entire
country. The text was from l Corinthi-
ans, 10, 10: "But by the grace of God |
am what am: and His grace which was
| bestowed upon rue was not in vain; but
| abored more abundantly than they all
yet not |, but the grace of God which
was with me-" The speaker paid high
tribute to the many eminent men who
fhad given much of their time and means
in the service of God. Holding the
| Saviour up as supreme among all those
who upon earth had made sacrifices and
performed meritOrious service, others,
from Paul in bible times, down to
Agassiz, William f. Dodge, to William
Mckinley, were commended. The sub
jet of the discourse was given much
praise for his spotless Christian life, amid
surroundings that had led so many other
wise eminent men from the path of recti-
tude. The speaker promised that the
character of Mckinley would shine
brighter as the ages roll by. and com
mended his course as an example of
emulation for the youth of the land.
At the Congregational church next
Sunday evening, 80 o'clock, the pastor
will preach the first of series of sermons
upon "Helps and Hindrances to Manly
Living.
|. The Importance of Courage.
II. The Blessing of Cheerfulness.
III. The Value of Companionship.
". The Ethics of Amusements.
V. The Reading Habit
At business meeting of the Christian
Endeavor Society of the Congregational
church held last Monday evening the
following officers were elected for the
coming year: President, Philip Mellen
vice.pres.. Miss Mabel Merrill secretary,
Miss Ida Lewis; treasurer, Mrs. Arthur
Eddy; chairman lookout committee.
Arthur Eddy; chairman prayer meeting
committee. Mrs. Thomas Simms: chair
man social committee, Miss Maud +
Melen; pianist, Miss Alice Brainerd.
Rev. A. L. Powell of Addison preach.
ed in the Baptist church Sunday in eX.
change with the pastor, Rev. E. o.
Taylor