Morning journal and courier., 1880-04-07
Welcome to Rev. MT. samson.

Reception at Calvary Baptist Church Floral Decorations - Addresses by
 Prominent ClergyEnen of This and Other Cities.
 There was large gathering at the Calvary
 Baptist church last evening, it being the occa-
 sion of the reception to Rev. MT. Samson, the
 new pastor of this church. The work of the
 ladies of the congregation was plainly visible
 on entering the sanctuary, the pulpit, reading
 desk and front of the platform being very
 handsomely decorated with flowers and plants.
 In front of the platform in floral letters was
 the word t'WeIcoms." On the platform were
 seated many distinguished clergymen of this
 and other cities, most of whom took part in
 the exercises of the evening.
 Rev. Dr. Stifer, of the Wooster Place Bap-
 tist church, presided and opened the exercis-
 es by the announcement that the reception
 would be of an informal character. He said
 he was glad of an opportunity to welcome
 Brother Samson to this large field of labor,
 and his prayer was that he might be abund-
 antly successful in his work.
 The divine blessing was then invoked by
 Professor Knapp, of Yale College.
 Rev. 0. 0. Smith then gave out the hymn
 commencing
 How beauteous are their feet Who stand on Zions hill.
 After the singing Rev. A. H. Ball read from the scriptures the second chapter of the Sec ond of Timothy.
 Prayer followed by Rev. S. Dryden Phelps of Hartford, formerly of this city. Rev. Dr. Samson, father of the new minis
 ter, was then introduced. He said there were things new and old for the gospel minister. The gospel of truth was promulgated four hundred and fifty years before the law of Moses and while it was not new there was something new in it. In his experience in training young men for the ministry he had tried to get hold of the Saviour's sentiments, both in teaching and ill preaching The direct work of the spirit upon the heart in regenera- tion is truth that is not new; it is an old doctrine. The Saviour exhibited new illustrations of truth. He urged his followers to love one another Love to God | and love to man it grows in the church and grows in the community. Just as ia the indi- vidual so in the generation. In closing he said that they could rejoice that the word of God is not to pass away. Creeds shall vanish, but the word then is our joy, then is our strength We may trust it and it will redeem and save.
 The 536th hymn read by Rev. Mr. Ross YRS | then sung by choir and congregation. Rev. Dr. Gillette, of New York. was the | next speaker. He said: My being here to- night carries me back many years when the Rev. Dr. Neal was located here. I WAS called | to Baptist church in this city at that time, and wanted to come; but the people in Philadelphia urged me to remain, and did so. 1 was afterward induced to accept the | pastorate of church in Washington, and in l the choir of that church sat this young man l whom you have called, and beside him sat the lady who is now his wife. I glad of an opportunity to participate in this reception. Let me urge you to not let your love be first | ardent and then die away. Love him and he \ CTS, with his help souls will be gathered to \ Christ. Come and hear him to be refreshed. ! The subject of his teaching will be, come with us and we will do you good.
 President Porter, of Yale College, was next l introduced He said all the remarks that he would make could be summed up in single sentence, congratulation to church and pas
 tor. Wherever Christ is received, there the people gather spontaneously and form 8 | Christian church, and then spring up from | this hopes and joys that permeate many hearts and extend through all the relations of life. It is in this that all the characteristics | of the Christian church have been exemplifed. It is in your relation one to another pastor and people that large share of your duties lie. ! The church is the great power of good. The work of the Christian minister is good work and hope the new pastor will be sustained by ! his people in all the labors of his ministry. Addresses of similar Character were also made by Rev. Mir. Hanna, Prof. Harris of Yale College, Rev. Dr. Bacon, Rev. MT. Pen- | teeost and Rev. Dr. Sage of Hartford. The closing address WAS made by Rev. Dr. Den l nen of this city.
 Rev. Mir. Barrows gave out the closing hymn T Love Thy Kingdom, Lord," and after the | singing the exercises were closed with the benediction by the pastor, Rev. MT. Samson.