The daily gazette., 1878-03-25
The Asbury Pastoratc.

Ihe AsDuFy k,astOrate.
FIRST APPEARANCE OF THE NEW PAS
ToR--AN ABLE, ELOQUENT AND sUG-
nEsTIvB SERMON.
The first appearance OF the newly-ap-
pointed minister Of Asbury NJ. L. Church,
Rev. j. A. B. Wilson, yesterday morning
In view Of the pecu .a- circumstances
connected with his d appointment, drew
together large G ~ i'eaLion, which oc-
cnpied nearly every seat In the church
The advent OF lie new pastor was made
under most oiseouraging circumsl lances,
as previous to the assembling of the Con-
ference the congregation had made a
unanimous request for another minister.
and they only acquiesced in the present
arrangement, latter exhausting every effort
to secure the minister of their choice. II
will therefore be readily seen that the
new shepherd had difficult task before
him in ministering to the spiritual needs
OF dissatisfied flock, but the great sue
cess Of his initial appearance will prove
his crowning triumph, and clearly de-
msnstrates that he is just the man to
rescue old Asbury from TIE slough of
difficulty into which recent unfortunate
circumstances have plunged her, and
restore the "mother of Wilmington
Methodlsm" to her pristine glory and
spiritual strength.
The services, throughout, were sug-
gestive OF the peculiar circumstances sur
rounding the new minister and his charge.
The opening prayer by Rev. j. Z. Now
bray was greeted with frequent and
hearty responses, showing that the con-
gregation were ripe with religious feeling
and spirit, and ready to accept with true
thankfulness whatever blessings the 'new
dispensation Of things would accord to
them.
Highly suggestive, also, was the second
hymn, which was that grand old pr0due-
tlon Of VIM. Cowper's trusting faith,
"God moves In a mysterious way,
His wonders 70 perform"
Most effectively did the new pastor
render the beautiful lines, and slowly,
but surely, new light dawned upon the
minds of many in the congregation, as
their position was faithfully portrayed
and their deliveraDce truthfully predict
ed by the worths of faith and trust that
fell from the preachers lips:
"Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust hi I'm for his grace;
Behind frowning Providence
He hides a smiling face.
ellis purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have bitter taste.
But sweet will be the flower"
A hush of expectancy fell upon the
congregation as the pastor arose to COM
mence his sermon, and with additional
force and significance did the words of
the text selected for the occasion fall
upon their listening ears;
''Be careful for nothing; but in every
thing by prayer and supplicati-n with
thankfulness let your requests be made
known unto God
"And the peace of God, which passeth
all understanding, shall keep your hearts
and minds, through Christ jesus" Phil
liplans, 4ch., @, Z.
The line of argument advanced in the
sermon as,that in all human events two
parties are responsible-man for action
and God for results. And that by a
partial reversal of this order, by man
attempting to assume Gods part and
responsibility, much earthly trouble is
occasioned. The meaning of the text
was to relieve man from the care of doubt,
in word, TO teach him to refrain from
"borrowing trouble" in regard to the
probable results of his well-laid plans for
future spiritual good, and to leave the
results to God. Nobody is ever bene-
atted by this overburdening of the mind
with fears as to the probable results; on
the contrary, 1t does much harm, shuts
out joy from the soul, and peace and
happiness from the mind. 1t also has a
depressing effect upon all who in any
way come under its influence, and does
infinite harm to the cause of Christ. Oft
times, by the indulgence of this fear in
regard 10 probable results, we are led, 10
ask too much, and God, in His infinite
wisdom, refuses these requests, knowing
what is best for His people.
Pursuing the theme of his discourse,
the pastor eloquently amplfied the spirit
and meaning Of the text, that the prayer
ful requests of the spirit, while not al
ways answered in accordance with per-
sonal wishes, will ever be attended with
that "peace OF God, which passeth all
understanding" which brings Joy and
happiness to every suffering heart, puri-
hoo 1hO sPhlb, anu iuiiy prepares lue peO-
pie OF God for the rest In the time to
come. 1t is this feeling that manifests
the Providence of God in every occur
renee, and shows that He works the
greatest blessings 10 His people in those
things that bring tears to their eyes, and
are apparently in opposition TO their
fondest hopes and most earnest desires.
In amplifying these briefly stated argu-
ments, the pastor delivered himself with
an eloquence of speech and earnestness
of manner that at once endeared him to
the congregation, and his glowing utter
ance were greeted with hearty responses
from every part of the church. His SER
mon touched responsive chord in the
generous hearts Of the people of old
Asbury, and at the conclusion of the
services they flocked around him earnest
lly rendering him the right hand of fell
lowship, and assuring him that their
confidence and support would he freely
rendered him while he labored in their
midst.
In the evening Rev. Mr.. Wilson again
mr.