National Republican., 1880-11-01
MTHE GREAT ELECTION.n
The Attractive Heading which Rev. MIR.
Power Put on n Doctrinal Sermon.

VIZ Oh " DOchFibhi ocThVus
The Yermont.aveuuo christian church, the
only sanctuary In Washington Of the denom-
lnation Of which General Garfield is a mem
Der, had large audience last night to listen
to tho sermon Of the pastor, Rev. +. ID. Power,
on The Great Election"
General Garfield has taken much interest 10
this church and In various ways contributed
materially to its support, not only pecuni'
arily, but otherwise until the church and con.
gregation are In hourishing condition. Much
OF the prosperity tho major portion, In fact
is duo 10 the zeal and faith of the congregation
and to the signal ability of tho pastor, but not
q little Of 1t is the direct result of General
Gnrfed's efforts. Tho interest he takes IN
this church being known, thero was conse-
quently some interest felt outside the congre'
CATION to hear DIR. Power preach upon the
themo above named IL being thought ho
would refer TO tho great "Campbellitc," and
II being n forcgone conclusion that the church
naturally entertained u wish for tho election
as president of the ablost and most prominent
member of tho denomination Of which IL Is
tho only organized representative in Wash
ngton.
DR.. Powers sermon was sbascd on the second
verse of chapter 1 of First Epistle of Pofer;
Elect according to the foreknowcdgo of God
the Father, through orii1Cation of the spirit
unto obedience and sprnklng OF tho blood OF
Jesus Christ" He said tho country was on
tho eve Of an election, which absorbed every
energy aud attracted every thought of the
people. Principles had been thoroughly can
vassed, tons Of printed matter on ono or the
other side had been scattered broadcast
through tho land, tho lofticst brains of the
nation had been actively engaged in the con.
test, and now the country waited in expect
aucy the declared result But II was of n
greater election of that which ho called THE
Great Election" would lie speak. It was of as
Il 4 -. gl..N Ns.l
election through which we are passing, as the
soul was moro important than tho body.
1t was the election of tho human soul from
tho damnaton of sin to the salvation of
Christ. Tho speaker went OH to say that
while God has predcstined TO eternal salvation
those who come to him, he has also predes.
tined that man must elect of his own will to
be saved. There was 10 conflict in this doc.
trine. God from tho foundation of the world
Of his own knowledge had predestned the
election TO salvation of every soul that of its
own free will complied with certain condi.
tions imposed. There was this analogy bo
tween Gods plan of election TO salvation and
the plan adopted iu the election of our coun'
| try's president that the plan of procedure in
either case was laid down with absolute clear.
ness-tho one on tho statutcbook of God, the
bible; the other on tho statutebook of the Amer
lean constitutions and in either case the election
to bc valid must be iu conformity with legal
| requirements. Gods legal requirements for u
valid election were well known, were laid
down in tho bible, and no candidate for
eternal salvation could be elected thereto IL
he did not observe each one of these require
| ments.
Dr. Powers sermon was an able, orthodox
one, displaying not little ingenuity in the
manner In which he showed the truth of the
doctrine of predestlnation rs wholly con-
sistcnt with mans free will.
Next Sunday DIR. Power will commence n
series of sermons OH tho distinctive teachings
of the people known as Disciples Of Christ"
OF christians"