Norwich bulletin., 1913-12-22

cord: There seems to be no common key or rythm or motif.
 Discord in the Human Heart. Locating the discord, the first step, i reveals it in the human heart. Each taking itself as in tune and all others sharp or fiat. Sometimes the attempt Is made to cover up this discord by greater noise, but earths Christmas carols can never drown out the walls of the worlds woes and want. One may disclose the discordant step in an organ. but the protests of eartf's un- fortunates is not to be strangled in their throats.
 Harmony With Gods Will.
 The one cure for discord is to attune 1t into harmony. Not harmony with any personal opinion or preference, but such harmony with Gods will and way for the whole world that earth's dis cord shall be turned to concord through the fuldlmenl of the mission of h1m who comes as the Princegof Peace.
 Following the evening worship a large audience enjoyed the Christmas recitl on the Pope memorial organ.
 At the Central Baptist Church.
 For a large congregation at the Gen. tra1 Baptist church Sunday the pas- tor. Rev Joel B. Slocum, D. D.. took for his morning subject, The Best Gift. The text was Rom. 8: 32. He that spared not his own Son, but freely delivered him up for us all. how shall he not with him freely give us all things" Also II Co g. 15 Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift"
 What Is the Best Gift?
 Among other things Dr. Slocum said. The argument of the text is from the greater to the less If God spared not His own Son, it cannot be sup posed for a moment that the infn- itely lesser gifts of life will be omit ted
 In the confusion of an endless null tipleity of tokens, we sometimes hear the inquiry: What is the best gift ?'' As though there could be any one best thing in the world, full of exquisite remembranceS
 But evidently there are preferences. Some would emphasize the costliness of the gift: some the intrinsic value; some the pleasure that it is capable of conveying to the recipient.
 Jesus Is for All.
 Taking our hint from this last, are we not ready to admit that Jesus is the best gift because He is for all, the rich and the poor, the old and the young, the sick and the sorrowing, the tired and the tempted? Even the people who have not yet accepted Him are daily and hourly receiving the benefits of His blessings. People can refuse to admit Christ into their creeds but they cannot keep Him out of their atmosphere.
 One of the most pathetic things in all history is the Jews rejection of Jesus. No people in the world have received more benefits from Christian ity than have the Hebrews. The Christ of nineteen centuries ago is still blessing the world, and it is a marvellous tribute to Him that at this season of the year there is uni versaI recognition of Him and His spirit.
 Our Greatest Word.
 Jesus is the best gift because He appeals to the best that is in life. He has introduced into our vocabulary it's greatest word-love. Wherever He Is received He carries a power that transforms character.
 Thanks be unto God for this un- speakable gift"
 First Baptist Church.
 The regular Christmas service was held at the First Baptist church Sun day. The church was decorated with Christmas greens. Special music was sung at both morning and evening ser vices by the choir, Mrs. Louis Wheeler, Mrs. Herbert Wiley, Stephen Peekham and William Case.
 The pastor, Rev. George H. Strouse, preached strong, helpful Christmas sermons, taking for his morning theme The First Christmas Tree. One day l teacher and scholar went out walking. As the sun was sinking in all it's beau-' ty and glory behind the western hills, the teacher said to scholar: There's a scene; paint it." The scholar re- piled after a moments pause: T can't paint glory" Finite tongue or pen can never describe the wondrous glory and significance of Jesus birth.
 Jesus Belongs to the World.
 We never tire visiting Bethlehem. Jesus was born there. Bethlehem doesn't belong to Palestine, it is th. ton can localize Jesus. He belongs to the world. Italy remembers Garlpaldi with pleasure, but only Italy. Germany delights in Bismarck, but not France. France remembers Napoleon, but Eng land despises him. We love to think of Washington, but England doesn't celebrate Washington's birthday. Jesus is the one of all the ages who makes it possible for every nation to realize its fondest hope and it's most cherished ideals.
 Three Great Gifts.
 When Jesus came to earth three great gifts for all the world were seen hanging on that first Christmas tree:
 IA new conception of God God had long been misunderstood and mis- interpreted. Jesus came to give us the true conception of the Father Two thoughts in this conception are worth noticing.
 (a) Gods thought of others. Selhsh- ness cries out for No. 1. God cries out in the language of John 8: Is, Let this truth shine out in letters of gold.
 (b) Gods presence in the world. God is here to guide, protect and con- fort. Because of this great gift, the memory of Jesus will ever remain fresh In the worlds history.
 II-The promise of new humanity, new life is possible for all in Jesus. Jesus never doubted this. He was an optimist because he was con stantly thinking of God.
 lII-A new inspiration. How sadly the world needed an inspiration. MeT were asking: 'Is life worth while?' : Does this life end all?' Jesus an- swers these questions and we enter the contest with new life, determined to live the noblost and best and wia heaven at last.
 Church of the oGod Shepherd.
 Rev. Joseph F. Cobb, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Universalist took for his Chris tmas subject The Transforming Gift, on Sunday morn ing. The text was II Cor. g: 15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift'
 The gift that is transforming the world is this unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ whose name we hallOW. and