Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-04
At THE CHURCHES.
Evange|ists Hold Meetings
At Friends Church.
Sacred Heart Pensioners
Help Earthquake Victims.
Week Of Prayer Opens at the Con.
gregationaI Church. =

Mark and Stella Smith. evanaeists from
Philadelphia, held evanseistic services
yesterday afternoon and evening at the
Friends church Good congregations Were
in attendance at both services, which
We're thoroughly spiritual in character,
and there was marked religious at
mosphere in all of the exercises. Mr..
Smiths sermons We're of a practical ne
ture, taking hold on the hearts of the
listeners. Their songs We're full of inspi-
ration There was unanimous desire
that the evangelsts should return for a
series of services in IIallowel. Mr.. and
Mrs. Smith have spent several years in
Salvation Army work. their last post be
ing at Washington, ID. G.
At the various services at the CHURCH
of the Sacred Heart yesterday collections
were taken up for the sufferers by earth
quake at Messina The offerings We're
very liberal.
ihe first of the union services observ-
ing the Week of Prayer We're held last
evening at the Congregational church
with very encouraging prospects for the
success of the object. a good consrega-
ton was present. Rev. III. l.. Nichols OF
t-.e Methodist church preached sermon
full of earnestness and rich in thought.
His theme was ''Why Should We Pray?'
Text, Job Xxi15-"What is the Almighty
that we should serve Him? And what
profit should we have if we pray unto
Him." Among other things the preacher
said:
This is the question of the prosperous
wicked in the day of Job. They see him.
a servant of God. yet afflicted, smitten.
evidently forsaken. They contrast their
own prosperity and plenty with his ad-
versity and then taunt him with the
words of our text. In these days the
same question is raised by the intideltE
which denies the very existence of God.
on that which discredits the supernatural
in Christianity. 1t is the question of RAJ
tionalism that denies anything that rea-
son cannot fathom, or it may be the cry
Of some discouraged saint who seeming
~ prays in vain. The question is of the
greatest importance. Is there any prom
in serving God or in praying unto HIM:
II the Infinite God can he reached by
finite man, it is for his highest interest
to so reacI. him. His temporal and eter-
nal well being is secured thereby. SO it is
the supreme duty and highest privilege
to come unto him by prayer and reap
the benefits in soul and body that low
ing Father mas to bestow upon His ODE
dent children First of all we should
pray because it is an instinct of our ma
ture Man universally prays 1t is nat
ural to pray. We are at our best When
following our God-siven instincts. we are
made for communion with God. hence
should know Him as5an accessible friend
and a prayer-answering God
Again. prayer is the revealed will OF
God declared in His word. The Old les
lament is full of wonderful illustrations
OF the value and profit of prayer. Christ
tv precept and personal example enforces
its necessity and gives instruction as to
how we should pray.
Again. Gods relations toward us are
changed by prayer. His purpose is al
WAYS to do His children good. but HIS
dealings with us are actually changed
when we pray unto Him and allow Him
TO answer our petitions as He sees best
As sinners He cannot bless our souls I'M
til we confess our sins and ask Him 10
save us from their quiet and power.
PRAYER also works a radical change in us.
our spiritual natures are quickened and
Maker. Jacob at Pencil is a good illus
,ration of the great fact, Our material
concerns also are affected as we ask God
for QUE daily bread and for directions In
life's affairs.
Our effectiveness as Christian workers
is greatly increased by prayer CHRIST
was under the necessity of prayer SO
are we, and our effectiveness Will be IN
proportion to the time we spend upon our
knees, in proportion for Gods service
Lastly, prayer fits us for Heaven We
must learn the language down here. We
must become acquainted with Christ by
q holy fellowship in the present II we
would dwell in His presence etefhaiiN'
These reasons are sufficient to snow us
that there is infinite profit in serving the
Almighty and in praying unto him.
IJ;-t lido RartOn SDent Yesterday