The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume], December 23, 1884, WEEKLY EDITION, Page 4, Image 4

About The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888

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THE PACIFIC COmiEECIAL ADVERTISER, DECEMBER 23, 1884.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PORTLAND,
0., HOARD OF TRADE. ,j
By the last mail from the Coast we
received the tenth armuul report of
the Board of Trade ol Portland, O. for
the commercial year ending July 31,
1SSL
The Keport, which includes the
Constitution and By-Laws of the
Board, makes a very neatly arranged
volume of 12C pages, Svo., printed in
clear type on smooth, nice paper, and
is filled with a large amount of mat
ter interesting to all who study the
progress of civilization and commerce
on the Pacific Coast.
The report opens with an address
by the President of the Board, Donald
Macleay, Esq., in which he briefly
reviews the commercial events of the
year commencing with the dark side
of the picture, showing that the cessa
tion of the expenditures on the part
of the railway companies, consequent
on the completion of direct trans-continental
communication; the shrink
age of railway securities; the injudi
cious chartering of grain ships early
in the season at rates that more than
swallowed up the profits on the grain;
and, to cap the climax, the over-production
of salmon which over-glutted
the market and extinguished profits;
all these brought about almost a
panic. That it was averted is shown
by the fact that but one wholesale
house went under, and that for no
very large amount.
The bright side of the picture is also
shown. Business houses have gone
through the year with credit unim
paired. The abundant crops will goa
long way towards making up former
losses, and to quote words which our
business men ma" well ponder over,
"perhaps the greatest good has been
accomplished in the progress that has
been made in the remodeling of our
system of extending credits. The
days of long credits are over, goods
are now sold on short time, and
prompt settlements are insisted
upon." The growth of Portland and
and its suburbs has been steady, and
a large amount of capital has been
invested.
F. K. Arnold, Esq., the Secretary,
submits a lengthy and interesting re
port, containing a great deal of in
formation. The "pack" of 8G canneries for 1SS3
4 is given, showing the total number
of cases to be 621,750. This great in
dustry began In 1866 with a total pack
of 4000 cases at 016 per case, and fish
at 15 cents. Now the market price
per case is $4.0 and 65 cents is paid
per fish.
The tables of imports are divided
into "Domestic" and "Foreign."
Under the latter head we note that
the total amount of sugar imported
presumably from here is set down
at 130 sacks. Of rice there was im
ported 145,792 mats, which may have
been sent from these islands, but in
the absence of any table showing
from what foreign ports the Imports
were received, we cannot speak posi
tively. No vessels flying the Hawaiian flag
are reported at the port, showing that
the trade between the Islands and
Portland is carried in, what are to us,
foreign bottoms.
Among the exports for the year we
notice the items of 2,5SS,750 centals of
wheat, 8,359,700 lbs. of wool, 21,950
yVs of dumber, and 2,672,405 lbs.: of
hides and skins, which indicate that
Portland is the entrepot for the pro
ductions of a vast agricultural and
grazing country, opened up by the
trans-continental railway.
The report also embraces the rates
of commissions and brokerage to be
charged where no express agreement
to the contrary exists; a meteorolog
ical record for the year, and a list of
members.
THE INCARNATE MYSTERY.
Text: "Great is the mystery of odli
ncsf. God was manifest in the flesh."
2 Tim. 3:1C. -
The following is the sermon delivered by
Her. E. C. Oggel at thn Ecthel Union
Church Sunday morning, Dec. 21, 1SS1:
"What do we understand by a mystery?
It has been defined as "that which is be
jond human comprehension, until it is ex
plained.' '
Tho word is one of frequent occurrence in
tho New Testament, and we tind it aj.plied
to truths that are essential parrs of the
Christian syjleta end -of vital importance to
the attainment of tho Teatest ;jood and
highest happiness.
The term "mystery," as c-ruployed in the
New Testament, invariably expresses some
thing which is within the compass of our
intellect to comprehend, and i-omethiug
which transcends our comprehension; some
thing that is known and something that is
unknown. One part of it we understand:
the other, which properly peaking, consti
tutes the mystery, ries above the under
standing; vet, at the same time, it is seen
as a part of and connected with the portion
that is known. And it is the part of it that
we understand, which enables us to per
ceive that there are higher truths con
nected with it, to which our linite faculties
cannot rise, and to the investigation of
which, even in their mwst exalted state,
they are unequal.
