Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-03-23

Tor tic JobRNAL
The last of series of surprises to
Rev. F. J. GRAY, late Pastor of the
NJ. E. Church, of Frostburg, and his
wife, took place at the residence of
Mr.. RICHARD BEALL, on Monday
evening, 18th inst, in the presentation
of a beautiful Silver-Plated Butter
Dish with Revolving Lid, in behalf of
Mrs. BEALL's Sabbath-School Glass, by
Miss HELEN BERKEBILE in neat and
appropriate speech.
Never before has the separation of
pastor and people in this congregation
been attended by the same stirring
events For years past the relations
existing between the two have been
most pleasant, except at p0rt,1g when
the usual regrets We're felt. But the
great, indeed, almost fabulous success,
which has attended the two years pas
torate of Mr.. GRAY in Frostburg,
would tax the credulity of the most
credulous. While he modestly deals
the honors to his brethren, it is we'll
known fact that the magnificent struc-
ture in which that congregation meets
in solemn worship Of the Great I Am"
is due to his massive faith and to an
industry which knows neither night,
nor rest nor sleep. Ceaseless vigilance,
incessant prayer, faith without inter
ruption and tireless activity, on his
part, are the foundation, key and top
stone of the structure, leaving debt
unprovided for of only one-e eighth its
cost. Nor does it end there in addi-
ton to the seeming browning glory Of
the whole, viz: the conversion Of one
hundred and ten souls, the system of
educating the people to the necessity
of blending religion with their daily
pursuits, and making their business
part Of it, it being thing, not only
felt and expressed, but seen of all men.
That it consists of faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ, and rigid, undertaking
adherence to duty; that seek first the
kingdom of God &C., is to be applied
to business, to every occupation of life
that the interests of that kingdom are
first, under all circumstances, and that
the promise contained in the passage,
viz "all these things shall be added
is the infallible result. All of the two
years preaching has tended to make
religion more practical and practicable,
to shred it of its mysteries, and to
make the way so plain that way
faring man, though fool, need not
err to walk therein In the pulpit
we do not think he makes any eff
fort at eloquence or oratory. Wheth-
er he has acquired, or is by nature a
rhetorician, we do not know but near
ly all his sermons are, in this respect,
faultless. If he had studied at the
feet Of a MCCAULAY, or an EVERETT,
his language could not have been bet
ter finished and, for simplicity, it pos
sesses all that makes BUNYAN attract
i've. We think his forte is analytical
The most expert surgeon cannot dis
sect the physical with greater precision
than he the metaphysical. His ser
mons, invariably without a formal ap-
plication, embodies it in the truth
announced in every SENTENCE
; All who heard him from the text, "Be
We holy for am holy cannot forget
how practically he rendered it, as not
, only possible, but how easy life can be
patterned after that of the perfect
Master, by reliance upon Him, and by
taking up to-days duties without
thought for tomorrow.
For us to attempt more than to give
= his manner of dealing with his subject,
t would be to do him injustice, for we
are not able Frequently, in his
straightforward, undisguised manner
1 of doing things, his best friends thought
, him hasty, and charged him with want
| of reflection and with immature action
His invariable response was-"1 have
/, prayed over it, and in no instance