The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-08-09

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There was roar of laughter which
made the rafters of the saw mill ring,
and all Joined in it except Jim.
mot by Works of Righteous
ness"
A few years since the late DR.. Richard
Fuller, Of Baltimore was spending the
summer in the neig hborhood of my church.
and, on my invitation, preached for me
several Sabbaths. His preaching drew
together large congregations from the
different denominations, and was greatly
enjoyed by all.
In the course of one of his sermons he
touched upon the tendency among some
to exalt, unduly, denominational pecu-
liarlties, and said that some peoples
highest conception Of the felicity of heav-
en- seemed to be the anticipation of hav-
ing their favorite view indicated, when
all truth shall be known, and of being
able to say 1 told you So to those with
whom they had had doctrinal disputes
while on earth. He then drew from i'm
aglnatlon very amusing picture of the
way In which extreme sectarians may be
supposed to appear on entering heaven.
Here comes Baptist" he said, "and
catching sight of the pure river of water
of life, he exclaims, Just as I expected
this is provided expressly for the purpose
OF baptizing those persons who were so
stubborn and refractory that they would
not submit to it while on earth And
next comes a Methodist, who, on hearing
the music of the singers and the harp
lngs OF the harpers, says, Yes, told you
so ; it is Methodist camp-meeting, only
on larger scale Then comes an Epis-
copalian, and when something is said
about Book, Oh, yes, prayer-book
'boundin Turkey morocco, with gilt clasps,
there's one. And next an Old School
and New School Presbyterian appear,
walking side by side and disputing fusti-
ly. One says, say it is propensityto
SIN. No, says the other it is q SIN
jul propensity; appeal to Peter if 1 am
not right. ;"
The passage as may be imagined, pro-
duced no little merriment among the CON
gregation, and being deeply anxious for
serious impressions, was quite inclined
to regret its introduction.
The next day DIR. Fuller showed me a
letter he had just received, in which the
writer said, substantially, am a Uni
tartan. Heard you preach on Sabbath,
with great pleasure but was surprised
that In your enumeration of the sects in
heaven, you made no mention OF Unita-
rians. Did you mean to imply that they
will not be found there ?" To this note
DR.: Fuller replied by saying that if the
writer would come to the church on the
following Sabbath he would answer the
question.
The next Sabbath, in the midst of very
tender and powerful presentation of the
work of Christ as the ground of our sal
walton, he paused, and abiding to the
letter and the promise which he had
given, said, will complete the picture
which | introduced last Sabbath have
many honored and beloved friends among
the Unitarians. Let me imagine one Of
them coming with me within the gates
Of glory. The first sound that strikes
his ear is the language of the new song
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain A
little bewildered, he turns in another
direction, and listens, when this stanza
greets him" Unto him that loved us,
and washed us from our sins in his own
blood. And from still another direction
he hears Blessing and honor, glory and
power, be unto him that stitch on the
throne, and to the Lamb forever Quite
surprised, he turns to me, and says,
Why brother Fuller, there does not
seem to be any recognition Of our good
works here. have been a very moral,
and upright, and benevolent man, and I
expected to find some notice taken of
what have done when I have reached
heaven. Well, see I have been mis-
taken, and, a1 isn't too late, I think I
had better take off my crown with the
rest and cast it at Jesus feet" And
then DR.. Fuller went on in such asolemn
and eloquent strain upon the utter
inadequacy Of anything but the blood Of
Christ to furnish one admittapce to heav-
en-, that it seems if ever humor was turned
to good account in setting off, by con-
trast, grave and solemn truths, it had
been on that day - Watchword.