This reasoning may be made somewhat
clearer by the use of an illustration. The
doctrine of the trinity is an example of a
mystery. What we know of it from Scrip
ture is simple and intelligible. There are in
the Godhead three persons: The Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit, who perform
their respective ofiiccs in the work of man's
salvation.
This part of the truth we can understand.
But if we do not rest satisfied with this
measure of knowledge, and we attempt to
solve the problem how a trinity of persons
can subsist in a unity of essence; how the
Father can be God, the Son God and the
Holy Spirit, God, and yet how they are not
three Gods, but one God, we undertake that
for which the mind is not equal, Keeking to
grasp with the limited power of our reason
the unsearchable wisdom and knowledge of
the infinite God.
All the works of God, in creation and in
providence, are full of mysteries. There is
not any one substance of which we know all
the properties, or any one event for which
can ns.sign all the reasons. Thus, with a
uniformity or consistency that character
izes all the doings of God, there are also
mysteries in religion. Indeed, if there
weie nothing in religion, which transcends
the grasp of the human mind, it would at
once afford a strong presumption, that its
origin is of the earth, instead of what we
claim it to be, heavenly and divine.
Hence the writers of the New Testament
throughout represent Christianity as coming
from above. Never could it have been pos
sible for the. circumscribed intellect of man
to conceive it. Tho Gospel of Salvation is
declared to be "the wisdom of God in a
mj-stery;" "a mystery which hath been hid
for ages;" "the revelation of the mystery,
now made known to all nations;" a "great"
and a "gloriously rich" mystery. t Many of
the cardinal doctrines of religion are spoken
of as "mysteries." Thus the union between
Christ and His Church is said to be 'a great
mystery." So is tho final resurrection of
the dead. "Behold, I show you a myst6ry.
We shall not all sleep, but wo shall all be
changed. For this corruption must put on
incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality.
So is the doctrine of the incarnation of
Christ, with which these truths are insepa
rably connected and one of those on which
they are founded, declared in the text to be
a great mystery.
"Great is the mystery of godliness: God
was manifest in the flesh."
To this theme the return of Christmas in
vites our attention.
One of the prophets of old announced
concerning Christ, "His name shall be
called Wonderful."
And so, indeed, was tho birth. When the
child was yet unborn, the angel said, "This
child shall be o son." Think of that!
And again while the child is unborn, there
is an open declaration, that the coming
child shall be a Savior. Of other children
we know not whether they will live or grow
up, and we can tell nothing as to what their
future will be, but in this case it is an
nounced that he will live, and live to save.
Every part and detail of every prophecy
that relates to this child becomes fact and
history.
And who is the child that is conceived of
the Holy . Ghost and born of the Virgin
Mary?
Let the Gospel answer the question.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God."
These words unquestionably refer to the
Son of God, whose divinity is here declared.
The evangelist then continues: "And the
Word, which was God, was made flesh."
This is tho great mystery.
The manifestation of God in nature is a
condescension on the part of God.
Also, that tho eternal, self-existent, inde
pendent God should be willing to be known
of his creatures. Bnt God in human mani
festation, God incarnate, is the essence of
love on the part of Go3.
Creation displays the wisdom and power of
God but the moral perfections of God, His
love and mercy. shiu forth only nd glori
ously in Christ Jesus. And we behold more of
God in Christ than elsewhere in all the uni
verse. Jeus, during his public ministry on
earth, called himself "the Son of Man,"
thereby to express the fact of His real hu
manity. It deserves attention how Holy Scripture
makes prominent and aims to impress the
fact, that Christ was truly a man; that He
partook of our human nature, of our flesh
and blood.
Thus we read. "There is one God and one
mediator betv,ltjt God and men. the man
Christ Jesus.'
In another place, "When the fulness of
the time was come, God sent forth His sou,
made of a woman.
" God sent His Son in the likeness of siu
ful flesh."
" For as much then as the children are
partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself
likewise took part of the same."
In rhilippians it is said : "Christ Jesus,
who being in the form of God, thought it
not robbery to be eepnal with God, was made
in the likeness of men, and was found in
fashion as a man."
And again, in Hebrews : "Wherefore in all
things it behooved him to be made like unto
his brethren."
John declares in his first e-pis tie, that faith
in the incarnation of Christ and in his real
humanity characterizes us as having the
spirit of God. N
He says : " Hereby know ye the spirit of
God. Every spirit that confesseth that
Jesus Christ is come in tho flesh is of God.
And every spirit that confesseth not. that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of
God."
