Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-11-24
Rev. rroG. allan CUR.

SERMON AT THE WEST oHuRGH-DEMAND FOR
MORE ANIMATED RELIGION
West Presbyterian Church, yesterday, con-
tanned large and interested congregation to
hear a sermon from Rev Professor Allan Ourr,
the eloquent Scottish divine, who is now on
visit to this country. The Rev gentleman read
the Dist chapter of Matthew:for an Introductory
lesson, and interspersed the reading of it by
soma protracted comments explanatory OF
Christs visit to Jerusalem amidst fine HOsannas
Jf the multitude
He thought the money changers that Christ
drove out OF the temple, were no worse than
many OF those who visited the temple of God at
he present day. Then, they bought aud sold
aud exchanged money now, people 20 TO the
emple for The sake OF popularity or political
prefermeut, thereby maklJg merchandise Of re-
igion to serve selfish purposes.
The excitement attendant upon the entry Of
Christ into Jerusalem, riding Hpon an ass is akin
tothe excitement attendant upon popular gather
ings OF the present day, aud The same multitude
who then cried "HosRnna to the son OF David" "
three days afterwards joined in the cry Of
cfueify him. cruelty him"
He had no particular objection to excitement
llthough he thought that his Wesleyan friends
we're a little on tue extreme but rather than the
leadnesR and quiet which has crept into the
church, give us roise, excitement screaming, any
thing that will break the dull, lifeess. formal
worship which has crept into the church
Christ came to the barren ig tree and found
no fruit thereon. He destroyed IT, not that lit had
10 irHit Od when he came to it, but because it
Was barren. He was afraid many church mem
were like the same ig tree.
After the Introductory services Of the morn
ing, the Rnv. ge1tleman chose the 10th verse of
he chapter read as the basis OF his sermon as
tollows And when he was come into Jerusa-
jm the whoe city was moved, SAYING who is
this 2"
The geographical location OF Jerusalem. sur
rounded by moIutains on every side, was de-
5crlbed, aud from the top OF one OF the hills
overlooking the Holy City the Saviour could be
| seen descending the winding road to the vale be-
low, while mutltudes lined the read aud strewed
his path with their garments aud palm leaves,
In this vast thrOnS the children mingled, and
Justify sang praises as those of older years while
then as now, objections were made to children
lniugllng in tho public worship The whole pop
uatlo1 of of Jerusalem catches the excitement,
and with wonder and astonishment depicted in
evecy cOunenance the inquiry Of "Who is this ~
rings throughout the city.
The perUratOn of Mr. Currs sermon was elo-
quent ard impressive az with impassioned feel
Idgz he depicted the sufferlngs which the bless.
Cd Savior, only three days afterwards, under
went for world of sinners.
PROF cURR's SATURDAY NIGHT LEorURE-FUTURE
EEGAdEMENTs.
The lecture by Prof. Curr on Saturday eve
ming on Stories, Story Tellers, and Story Telling
Z.
The lecturer with the grace and skill OF ma
gleian. transformed the place into his drawing
room and the deuce into his guests.
He gave at the outsaS clear analysis Of his
'ubj ct classifying stories by naiiOnalities. aud
lpUu the warp thus lad began TO weave pictures
| Of fancy stories grave and gay one into anoth-
| er. these in,o third ard ali in one, grouping
them, shading them, until his two hours work
appeared to the mind as line embroidery full of
fanciful devices.
Altogether, Prof. Curr's lectures have been
| superior, He deals in no platitudes nor trui4ms
| Full of vitality and freshness, true poet aud
| lover of poetry, gems OF which are at his COM
manl, OF extensive and varied informa alton, with
| great dramatic power, and line mayin alton. he
Iiyets attention, pleasss, thrills, and sways the
hearts OF ulen as Master of Assemblies. "
The one defect in his oratory, which al times ex-
| cites the sympathy Of his audience, is hoarse-
ness; which is ratures warning to him against
overwork.
After elk lectures during last week, he gave
| three admirable addresses in our pupits yester
| day. He returns to Baltimore engagements to-
day and thence on southern aud western tour