The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-11-18

CONTRADICTORY services
were held for the first time In the new
church erected by the S. Matthew's
congregation, on the corner of Fourth
and John streets. The building is not
finished, but had been made quite COM
Portable by temporary expedients. y
lmrge and interested audience was In
attendance-so large that many had 10
stand during the entire services, and so
interested that all remained until the
final beuediction was pronounced.
The exercises were opened in the form
prescribed by that denomination OF
Christians, in these the Revs. James
NcNIprchen, and MIR. Woods partici-
pated. bishop Johns, of the Diocese oil
Virginia. then preached, taking ns
text the latter clause OF the 39th
mans. The sermon of the Bishop
was remarkable for clearness and pow
er-plain and practical in its teachings--
Astounding in great beauty of express
sion-delivered as IL fell by the speaker,
and producing fine effect upon the
large auditory. Immediately after the
sermon, seven candidates Tor the rite OF
confirmation presented themselves ut
the chuncel. They were admitted 10 the
enjoyment of Christian privileges ac-
cUrdiug TO the beautiful and impressive
ritual OF the church, after which the
Bishop addressed the candidates for Il
few moments on the sOlemnity OF the
vows they had taken upon them
selves, and advising Them us 10 their
conduct i'll the future. Coming as the
instructions and admonitIOns did, from
one who has grown grey in the service
oTthe church, and of his Master, gave
especial force to his utterances, ana
Will, doubtless, make lasting impress
sion on the minds of those TO whom
they were addressed.
The music at S. Matthews yesterday
was especially fine. Although their large
organ has not yet been placed in the
church, II very good substitute WAS
found in one of the smaller
class of instruments so popular
throughout the country. 1t was
presided over by Mr.. Sheib,
who demonstrated his complete maste.
~ overit. The singing of the choir
was excellent, ana showed the result
to be attained by careful and patient
practice.
In the evening Bishop Johns visited
S. Johns congregation i'll the U. 3.
Court Room, Custom House building,
where he confirmed fifteen candidates
for the Apostolic Rite, and also preach
ed Il most earnest and deeply Impress
sive sermon from the text Holding
fast the profession OF our faith without
wavering," to Il large congregation Of
attentive and interested hearers.
Bishop Johns is favorably reported
throughout this country, by those who
have had the benefit of hearing hin, as
one of the truest living models the
church possesses OF how aGOspel preach-
or must speak, who would, out OF Il JWLL
heart, touch the heart OF his hearers,
work upon their conscience, lead them
to their Saviour, aud thus icim souls.
In regard to the rite Itself which
many amongst us had the privilege of
witnessing, yesterday, in PNch of these
churches, we are informed that from
the ca rliest ages of the christian church,
and i'll every part of it, all the world
over, until modern times, the rite OF con,
tirmatiOn has been considered essential
TO tue full perfection of christian life in
those who have attained to years when
they can discern fully between right
and wrong. Nor have any christians
been ordinarily permitted by the
church to partake OF the Holy Commu-
Mon until after they have been con-
firmed.
The rite appears to have been adj
ministered at first by an Apostle or
Bishop laying his hands on the head of
the baptized person. The Apostles
IS. Peter and John, went down to
Sumarin to lay their hands on
those who had been baptised by the
Deacon, Philip Acts S:l4-lT); and they
received the Holy Ghost some new
and special gift being bestowed upon
them by the Holy Ghost, through that
outward sign. In the same manner S.
Paul laid his hands on the EPhesian
disciples offs. John the Baptist, as soon
as they had been baptized in the Name
OF the Lord Jesus" (Acts 10: 6.) In the
latter case, and probably also in the
former, the gift bestowed was accom-
panied by other gifts OF miraculous
powers; but these were clearly IL special
addition 10 the ordinary gift, and thus
it WAS for the confirmation of previous
baptism that the Apostles administer
ed the rite by the imposition OF their
hands. The anxious care of S.
Paul for the administration of it
to the Ephesians. appears also to have
parallel i'll that which he expressed
10 the Roman Christians when he
wrote them, 81 long to see you, that l
mny impArt TO you some spiritual gift,
to the end we may be established"
The rite, so administered, has sever
al names given to il in the New Tesla
ment. The most obvious is that de-
rived from the particular ceremony
which was used in administering It, as
when in the epistle 10 the Hebrews,
'the doctrine OF baptisms and of laying
on of hnuds" Heb. 6: - is spoken OF.
The fnmilinr name by which the rite is
known in the Western Church, appears
first in the writings of S. Ambrose
I'VE have received the spiritual seal
hath signed you, Christ onr Lord
hath confirmed you, and, as ye are
taught by the Apostolic lection, hath
given you the pledge of the Spirit in
your hearts. Also S. Cyprian, when
expOunding the passage in the Acts re-
speeding the confirmation of the Sa-
mnrituns by s S. Peter and John, says,
(which now also is done among us,
those baptized in the Church being
brought to the Bishops of the Church,
and by our prayer, and laying on OF
hands, they receive the Holy Ghost,
and are perfected with the seal of the
Lord" Again, in later days, in the
English Church, the "Venerable" Bede
narrHtes of S. Cuthbert, "a. d. BS6, } that
he used to go round his diocese bounti-
fully distributing counsels of saliva
ton, "as well as laying his hands on
the newly baptized, that they might re.
ceivc tho grace of the Holy Ghost"
j. N.-Our readers will remember
that this renowned philosopher, poet
and pedestrian, was announced TO
speak in the Court House last Friday
night, but from some cause he failed TO
meet his engagement. He called on us
Saturday morning and gave sufiSfactO-