National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-02-01
VARIOUS DIsOJURsEs YESTERDAY.
SERMON BY REV. DR.. RANKIN.
MOUNT VERNON METHODIST CHURCH
CHRIST CHURCH, EPISCOPAL.
InterC sting Exercises - The Roman
Catholic Regulations for Lent
How - VIII be Observed by
the Faithful.
First Congregational Chursh.

The pastor, Rev. DR.. Rankin, preached in the
morning from Isaiah, xxvii:1O: For precept must
be upon precept; precept upon precept; line upon
line, line upon line here little and there q lit
tle.'' His object was to show that Christianity is
an art as we'll as a science; is to be learned by
practice as we'll as accepted in theory. The PHI
losophy Of trade is one thing; you may under
stand the reason OF 1t, better than the artI-
san; but by long apprenticeship he has been
taught the art. the kBaek of It, There is weart-
ness and repetition in the Christian life but 1t is
a mans Apprenticeship for eternity.
A man has experienced religiOn-that is, found
out for himself the truthfulness of the truth. 1t
is a new discovery, as though he had found a new
continent. He sees that God has made him, loves
him, and deserves his service. He loves God be-
cause God loves him. This is the theory, the phi
lOsophy of religion 1t is also art, to be bought
only by doing little things over and over again.
Do you think a man can vault into the grace of
He has experienced religion. Yes, and now he is
an apprentice to the art of Christian living. As
he sees 1t in the mature saint 1t looks easy
enough. But tomorrow he loses his temper, Just
as he did yesterday. All! he has to learn the art
Of selEcontrol. man may learn the science Of
music easily enough, but the art Of It comes only
after many years of practicing the veriest drudg-
cry. A Christian is one who is trying to put into
practice the precepts o. his Master.
Many people think they must be perfect before
they have any right to call themselves Christians
But Christian is only disciple. He is educat-
ing his head to think Christian thoughts; his
hand to de Christian deeds. He is putting off the
head and hands OF the old man, and putting on the
members OF the new man. 1t is no little thing to
have formed correct outward habits. A young
man, not Christian, is to be felicItated If he has
been so trained that he has nothing to undo when
he becomes a Christian.
People sometimes say, I an sick OF this eternal
repetition of Bible study, prayer-meetngs, giving
to benevolent objects attendance on the saactu.
airy. 1t is your training for eternity. The edu-
eating power Of it consists in your doing 1t over
and over, until it shall have become your second
nature. Let no man hesitate about beginning the
habits OF Christian before he dares call himself
by the name. We sometimes find nominal Chris
tians whose habits unchristiln. 1t Is pleasant
to find the converse. Let US remember, too, that
in our discipline for eternity God is father and
notices little things.
In the evening, the topic was the first of Jesus'
seven words upon the cross: Father forgive
them; for they know not what they do"
Christ Church, Navy Yard.
The Rev. Benjamin Rodgers occupied :he pull
pit of Christ church. protestant EplscOpal)
Navy Yard, yesterday. His discourse was more
OF an address than a sermon. 1t was in behalf of
the Church society formed to aid ministers and
increase their usefulness and numbers by fur
nishing the sineWs to carry on the war OF God
and his children against Satan aud his imps.
The reverend gentleman stated many interesting
facts In the course Of his address. He asserted
that there are circuits throughout the Western
country, embracing from 600 to $1,000 pOpula-
tion, which were only supplied with one minister.
II the necessary aid could be furnished these
spaces could easily be tlled up and thousands of
souls saved. He appealed to his hearers to be
liberal in their contributions TO this good work Of
Church so that they may be better enabled to
continue their fight against sin, and instruct the
ignorant in the light Of Gods holy word.
1t is the intention to take up collection IN aid
of the society in Christ church on Ash Wednes-
day.
The ladies of the Dorcas Society Of Christ
church, Navy Yard, who have given several sue
cesslul entertainments already, propose to give
musical olio on Friday evening next In the beau
tifully finished chapel of Christ church. A pOr-
ton OF the Marine band will be present to fur
nish the instrumental music for the occasion, and
Mr.. John Tweedale, the Well-k known reader, and
Mr.. Cripu P8lmOnt will give reeitations. Messrs
Sam. Cross, J. II. RathbOrn and others will favor
those present with some excellent vocal music.
Mount Vernon N. E. Church South.
The services at Mount Vernon church yester-
day, though short, were of a very Interesting
character. Rev. A. W. Wilson dlscoursed from
Cor, xiiil,2,3. He began his remarks by citing
his text and spoke OF the place Of love in the
Christian life and the manifestation Of God to
those who fulfill his law. The obedience Of his
orders was the perfection OF human nature, and
gifts were nothing without charity. Even with
the gift of prophecy and understanding all mys-
tories and all knowledge, without charity man
was nothing. 1t was Of long sutfering, eaVieth
not, and was not pulled up. 1t never faileth
Man to be good servant Of God must have char
ity to all. DR.. Wilson dWelt extensively on the
duty Of man towards his neighbor, and charged
that love must be borne to one another with a
spirit Of charity.