The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-11-03
At, MArrmEM,H CIrrRcII.


Completion Of Rev. MF. SWOpe's first
eRr-AhhIVeFSRFy sermon Yesterday
THE Financial Condition or the
Church.
Rev. Mr., swope completed his first
year pastorate at ct. Matthew's Episco.
pal Church yesterday, and a portion Of his
remarks were devoted to q review Of the
present condition Of the church as re.
spects It's numerical and financial condi.
tons. lie introduced his reference to the
condition Of tho church with the follow.
ing remarks, taking for his text the sth
verse Of the LIST chapter OF the Acts, read.
ing: "lInt yo shall receive power after
that tho Holy Ghost Is come upon you"
These words were uttered by our Lord
to Ills disciples, and were intended for
their comfort; but We, who live under
the disyensatiOn OF the spirit, are war.
ranted In applying them 10 ourselves, aud
believing that We who have work to do
and nllrmitiGs to overcome will have the
help Of this same divine presence. Bu. ii
Is to he feared that the power Of the Holy
Spirit has become too much OF thc0l0gl-
cal term among us rather than living
reality. And the reason uf this is found
in the mAteriAlistiC ideas OF tho present
age, coupled with lack OF religious in.
terest among protesting Christians that
amounts to practical inndclity.
We are constantly called upon to OK.
press our belief in tho Holy Ghost, not as
once descended but as still working and
living in Christian men. lie Is the rela-
ton or bond between tho Father and the
Son; the great power Of God and the
enCe Of God gladdening all things with
His smile; warming and sanctifying all
thing With His life.givlng heat, The idea
Of God is not complete without the Holy
Ghost. lie is the ultimate term OF His
will, al exhausting it, Us well as the ulti.
mate Term Of his wisdom and intellect.
THIS Is what revelation points out to us as
the spirit Of the Father and the Son, re.
latiOn akin 10 that OF the natural sun TO
the heavens, which is not complete With
out the idea OF heat aud light. And vet
this is an imperfect analogy, Us every
analogy from human things must be, in
this respect that the Holy Spirit is not to
DO conceived OF as n mere influence, a
manifestation OF God. lie is God. Tic
has separate personal existence. Our
Lord describes Him as another Comforter.
Another for Himself, yet not the Father.
Another, yet Comforter such us lie was.
Another and yet OF the same nature as
Himself.
! am led to dwell npon the existence
and personality OF the Holy Ghost, be-
cause only by realizing can We hope to ex-
cite the yearning for Ills presence that Sc.
cures the blessing; and without it there
Can be no spiritual power in any indi.
viduRl congregation or church. Aswell
expect man 10 live without the breath
of life, az for soul to have life without
the inhrCathing OF the Holy Ghost. A
church, though it have an Apostolic min.
istry and orthodox creed, trnesacraments,
n preached Gospel, without the Holy
Ghost, is only piece OF ecclesiastical
sculpture; beautiful it may be, but cold
and inanimate. The promises Of the Holy
Spirits guidance was to The Church. But
the Church is not an obstruction, it is the
totality OF rcgcneratch Christians. 1t Is
the personal piety OF the several COmmuni.
Cants which gives spirituality to Il congre
IgatiOn. This church was not built "a
Rdorn the city with its graceful GothicprO'
portions, but to be like the lantern on the
EddystOne rock, light that should shine
into the darkened heart, and cheer tenn
pest tossed breasts.
II is a solemn question that have Ia
ask you: How have you used the oppor.
tunitiCs offered you? This morning / be-
gin another year OF pastoral oversight
among you, and have the right to ask it.
For the year Just passed ! can answer in d
general measure from my general knOwl,
edge Of my people. But TO make you SO
Judge yourselves, | will giYea brief re-
SHINE OF our years work.
The reduction Of the church indebted.
ness is matter OF congrNtuatiOn. From
100000 it has been reduced TO $1,000.
The total amount Of money contributed
in the parish during the year ending No.
vember ], was S0,S90.0U The number OF
communicates is %S7. The sewing school
numbers l22 children and twelve teach.
ers, and is means Of providing poor fam.
lilies with comfortable clothing us well rs
instrUCting the children in necessary
art and in lNbitsoi ncAtness and industry.
ne S0clliR proved occasions al great en-
Ijoymrnt, and the money raised thereby,
though no uncomfortable amount, was the
least Of their advantages.
The Sunday Schools connected with the
church are all in Il lIUurishing condition,
though sadly in want Of gentlemen to as
sist in their management.
OF my personal lNbOrs it is difficult 10
speak, as statistics can give M idea of q
clergyman's work. During the year |
have otliciated lG7 times, celebrated the
holy communion II times, baptized IS in.
fants and adults, presented gG persons for
confirmation, solemnized eight marriages,
and used the last sacred office Of The
church on II occasions.
And in conclusion let me urge you rs q
congregation and individually TO seek n
more plentiful outpouriug OF the Holy
Spirit.