The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-11-01
LOCAL DEPARTMENT.
Csa-es sevv,ee. Yesterday.

church another OF those lntsIcsb.s
inauuurated by the pastor, kev. III T.n w, y
TOOK place In the morning. THIS singing by
tbe sabbath school, under the lead OF D. II.
n. White, ESQ.,, was admirably rendered.
There were also interesting recltations by
seyeral Of the scholars, after which the Ger.
mon was preached, the pastor select ng as
his subject "The Children In the Temple,
based upon the 18th and 10th verses ID the
2lst chapter OF Matthew. The exposition
was easy Of apprehension, and intersperseu
with questions to the children, showing
ready Intelligence and abiding Interest on
their part In these special services. The
adult portion OF the congregation, apprecia-
bly Increased by the announcement OF these
monthly meetings, gave unnagging atten-
tiou. The ordinance Of baptism was admin
tered prior to the sermon.
Al night another earnest practical sermon
was preached by the pastor from the solemn
words, prepare to meet thy God"
This old and long-struggling church, after
q series Of crushing difficulties aud disconr-
agemeuts, Is slowly but surely recovering
lost ground, and taking Its stand among
other denominations OF our city.
FOURTH PREsBrTERTAS CHURCH.
At the morning service the pulpit was &C.
cupIed by the pastor, Rev. John G. Smith,
ID. D., who preached from Philippians. Ill, 10:
"That may know Him and the power of
His resurrection and the fellowship OF His
sufierings, being made conformable unto
His death"
The preacher commenced as follows: Do
you know hint Yes, by sight; to speak,
slightly; as business man, politically, pro-
fessionally, socially. In these common
statements Of every day life we have illus
trations Of much that Is called knowledge In
the world and In the bible; knowledge to
hate, to love, honor, serve, even unto death.
Saul OF Tarsus had knowledge OF Jesus OF
Nazareth, but II filled him with wrath, and
he became the foremost prosecutor, even
unto death, Of men aud women who loved
Christ Jesus. Many Of us have knowledge
Of Christ, but not to speak to him, or OF him
In his relations TO us or the wonderful thing
which he spoke and did that we might hav,
eternal life. We desire not any knowledge
Of him In the work OF redemption which h
wrought for us. This knowledge has beer
taught Us In childhood and youth. Alas
said the speaker, that so many parents arr
satisfied with this memorizlng, while The
young feel no responsibility to practice TIT
He that knoweth his masters will and
doeth 1t not shall be beaten with many
stripes. The text 10 the statement of Paul,
who had been an apostle OF Christ for years,
and had knowledge OF him, and preached
Christ, the way, the truth, and the life. How
Is 1t then that In this epistle he Is so anxious
and expressive on these points, and as II he
had no knowledge. He, indeed, had know
ledge, spiritual and energetic, In his high
calling. The Apostle had the strong desire
for a great decided growth in grace and In
the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ
Grace aud knowledge have this eternal
principle In their growth. Every true hearted
believer In Christ Jesus can appreciate thi;
desire Of the apostle for more perfect know
t.l. -. 4. -. L a. 4,
We have the lessons he taught; the record
OF his acts, above all the spirit OF holiness
purifying and sanctifying us. No newe
truth 10 revealed, but cur knowledge become
more distinct, and We may have higher AZ
probation OF the truth. The points necessar
to salvation are few.
There is no mystery In this, said tn
speaker. We know A B, and have for years
We know him better aud better and love hin
more and more, but there are certain trait
Of character he has In which we have felt NJ
interest. Events affecting US transpire, AM
these traits stand out In bold relief. We dit
not know that friend nor the depth Of hi
affection for US. Darkness shows US world
oflight we never saw by day. A believer i
Christ perceives In him every day more an
more to interest his heart and hold his affet
tions. Now he Is unwilling to be at a di
tance from Christ, but must very near hin
end like him not only In all that he said bt
all that he did. Had not Paul known Chri
Jesus before ! Yes. Had he not Lahore
and suffered for him Yes. Did he doul
his own knowledge Of Christ or become NJ
may have known truth hitherto and yet no
had such an appreciation Of n as now. Her
1t is full Of light, love, JOY in the Holy Ghost
Saul, of Tarsus, had waged war sgains
Christ. The light fell on him.
"Why persecutest thou me-" This wal
the beginning. Paul says, 81 could wist
myself accursed for my brethren" But
this fell far short OF the love Of Christ. lie
wept 10 Jerusalem. Paul wanted to expe-
Renee this feeling and all that deep tender
ness for lost souls. Are we In this spirit !
May we not know Christi Yes; the Holy
Spirit showeth these things to us.
ID. The power of his resurrection. His
death will be shown forth this afternoon In
our communion service. This Sabbath is
commemoratlon day, and should be set apart
conscientiously for this service. But this
day Is troddeu under foot, aud communicates
even regard II not. Hence the weakness Of
the Church, and Its desolation. We dare
not tribe with this day OF prayer, sanctidet
thus "Remember the Sabbath day, to keel
1t holy" II Paul desired this, how mucl
more should we.
Sd. The fellowship of his sufreriugs
These were In the place Of the transgressori
VI tno hWs io uiou, tue just iOi tuc uuJust
that he might bring us to God. Because h
was the Son Of God aud had come into tn
world In the covenant, he laid down his life
Christ was q MARTYR to the truth, and d
such we may have fellowship with hin
Paul had some experience In these thing
suffcrings. He desires to have the ye
spirit OF Christ In his sutferings, that
might have more fitness and die even
Christ did.
Ith. Conformable unto his death.
We know the particulars Of the trial, al
tho death Of Christ, and such as this Pa
sought. He had felt the fellowship OF h
sufferings, then his death as martyr. co
formAble, I. .. after the manner OF Jes
Christ, who was with wicked hands TAX
and slain. Paul sought this, also, that II
his master he might thus seal his testimon
He was anxious TO die as Christ died, tn
conformed In ilfe, In knowledge, In pow
In fellowship, he would also be In his resi-
rectiou.
9th. II by any means I might attain uu
the resurrection of the dead. Among t
was considered a privilege, and In that W
o large blessing. In the resurrection won
be special honor and glory In nearness al
likeness to Christ. This Is the true spir
and multitudes have lived and died In
Apostles, witnesses many, and when 4
members OF the church now have PauI
spirit II will take this form. The dead
Christ shall rise first. To the resurrecti,
Paul anxlously desired to attain, and
attained It. The reverend speaker eloquent
added, oh where shall we stand In that gre
day. A few more seasons and We shall
at rest with them. Then, oh my Lord; wa
me In thy blood aud take my sins away.
In the afternoon the communion was n
mlnistered TO q largo body of church mel
bors'
FRIENDS MEETING.
The society which worshlps in stree
between Eighteenth and Nineteenth stree
yesterday morning listened to a sensible a
sloqueus discourse, by Mrs. Rachel Tow
send, of Philadelphia, on the subject OF DiVi
Inspiration. The speaker said all sincere
and truly good aud generous thoughts a.
actions were Inspired by the Almighty q
great discoveries In science, and hne produ
lions of art, were inspired by our Gre
Father; oil true and noble enterprises oril
nate from inspiration from the same sourc
But all selfish aud unworthy deeds au
thoughts are not inspiration, but 10 cit
meuts By evil sources; sec arlanism Is u
In.nIraIinn hul sal nahnpsa and IQnOble.