Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-11-19


ample can refuse? Can you remember
the cross and then talk of any sacrifices
that you shall be called on to make, Which
will be but shadows compared with a
terrible reality. And none that you &c
make shall ever 60 unrewarded. Every
prayer, every act of work. every drop OF
martyrs blood, everything done in IT.
membrance of Him shall have its reward
But if your motive is unlike His; If you
act from vanity, or ostentation. or merely
secular motives; if you are moved by any
thing but the constraining love of Christ
you do not deserve reward.
In conclusion, you must regard the Oh
.ject that animated Christ. AS he strove for
the invisible church, so you must deter
mine, let it cost what it will, to push for
ward the visible organization, keeping BE-
fore you, constantly, its purity, and remem-
bering that its membership must be pure in
| life, free from discussions, uncharitable-
| effort and zeal. See to it, that there be
no spots OF blemishes. See to it, that your
prayers, your efforts, your lives, are de-
voted to the accomplishment Of the great
end for which Christ died. For it shall
be accomplished. In vain have States op-
posed it. In vain have kings hunted its
people and shed the blood of its SONS and
| daughters. The church stands to-day
while the kingdoms that prosecuted ii
have vanished. 1t has seen the funerals
of many kingdoms. 1t is no more certain
| that the Ganges and the Nile, the Thames
and the Euphrates, The Amazon and tilt
Mississippi all must pour their waters
into the great deep, than that all tht
kingdoms Of the earth must bring theil
glory to the Kingdom of Christ. Yo,
may be unfaitlful or not; this congrega
ton may he made a synagogue for the
| Devil, but that will not ssay the onward
march of the hosts of the Living Goo.
Whether you shall join in this host de-
ponds upon the spirit of love and sacrifice
that fills your heart.
And now what are you to gain for all
this love and work and sacrifceY When
the soldiers of Garibaldi, about to march
to free Italy, said to him, what are you
going to give US for all this?" 81 will
give you,n he replied, 81 will give yor
hunger, fatigue, desolated homes; will
give you the battlefield, with its gaping
wounds and staring dead, but will give
| you a free country They shouted, "We
are your men!" And SO with the great
Captain, Jesus. He does not tell you the
road is easy. He tells you it is hard ard
stony, and full of sacrifice, but he also tells
you of the glorious end. 1t rests with yol.
to be faithful unto death, and gain this
end May He guide you Alright and bless
you with unstinted blessings, and finally
keep you in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
PRAYER.
Rev. Mr.. Rosebro then prayed as fol
lows:
Oh Lord Jesus, Thou great shepherd OF
the flock, wilt Thou look down in Thy ill.,
finite love and tenderness upon this little
flock, newly come into the fold of Thy
visible church Guide their footsteps il
Thy ways, show them their duty and fill
them with the fullness of Thy Holy
Spirit. Thou, who hast promised to bt
with them unto the end, do Thou fill then
hearts with burning love for Thee, and
baptiZe Them with new zeal in Thy
service. Direct them in all the steps OF
! their organization, and give them ruler
approved of God and men, and we PRAY
Thee send them speedily one who shal
break the bread OF life to them, who's,
| ministration shall be to Thy glory. AL
of which we ask in the name of Jesu.
Christ, our Savior.
The 564th hymn: "Gicrious things OF
Thee are spoken, Zion, City of our God
was then sung.
After the benediction the audience wa
dismissed, but a very large number re-
manned to witness the ordination of tlr-
officers, the ceremony being performed b,
Rev. Messrs. Rosebro, Walker and Eide,
Bell.
THE ORDINATION.
Rev. Mr.. Walker said there were SOM
Christians of other denominations VIII,
proposed joining this congregation, but
he would sug yest that they get letters
dismiss:on from their churches befor.
joining; the Presbyterian church demand
ed liberty of conscience, but also order
and did not build herself up from Other
churches.
| Mai. Jed. I[otehkiss then moved to go
two Deacons, which was done and the
afternoon selection was confirmed by the
choice of Chas. D. Mccoy, Elder, and
Henry A. Walker and VIM. A. Hudson
/ Deacons. The usual questions WERE
asked of the officers and the usual demand
of obedience made from the congregation.
After which. in the midst of most solemn
and impressive prayer by Rev. Mr.. Walker,
| the ceremony Of laying on Of hands was
performed. The charge to the congrega-
ton was then delivered by Rev. Mr..
| Walker.
CALL FOR REV. M'DUFF SIMPSON.
The following call for the services of
Rev. McDuff Simpson. Of Churchyille, was
then read:
The congregation constituting the Sec.
Ond Presbyterian Church of 0taunton, Va.
being on sufficient grounds we'll satisfied
of the ministerial qualifications Of you.
McDuff Simpson, and having good hopes
| from our past experience of your labors
that your illustrations in the Gospel will
be profitable to our spiritual interests, d,
earnestly call and desire you to undertake
the pastoral office in said congregation
promising you i'll the discharge Of YOU
duty all proper support, encouragement
and obedience in the Lord. And that you
may be free from worldly cares and avoca
lions, we hereby promise and oblige our
mum. in regular quarterly instruments
during the time of your being and continu
ing the ocular pastor Of this church. In
testimony whereof we have respectively
subscribed our names this l4th day of No
vember, 1875.