And in his second epistle he says : "For
many deceivers are entered into the world,
who confess not that Jesus Christ is come
in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an anti
Christ." We see then, my friends, that Scripture
emphasizes the fact of Christ's incarnation,
and its importance. And the question may
bo asked : Why is it that so much stress is
laid on Christ's being truly a man? "We
answer, first: Because it was' evident to
every observing mind that Jesus was some
thing else than a mere man.
His conversation, his conduct, his works
of mercy, and his miracles, impressed those
who came in contact with him that they
were in the presence of One who must bo
more than man who must be from heaven,
and divine.
Had it not been for this the sacred writers
would not have taken the pains to give such
prominence to the fact of our Lord's real
humanity.
For had he been nothing more than a
man, where would have been the necessity
for the Lord himself, and for those who
espoused His cause, to prove that he really
was a man ? .
Surely the Scriptures do not undertake to
prove this in behalf of others. No assurances
are given that Moses, David, Isaiah, John
the Baptist, and Paul were men, having a
true human nature. None doubting the
fact, there was no necessity to seek to con
vince anyone of it. Why, then, does this
take plsce in the case of Our Lord Jesus
Christ ?
Because there was at times such a visible
manifestation of a superior nature, and such
overpowering indications of the divine and
heavenly that the question would involun
tarily come to the lips. ..
Is not this One more than human ?
We therefore claim that it was the indis
putable truth of the divinity of Christ, evi
dencing itself in hi3 words and acts, which
rendered it necessary to make plain and im
press the other truth that of his actual
humanity.
Another reason why so much stress is laid
on Christ's having a real human nature is :
That only in becoming a man could the Son
ot God bo man's Savior.
I trust you have a clear conception of the
necessity of the atonement of Christ for our
salvation.
Without his obedience, and especially
without his blessed work on Calvary, there
would have been for us no heaven, and no
hope.
But the garden and the cross must bo
preceded by the manger.
There cannot bo the crucifixion and the
reconciliation unless there be first the incar
nation.
If he shall suffer in the sinner's place, and
bear our sins in his own body on the tree,
he must have that hody, and to this end
assume our nature.
And this is what the Son of God did.
He, the almighty creator of all things,
before whom sun and planets are but as a
drop to the bucket, and a small dust to the
balance, looked upon us mortals and came
to dwell with us and to be one with us, of
our own flesh and blood, that he might save
and exalt us.
The sinless and blessed intelligences
of Lis own heaven, with whom he might
have formed an alliance, he passedby and
for the fallen ones from their ranks no pro
visions of mercy were made.
; For verily he took not on him the nature
of angels ; but he took on him the seed of
Abraham."
He came forth from the Father, with
whom he personally pre-existed, and was
born a child of the Virgin Mary, that he
roijrht become our redeemer, save us from
our sins,
the skies.
and fit us for the inheritance of
The Son of God In mi?hty Iovp,
Came down to liethiehem for me;
Forsook his throne of light above
An infant upon earth to be.
j I love the whole dark path he mnl,
J To consecrate a way for me :
j Kaeh bitter footstep xuarketl with blood,
From Bethlehem to Calvary.
j Tis finished all ; Uw veil Is rent,
The welcome sure, the access free :
Now then we leave our banishment.
O Father, to return to thee!
A few inferences, and I have done.
1. The subject we have been considering
is one in which grandeur and wisdom are
combined. It is worthy of God, and adapted
to man's needs. God was manifest in the
flesh. One so distant, and now so near I
The babe in the manger is one with him,
whose throne is fixed in heaven. The weep
ing infant of Bethlehem is one with Him
whose voice is the t thunder, and whose arm
is omnipotence. The child whose birth we
commemorate is one with him who never
had a beginning. The infant that has not
yet a thought is one with him whose under
standing is infinite. O the depth of the
riches of the greatness and knowledge of
God I Immanuel, God with us.
2. How intensely God is interested in
man's salvation.
In our low estate he devised this won
drous interposition in our behalf. Of us the
picture drawn is : " The whole head is sick,
and the whole heart is faint. From the
crown of the head to the soles of the feet
there is no soundness." And when our
crown of glory had fallen, and our robe
of innocence was rent Jesu3 came, in whom
humanity appears more bright and lovely
than it did in paradise. Hear in what lan
guage of rapturous admiration the Church
describes the various excellencies of the
Savior :
"My beloved is the chief among ten thous
and, nis head is as the most fine gold. His
eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of
waters. His lips are like lilies, dropping
sweet-smelling m3'rrh. His hands are as
gold rings set with the beryl. His counte
nance is like Lebanon, excellent as the
cedars. Yea, he is altogether lovely."
