The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-02-05
Religious and Church Items.
LAST SUNDAYS SERVICE.

Irintty.-Rev. II. A. Skinner preached a
very practical sermon on Sunday evening
last on sudden conversions. The case of
St. Paul was cited as one of the rare in
stances of momentary conversion, and the
sudden stroke which Frustrated him in the
dusty road at monday, as he was journey
ing to Damascus could not be considered
a conversion, but more properly conviction,
for he was ordered to rise and 60 into the
city where he would be told what he should
do. And not till Paul had been instructed
and grown in grace for three years, did he
begin his mission of preaching the gospel
to the world. The preacher concluded
that waiting for momentary conversions
and depending on death-bed repentance
were very uncertain expedlents. Religion
is a life time work, and the growth in grace
is like the growth from infancy to man.
hood.
Presbytsrian.-The attendance was very
good, both in the morning and evening.
In the morning, Rev. w. w. Heberton
preached from the words in Joshua, 9th
chapter, 18th verse: "Choose you this day
whom you will serve" in connection with
Jeremiah, Goth chapter, sth verse: II set
before you the way Of life and death"
The subject was divided into three heads:
First that the words of God uncovers the
danger is before us, and shows the way that
leads to death. Second, it points out clearly
the way of life and how the danger may be
avoided. Third, all having the word of
God in their hands are without excuse, if
they do not choose the way of life.
In the evening the text was Mark, 18th
O,,l { TIa, Ea;t1 GAl
This subject may, by some, be regarded
as trite and uninteresting, but to the Chris
tian it was of inexhaustible interest. In
the words of little child it meant to trust
in God and ask no questiohs.' The his
tories of Noah, Abraham and Moses were
cited as furnishing illustrations Of the sub
.ject. Men would trust and rely upon their
own deeds of morality, but would not trust
the word of God. The subject was elo-
quently pressed upon those who have not
accepted of Christ as their personal Saviour.
". E. Church.-The congregations in
this church were large, both morning and
evening. The Pastor, though suffering
much with an attack of neuralgia head
ache, superinduced by severe cold, was
present in both services. Rev. F. A. Ellis
assisted him in the preliminary services,
both morning and evening.
The morning sermon was founded on
Philippians 80: And he found in Him
not having mine own righteousness which
is of the law, but that which is through
the faith of Christ, the righteousness which
is of God by faith
In discussing his theme, the Righteousness
of Faith, DR.. PhGbus said:
Paul was man who had been stopped
tl,, thn
right way. Christ found him that he might
find Christ; opening his eyes to things
spiritual that he might be blind to things
temporal, and revealing things heavenly
that he might be less solicitous of things
earthly.
What sad failure it would have been if
he had failed. His attention had been
arrested, not only by the Spirit and the
Word, the means given to most men, but
Jesus had spoken to him out of heaven;
had wrapped him up in a flame of heavenly
light; had directed him as to his steps to
obtain the knowledge of Himself. What,
if from being thus arrested and directed,
his life had been recorded as: First, per-
secutor, then a believer, then runaway
or traitor.
Paul never forgot that day and he never
will. Hence, frequently, before he heard
the Master say, Thou hast fought the good
fight thou hast finished thy course thou
hast kept the faith, Enter thou
into the joy of the Lord" he referred to
his Damascus journey, his conversion, and
Lis immediate resolutions.
Paul had set up standard of righteous
ness before his conversion to which he had
attained, not only in his own eyes, but in
the estimation CT others. The exactitude
of the law found in him no fault. His an
cestral tree dropped no better fruit from its
cherished boughs than he. Austere in life
and even in principles, he saw nothing but
vice in that which differed from pharisaical
Judaism. When Christ showed him his
wrong course he Immediately set up an
other standard And though years had
passed, he was not complete, not having
attained to the fullness of the conception
of his mind. He had been turned from
the law standard to the I" faith in Christ -
here was knowledge that was more de-
sirable than all before gained. He would
part with home honors home religion, and
personal legal righteousness, if so he might
win Christ, and all the knowledge to be
gained in him.
He did not despise former virtues, but
they were not such as his present standard
would regard as most valuable. He had
found Christ, but he wanted more than
lllS-uG NduteIi W UC III NiliiISI lalIii,
&c.
The night service opened with an adj
dress to the congregation, urging the neces-
sity of a Christian life. Several CONVEX
sions and accesSions have been made to
this growing church.
Persons having leisure will find it pleas
ant to spend an hour in the Sunday school,
VIM. Torbert, Superintendent.
PORT DEPOSIT.
In the Presbyterian Church the sermon
in the morning was from Romans, 1873.
1t was clear and forcble exposition of
the nature of the covenant which God made
with Adam, as taught in the Westminster
catechsm.
In the evening an earnest, fervent, prac-
tical discourse was preached from Ezekiel
90: The Lord said unto him, go through
the midst of the city, through the midst of
Jerusalem, and set mark upon the fore
heads of the men that sigh, and that cry,
for all the denominations that be done in the
midst thereof.
Onsnext Sabbath evening the Pastor will
preach u sermon to men; men only are in
vited to attend.
The regular Sabbath work in this con-
gregation is Sunday school at 0 A. NJ. in the
church, preaching at 10 80, mission schools
at Perryvile and Franklin at M, preach
ing at Perryvile at 3, young mems prayer
meeting (at the church) at 6, and preach
ing at p
The mission service at Perryville was
begun under the ministry of Rev. Henry
Branch Cone ever watchful in seeking out
work for the Master, and Jealous and faith
full in doing it), and has been worthily car
red on by the present Pastor, who has
already had the low of seeing much fruit
from dis labor there.
The Sunday school is like Franklin, per-
ennal in growth and fruitfulness. Neither
Summers suns nor Winters blasts lessen
the zeal and energy of the Christian work
ers who there bear the banner of King
Jesus.
Port Deposit Industries.