National Republican., 1873-06-02
REI.ItiIOus.
Church Services Yestcrday-scrmeu at the
yirainia-ayenue Baptist Charch-seme
Interesting "Reminiscences ef tho Cessrc-
1ntion.

Church Services Ncstcrday-sermeu nt the
yirainia-ayenue Baptist Church-seme
Interesting "Reminiscences ef the Censrc-
Cation.
Tue churches Of the Navy Yard, Of all denoml-
nations, owing TO their somewhat isolated posi-
tlon, but seldom come under the notice OF the
local press. Hut piOus hearts and willing hAnds
are as busy there as IN the heart Of ne capital
interest at the VlrHinia-avenuec church, corner Of
Fourth street and Virginia avenuc. quite a re-
yiya has been in P,ossess for some 2, time and ne
Inc sacred name yesterday. The pastor, Rev. Mr..
lngersoll, preached at II O'Clock, and chose as
the pasi. q b., tsnsis. Pssls al 5y'sS , 9%s
what he hath done for my soul" .r.
lie began his remarks by referring 10 the fact
that We mad Just passed through the ceremony
Of decorating the graves Of those who fell lr the
defence Of thsn country, In which grateful
people eyinced their sense OF gratitude for their
services and sunernga; lie said the transition
from what man has done for man TO what God
has done for hun would be his theme for the
morning. lie then referred TO the history OF
David, the author OF the text. lie had ex-
vel he did moi say, "Come ami hear what
l have done, but what God had done for his
soul. Men are too willing 10 tell what little
the mercies OF tod. David did not tell those
who did not fear Ood 20 come. What hath God
done for the human soulf Before the world was,
before u single star had studded the nrmament,
foreseeinR his fall, he had prepared for man a
redeemer and saviour; he had feit his misery ftr
an eternity before It came reality; he had kept
him after his creation, though plunged In sin
and dissipation, and entreated him TO come to
him that he might have rest.
We should declare, then, what God had done
for us, because 1t has tendency 20 make US
happy. How many persons year after year visit
our city, see the magnificent attractions with
which Il abounds, and then return TO rejoice the
hearts Of loved ones with what they have scent
| How few speak OF the capital Of the universe,
Heaven, and praise God for having prepared
such adwelllng-place for worms OF the dustf We
should praise God, because II has tendency 70
awaken similar feelings IN the hearts OF the IN
| converted. A hymn, a word spoken In season,
| could the calculation be made, would be found TO
have converted as many souls as preaching.
Lastly, we should do so for the glory OF God. IL
| WAS All acknowledgment of mis- love. az well as Of
| his power, when we do 30.
The constitution OF this church, which Is the
| oldest but one Of the same denomination In the
District, took place on the Sd OF June, 1910. The
names OF the i've constituent members were
BartlesOn Fox, Clement Boswell, Harvey Bes-
| tor, Joseph BOrTows and Sarah BOrrOwa.
| Services at nrst were heln In McLeodh school,
house, near the navy yard proper, but measures
were soon provided for house OF worship,
| which resulted ln the erection OF q small frame
building near the corner OF @ and Fourth
streets, q short distance north OF the present To-
| cation. The church was nrst occupied In Sep
temner, lslo, the opening sermon being preached
| gInin, preached once month on Sunday. ln
September this entry was made upon the record
| "LOr1B supper adtnlnlstered Ny Eluor IOOer
to tweniy-three communicates, with visiting
In isi4, spencer IL. Cone, then a clerk in the
Treasury Department, preached his nrst sermon
and acquired great n0toriety as an eloquent
preacher and one year Afterwards he was elected
| chaplain TO Congress.
such are some OF the leading events OF the old
church, which has been the mother OF many
others in the District Of Columbia. The mem-
bershIp at present Is 900. Sunday school oficers
and teachers, 90; scholars, 9S5. But one OF the
| original members Is alive, Mrs, Sarah Davis who
has been member for the long period Of nifty
sERMos AT FOUNDRY IN. ~ CHURCH.
| An able aud interesting sermon was preached
at The Foundry m. ~ church by Rev. Br. Cieye-
land, last evening. TO large congregation. Ills
text was taken from st. John, xiy;iT: "I will
He said the day Of pentacoat was remembered
by all Christians throughout the world who be-
| lieved In the Trinity. All former dlspensations
weN dead now: THIS day y the dlspensation o. q
| power-power with God, power with man. II IL
| Impossible for a man to succeed In religion with
out the Spirit Of God, In the same manner as II
| out certain amount OF vim or enthusiasm.
| Morality never gave thls enthusiasm 10 man OF
quickened his Imagination. II Is cold and pre-
cse life, leading At all times In straight iines.
Religion was beauty, enthusiasm, love, power
In short, It was all Of morality and that unspeak.
able something which Is the gift OF God.
| moral life may convince, but it has no power
to convert; II Is too cold to klndle Inspiration;
too ideallstc TO touch the great throbblng heart
OF humanity In its ceaseless pinlngs for some
thing II wOtS not Of Till the spirit OF 0od shines
into II.
The great want OF the Church iu these latter
days was spiritual power. lie believed that all
now lacking to conquer and batter down the
61iwarES OF the evil one was the power OF the
Holy Spirit to wrestle with God In prayer unit
he gives US the victory. The machinery, tn,
firearms OF Christianity were already In goot
condition; the powder alone was wanting "a
be touched with nre.
lie concluded then with an eloquent appeal Il
| all present, both men anu women, 10 strive Il
ing, and all will be well with you"
The singing OF the choir at tins church is ex
cellent, and during tho past week q soprano o
rare power has been added.