Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-11-28
RELIGIOUS WORK.
DIR. Dana's Eloquent Discourse at Ply
mouth Church-Dedicatory Services at
DAYTON Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Plymouth Church.

Plymouth Church.
The sermon yesterday morning of DR.. Dana,
pastor of Plymouth church, perhaps 1t is not
too much to say, was one of exceptional prac-
ticalness, touching and tender IN its admoni-
tory precepts; searching and pointed in its
incubation of sense of personal responsible
tiles growing out of the various relations of
life; and affluent in its presentation of encour-
agement to cope manfully with life's disabili-
ties, and to struggle against dependency and
melancholy, by witnessing the glare and halo
of success surrounding Others; while ones
self plods on in comparative obscurity and ne
elect. His text was taken from Mathew WIS.
The call of Jesus as he walked by the sea OF
Galilee 10 the two brothers; Simon called
Peter, and Andrew, whom he introduced into
new life and into a new field of activity.
And though Peter became one of the
great historic characters of the new tes-
lament, while Andrew kept COM
paratively in the background, who can say
that the humber mission of the latter was
not as acceptable in the sight of God as the
more conspicuous action of his more promi-
nent brother. Self-forgetfulness in Christian
innate; and the Lord just as much appreciates
the lowly doer as he does the more conspicu-
Gus work of the one who receives the worlds
popular acclaim. In the solemn procession
that bore the remains OF our late lamented
president to the tomb, was silent mourner,
unknown to fame, but whose early ministra-
tons helped to lay the foundation of the char
acter and success of the deceased statesman.
It was his elder brother, Thomas Garfield.
I'll oil ant
James might never have reached his
high attainments; and in the divine
records, the one may be as conspicuous for
what the world would call his minor useful
ness as the other for its greater scope.
And then with what encouraging satisfac-
ton may tired mothers struggle on with their
work IN rearing their offspring to fill places
of usefulness and honor in the world. What
did not James A. Garfield owe to his devoted
mother? She was, indeed, the sculptor of the
great character whose tragic death filled the
nation with tears and the world with sorrow.
She was The candlestick, so to speak, on
which was set a great light, and without that
candlestlck the Illuminating rays of the great
light would not have filled the world with
light. Will not that humble support be
recognized, as of equal value with the lightit-
self in making up the value, efficiency and USE
fulness of human endeavOr? The Roman
mother of the Gracchi could not point with
more pride to her jewels, than may the moth
er of James A. Garfield, justly point to hers.
The stately granite pillar that points heav-
onward has for its foundation beneath the
ground the impregnable granite block, as the
foundation of the noble superstructure, and
without this foundation store, though hidden
from the sight of men, the grand monument
could not stand. Thus the obscure is as es-
sential and important as the conspicuous, and
though not in the sight of men, yet, in the
just award off the divine balance, the one is
esteemed as of equal value with the other.
The preacher then earnestly exhorted the
humble toiler in earths laborious duties, not
to despond-not to yield to discouragement as
though his labors were in vain. The greatest
influence to bless the world often springs
from the obscure. Be not weary, then, in
we'll doing. Though earthly fame may not
come, heavenly blessings will. Raise up well
spent Christian life in works of benefcence,
and the reward will at sleugth come in the
many mansions which the Saviour has gone
to prepare for his own.
Let the employer stretch out the hand of
cordial greeting to the toiling en-
p0ye feeling that they os are equals
word of encouragement may thus fire q great
soul to endeavors that may yet command the
worlds applause. The one working at, our
side may be nascent hero, destined to great
achievements as the years accumulate. Be not
spareing then in personal endeavors. En-
courage the respondent, nor yield to blight
ing, destructive feelings of despair. If. how
ever, fame or wealth come in the way OF we'll
doing, accept all with gratitude to the ALL
Oliver. If these things are withheld, still
press onward and upward, assured, at last, of
a more enduring substance.
This is but meager sketch of one of the
gifted preachers most happy efforts, delivered
extemporaneously from a few brief heads.
The discourse bristled at every point with
practical suggestions, and was calculated to
and trust, and to encourage the sad and down
hearted, and to fill the minds of his hearers
with thoughts and topics for valuable redec-
ton.