National Republican., 1876-03-25
REL1esoE AND TEMPERANCE,
Gods Messages Of asrsy-Yhs Eadiss' Ieu-
psrarce UaiOn,


The MesropoI,,an church wss crowded gestst.
day morning above aud below. Hsa. William Il.
Dodge occupying . Eeat on the platform. Il
being the anniversary Of the oEganiE alton Of the
Ladies' Temperance Union. Il was deemed good
opportunity for the presentation Of some facts in
relation to temperance, and the addresses snd
experiences gtvsa consequently bore moro
directly on that SUBJECT.
After singing and prayer. Rev. Dr.. Sunderland
selected for Bible reading portion Of the fourth
chapter OF Jonah, relating to the threatened
destruction Of Ninsveh. as forstoId by that
prophet. We first hear Of Jonah as fourIshing
about eight hundred and forty years before
Christ probably acting as chaplain or spiritual
director OF ths armies OF 1sraei' WHICH al tnat
territory to their possessions: and no doubt when
he travelled TO Hlneyeh aud delivered his mes
habitants, who must have heard Of his great
power. And yet, although man Of such great
spiritual attachments, and having ultima'e Inter.
course with God, he was Of a very peeVish and
perverse nature, showing that Heaven often uses
Strange Instruments for the accomplishment Of
its purpofes. There are several lessons to be
derived from this history. First, that
GODS MESSAGE rs ALWAYS ONE OF MERCv,
n m after what form # comes in. Although the
message sent TO that city was threatening one,
there was condition attached to It that forty
repent when God destroyed the cities of the
plains he gave the people no warning, but In this
case ne was meICiiCl, anu Iuey WoIc LOlu luAt II
they repented he would save them. And this is
the Gospel Of to-day. An opportunity Is given
for sinners to leave their sins. 1t comes to them
looking upon them as rational creatures, free to
choose between the right and the wrong, and
offering them a pardon if they will accept It.
Next we see that Jonah was dissatisfied with the
success Of his own preaching. His pride rose up
In rebellion against God, and he began to think
that he would be called false prophet because
God was about to save the city. But the third
and most important lesson to be learned is that
the Holy Ghost converts the impenitent Neither
conversion; not because they have not the natu-
raj power, but because il is not their Office.
Therefore II is tina. we should be careful not to
God the Holy Spirit, Paraclete, comforter and
enlightener Of the soul, who is at work here iu
this city, and we should be careful not to resist
the power that is at work around US.
The Rev. Edward Payson, whose memory was
still so fondly cherished by many Christians,
thread, fran as a spiders web, should b, let
down from Heaven on the shoulders OF every
man, and that this thread should be the only
connecting link between rs and God, the only
thing on which could rest our hopes of
Heaven, would we not be careful not to destroy
il, but to keep the connection unbroken? The
spirit Of God is lust as tende. as this thread and
If you undertake to resist Its entreaties aud
crush its influence Il may break. and you will
The meeting that day was TO be furnished with
a report from
THE LADIES TENT ERANcE UNION
of this city as TO the food of Iatemperance that
Is causing so mGcn anguish ana death. HIS b.
lief was that the spirit which brooded over the
face of the waters, which brought light out OF
darkness and order oat Of confusion, has alone
the power to purify mans sppetttes and passions
and set him free In the liberty wherewith Christ
can make US free. Ali efforts In this line must
be based on the cooperation of the spirit, and
doing this is the only way by which we ca create
such public sentiment as will be equivalent to
an atmosphere SO pure and holy that It will be
considered dlsrep1tsble and scandalous for any
one to traffic in such an Infamous trade.
Mrs. Church read very interesting report as
TO the work Of the Ladies Temperance Union.
1t had been decided 10 open temperance lunch
rooms in various parts OF the city, where whole
some food could be served without the accom-
panying temptation OF strong drink, and an ap-
peal for contributions was SO generously re-
sponded to that "Holly Tree Inn" had been
opened. Earnest requests had bean made this
applications Tor liquor licenses, so as to reduce
the number of saloons in the city. and they had
repeatedly called upon various officers 10 enforce
in the Capital of the United States. Among the
list of those who had affixed their names to ap-
plications for liquor licenses they regretted TO
ind the names Of some Of our most prominent
citizens, protesting Christians, whose names
stand first in every good work and who give
lums and hospitals. Thirteen saloons In one To-
calitJ had been investigated. ana the papers in
only one case found to be legal, and they were
confident that II this Investigation could be car
red on throughout the city a great good would
be effected. Numerous appeals had been made
&c them to try and
PREVENT THE OFENISg OE LIQCoE SALOONS
opposite Government buildings and grounds es.
peclaIly near the Government Printing Once.