This is God's royal gift for man's en
thronement and for the healing of the na
tions. 3. Let us receive this Savior to-day.
Let every heart prepare him room.
Said the angel: "Behold, I bring you
good tidings of great joy, which 6hall be to
all people. For unto you is born this day,
in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ
the Lord""
My friends, there is salvation in none else.
It only remains to say:
"WThile Jews on their own law rely,
And Greeks of wisdom boast,
I love th' incarnato Mystery,
And there I fix my trust."
This is joy and peace. It is victory and
life eternal. As I look into your faces this
morning my heart's desire and prayer is,
that souls may be given me as the seals of
my ministry, and that you and your chil
dren may enroll yourselves as followers of
tho Father and of Jesus, nis son. "For
what is our hope, or joy, or crown of re
joicing? Are not even ye in the presence of
our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For
ye are our glory and joy."
i, The gift of the Savior, whose birth we
celebrate, will forever form tho theme of
thanksgiving in the hallelujahs of the here
after. As we think of what this Savior has done
for us; how he has regained for us a better
paradise than Eden; how he represents our
humanity on the throne and is preparing
mansions for us, we joyfully anticipate tha
time when we shall see him as he is.
now" precious are family gatherings on
earth, when often three generations meet
together, amid mutual love and enjoyment.
Yet we gather but to be dispersed. It is a
dissolving view. And even this we do not
always have. We are scattered, doing God's
will and work, in different lands, while
many of our friends have been taken to
sing in heaven. But there will be a gather
ing of friends and loved ones in the home
above, all jneeting never to part again.
Let us look forward. O. how bright and
beautiful the vision!
I see the darkness of heathenism scattered.
Every land is illumined. Truth and right
eousness are everywhere triumphant. Every
valley is exalted and every hill made low.
The waste and solitary j)Iaco is glad and the
desert rejoices and blossoms as the rose.
The ensign of Jesus is lifted up on the
mountains. The child of Bethlehem is
'King of kings and Lord of lords.' The
Princes of the earth acknowledge Him.
The nations bow to His scepter. The'
islands of the sen, welcome Him. Tho whole
earth is a temple of song, and the anthem
ot praise is, 'Hallelujah, for the Lord God
omnipotent reigneth."
Jesus forever.
In this grand consummation of tho ages
may you and I have a part.
O, Father
"We thank Thee for the crown of glory and
of life;
'Tis no poor withering wreath of earth,
Man's prize in mortal strife,
'Tis incorruptible a3 is the throne,
The Kingdom of our God and His incar
nat3 Son."
War Between Franeo ana China.
London Punch.
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After a deal of skirmishing and sparring,
The cocks at last are actually warring,
Spurs pointed. Feathers up.
A pity that their coct-a-doodle-dooing
Should be significant of mischief brewing
In commerce and in cup!
The Usnal Pall Proceeding.
Somerville Journal.
When the summer is departing and tfcft
year is growing old, when the forests are
assuming richer hues of red and gold, wh4
a colder, deeper azure tints the cloudless,
noonday skies, end the sunsets give us
glimpses of the walls of paradise; when th&
song-birds have departed to a region less
austere, and their melody, mellifluous, greet i
no more the longing ear; when the wildf
goose flying southward of approaching
winter warns, and the earth' ripe fruitage
garnered, safely lies In sheltering barns:
when the nights are growing chilly ana
more welcome is tho sun it is then tho
thrifty coalman adds a dollar to the ton.
Opening of the Hunting Season
life,
ONE.
two!
top.ee! I
Spindle City Style.
Lowell Citizen.
Every fashionable- girl now wears a small
lobster on her breast. It is, perhaps, tho
better way to wear a lobster, though we
have occasionally worn them in our f.tomach
j with more or h ss satisfac tion to ourselves;
but, then, wo wouldn't recommend a dear,
sweet, fashionable girl to follow our vulgar
style, not for the world!
How to Learn When Hubby Comes
Home.
Philadelphia Call.
I am determined to learn at what
hat hour my
t, do what J
husband comes home nights, yet
will, 1 cannot keeii awake, and he i3 always'
careful not to make a particle of noise,
there any drug which produces wakeful'
ness? Wife. No need to buy drusf
Sprinkle the floor with tacks.
TIIEY COMB!
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