Norwich bulletin., 1917-09-17
SPECIAL PROGRAMMES
 WELCOME REV. PURKiSS
New Central Baptist Pastor Geeeted by Large Congregation Sunday.

WELCOME REV. PURKtSS7
 New Central Baptist Pastor Geeeted by Large Congregation Sunday.
 
 The. occasion of the entrance of the Rev. Arthur F. Purlziss upon his pas- torate at the Central Baptist church was marked by special programmes at the various services of the church on Sunday. The church was most beau- tifhlly decorated with hydrangeas, these flowers being arranged on the broad window-ledges and along the pulpit platform, most effectively. Introductory remarks were made for Smith. MT. Smith said: Today is i enc to which we have long been look ing forward with hope and prayer. We ara confident that here is a-man se-s iected by God to be our pastor, to be our spiritual inspiration and leader. Our work together has just begun and we must remember that no matter how spiritual the leadership, how untiring the fullest accomplishment cannot be realized unless we do our share. With this in mind, we feel that we are still looking forward to the most suc- cessfuI and spiritual era of our
 MT. Purlkfss in reply. emphasize of Mr. Smiths words, that no pastor can do without the earnest help and CO., operation of the church. Success de- bends not alone on the man at the head, but on the man and the people. Back of the minister must be the prayers and love of the people. MT. Purkiss spoGSe of the evidences of this intention in the earnest words ad, dressed to him through MT. Smith
 and the loving preparation shown in the beauty of the decorations through out the church.
 Mir Purkiss read as his Scripture less the tenth chapter of Mark and
 took for the theme of his sermon, Re- ligiOn as Life.
 Sometimes, he said, we have the con-
 ception that church and religion are one and the same thing. Such Is not
 the case. The church is the pro-
 duct of religion but it is not religion. We hear 1t said sometimes that the
 churches are all alike that they are There is some good in all churches, the vitality of their message depend
 ing on us, as well as the character of
 it.
 Again we sometimes think of the church as the embodiment of creed and those not able to subscribe to the articles of that creed feel that bar rier to belonging to church. The There are great many people out
 in the world who have more religion than some of those who are in church living up to hard and fast creed.
 Sometimes think that sacrifice is religion. That a life filled with con- scious and patiently borne sacrifice is the truly religious life. Religion is a devotion to high and noble things voluntary sacrifice.
 As Jesus conceives it, religion is life, abundant mental, physical, spir- itual life No one really knows what philosophers and scientists. The only way to know life is to experience it. There lies the danger of teaching and preaching, since 1t cannot be describ- ed.
 The religion of Jesus brings a deep satisfaction. Most religions fail here giving only spirit of restlessness. l Jesus came to bring peace into the l It is difficult for imperfect man to en- l ter irlO this.
 Much is said today of salvation by | character. The gospel teaches us sal | any man in the right way. no matter of what race, or color, or character. God establishes relations with him through Jesus.
 The religion of Christ removes from our minds all fear. We are living in times of great blind, brute force but 1 after all these forces are but Gods 1 servants. Nothing can happen to man that God cannot turn to his ulti- mate triumph and good.
 Periodically, the religion of Jesus promotes dissatisfaction. Many re- igions give a narcotic satisfaction, 1ulling effort, and producing only a with things as they are Jesus gives us a noble dissatisfac- ton, an instinct and desire to climb | We are anxious to hurry on toward -he light, toward something higher md better. The need to be calm, but 70 make ourselves and tie world bet ter.
 One other thing this religion gives The crying desire of men $ for power. We bend every effort l -oward that end and spend years in raining our youth to develop their highest powers in every line.
 And what IS the greatest power in he world? The power of personality, ! he ability to bend thin:ss to our will, l bringing with it a poise, joy, passion md devotion ro the big things of life I
 At the beginning of Christ's church there streamed forth this pow sr. We today live on too small a IL plane. We do not sound the depths ! If life. Life is irresistible. Give it :, ! start and 1t gorows. The life of ! Jesus is the same. If started in our hearts it will grow. So the man who would have spiritual power must bend . lis efforts toward developing that life
 We don't spend time, nowadays on hings not worth while. So we must | lave all our rowers at their highest to be able to go out in the world to do, the work of the Master : 10 LICENSE SPEAKER t
 I