Still the power lays in the hands Of the property
owners. and the Government buildings are not
more silent than the lawmakers within. The
Union would be glad to receive contributions OF
papers and magazines Tor the use Of persons in
The city Jail.
tirely agreed with the sentiments which had been
expressed that morning as to the work of the
spirit in spreading temperance. Men who had
the sOrial scala aDDeaIfnV n
God for help, and he was answering the prayers
Of the insbriete IN very remarkable manner.
e % 5a E Ssd BEEN s
fering through long and weary years because
men having the power had licensed sin and In
Iquity. He thanked God that both in his own
city and elsewhere UNCONVENTIONAL differences
had been forgotten, and all were striving to do
something as Christians. to Go something for the
cause OF truth. He spoke rs 20 Mr. Hammond's
lab0Es amorg children. saying that he had fol-
lowed linn with great interest for m any years.
and stated that his twenty years experience as
superintendent of Sunday school had convinced
him that those who were converted in early youth
were the most faithful and diligent.
Rev. DR.. Noble said he had been associated
with The Ladies Cnion tor the past two years,
and knew they had been working quietly and
energetically all the time, and felt that their
faith was how being rewarded.
Mr.. Hammond followed with some forcible aud
pupgent remarks as to our duty in looking for
and watching the children OF drunkards as well
as In pTaying iGr the iDtemPerats;
in the temperance cause in Virginia. said that
the influence Of the revival movement had pene-
tIatea to t1ss Stace STATE she gave very eloquent
burg. ard the success that had attended their
efforts and, knowing thT the same spirit was
here, we should not be discouraged but press on
knowing that God would give us the victory
Rev. Mr.. D0mer. read letter he had received
stating that the proprietors ot prominent sport
ing-hOuse in Washington were willing to paY
Mr. Hammond 500 II he wouldIeaye the city as
he was inIurirg their business Materially.
An Inqulry meeting loitoSeo, to which many
Of an army officer who for two years had been
addicted to drinking and gambling He had
remembrsnces of early child hood and Of pray.
ing mother, coupled with the experiences he had
heard, SO wrought upon him that conviction
seized him. and he left the church feeling hap
pier. and determined to lead different lie in
future.
EysniDg hsstirg.
The Congregational church was crowded in
the evening, notwithstanding the unfavorsbls
weather, and the proceedings were of an interest,"
ing and diversified character. A short praise
meeting was held after the Introductory services,
and many brief experiences were given and earn.
est thanks returned for conversions and bIessfngr
| received at the meetings. The singing BY tAe
| choir is new quite an attractive feature, sspe-
Stny of the evening services, and the Song
| 6agL from Whien the hymns are nken, Is
Many Of the hymns in this collection were
written oy MI. Hammond in Palestine and other
Oriental countries
Rev. W. S. Hammond, Or. Rankin and Mr.
Hammond made interesting addresses, and the
usual iLquiry meeting was held at the close. The
meetings durt5g The past week have been so sue
cesstul, and !, response to the urgent dem ands
OF both miDsters and lsymsn, who recognize the
Importance OF the work that is being done here
Mr.. HaEmond has consented to remain few
days lolker.
This morning the BibIe-reading meeting will
he helE in the Rev. Dr. SunderIand's church on
tOurAnd- a. half street and a young converts
meeang will be held in the Calvary Baptist
chych at go p. m.
IN Sunday afternoon q chlldren's meeting will
be held In the Metropolitan church, at O'clock
and the usual Union meeting in the Congrega-
tonal church at p. N.
On Monday evening there will be three meet
lngs ln the churches of Rev. Drs. Sunderland
Noble and Domer. On the remaining evenings
the meetings will be held, as before, In the Con.
Rregational church. The Bible reading morning
meetings will be held during the ensuing week
in the Rev. DR.. Sunderlsnds church
Un Tuesday afternoon, at 4 O'Clock, a meeting
Of Christian workers will be held In the Cougre.
gational church.
WILLIAM q. OTTMAN.
His Trial in the Criminal Court.
Tha f-Fo nC L