Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-11-03
the GOSPEL or PEACE
As Preached in the Wheeling
Churches, Yesterday
Was Not a Gospel Of POlities---PoweTtta
SeruOa by Dr.. Cunningham Of
TIE Fist Presbyterian
Church.

bv an imprudent remark made BY an m
pcnt Presbyterian divine of New York city,
Dr.. Burchard, while engaged in the ceremo-
NAL presentation address OF some Of the Cos
rel ministers ofthat city to Mr.. Blaine, the
churches not only in the Eastern States but
in the Western as we'll and in all intermedi-
ate cities and towns and villages wherever
chGrches of Protestant and Catholic faith
exist, were crowded yesterday with eager
audiences to hear what the ministers Of the
gospel of peace would have to say about
the political situation OF the country. In
our city Of twenty-five churches the gospel
was preached and not politics, and those
who went expecting to hear party polit-
zeal sermon went home Disappointed
in that respect. The pulpits of our. staid
old city were not contaminated BY tha
preaching of political ~harangueS yesterday,
and We take great pleasure in commenting
the noble and Christian example set by
Wheeling ministers and churches, to New
York and other cities in the Union. In the
First Presbyterian church, the pastor, Rev
David Cunningham, D. d., preached one of
the greatest sermons of his life in behalf OF
Home Missions. Yesterday was the annual
collection day in the Presbyterian churches
throughout the United States. in behalf OF
this cause. He preached from the book of
EcclesiaSticus, Give unto seven, and with
hold not from eight.
His line of argument was founded almost
exclusively on mans duty to God in the
division and distribution of his earthly
goods. UEder the Jewish dispensation.
tithes, or one-tenth of everything, was by
ordinance. set apart tor the Lord, or the
PURPOSES Of his church. This ordinance
was in force up TO the advent Of the Chris
tian diSpersatIon, when the tith system
ceased, and the voluntary system of sus-
tanning and spreading the gospel rs now
practiced. became q fixed mode OF collect
.ug revenues for gospel purposes. During
the past year, said DR.. Cunningham.
nearly $500 bDO were raised in
money. and other contributions for the
lone Missionary Board. Hundreds Of
ministers we've empIoscd in all the States
aud Territories in preaching the Gospel OF
rtaCc AID spreading and building up our
glorious Christian civilization. They were
earnestly engaged in cas,in, bread upon he
,.r,u'ent waters Of the world that will some
GaY re,=rn unto them. and the Church, fall
Cs glorious sounds. Mans duty to contrib
L'c according to his means, to the support
e he Gcspel everywhere, whether IN Wild
missionary feil$ II in serth.I; civilized,
Christian communities. Vas W;sda obligatory
upon him by the blessings God at all times
was 5eStowiag upon him. \ 1.-THE Of the
igv;,s OF these manifold blessings was = poor
sud an ungrateful return to God as an
equivalent :or them.
Gods blessing aiways followed a cheer
Gl giyer, and prosperity crowned his eEorts
in this world in all OF his secular employ
meGts. Millions mad been given BY the
sick Cor the support aud spread Of the COS.
uei; but. by lar the greater portion came
from those who had not much to give, yet,
Of their substance, they gave literally. How
much honest, thou. my God? This qaes
ton addresses itself 10 every man able to
give ANYTHING 10 the treasury Of the Lord,
sid the minister. Every man will have to
give al account OF bis stewardship a. the
great Judgment bay. .Ard those who have
gained ten, those who have gained five,
ard those who have buried their talents
will alike have TO reader up IN account
&C this earthly goods to him, who gave
them to them for improvement and use. To
show how Gods blessings had followed a
roor hov, but who afterwards became a
millionaire, he said Many years ago, in
one Of our eastern towns. q little boy had to
leave home because Of the poverty OF his
parents and seek employment wherever he
could find it. Before he had gotten far
from. his fathers door. he fell in with a
canal BOAT captain. who asked him where
be was going, and whether he had a trade.
The homeless GOV told him his SIMPLE, true
sad story. The old captain said, William,
Gene. let us kneel down on this tOwpath
and pray, and then, | will give you my
adyiye.
They prayed, and after that memorable
PRAYER, the old Captain said: Always do
right and God will bless you. Always give
a full pound Of soap, (the boy was a soap
and candle maker by trade and give
whatever YOU can Of your earnings to God.
They parted, the boy going to New York,
where. after many struggles and harjShips,
lie at last got employment. OF his first
cellar he gave ten cents, and as he pros.
rlred h. increased to twenty. thirty. forty
and th,a to GGy,. or one half
o; his earnings. He kept two
5cohS Of accounts in his Office;
ore fer God and one for his fellow men
pcfprp his Death h. provided hy his will
that all Cf his immense estate should 20 into
the treasury Of the Lord, and the provisions
Of the will were faithfully executed, as re-
QueSted bg this Christian man Of God.
How many business men in this city keep
two books of accounts; one for God and
for their fellow men, asked DIR. Cumming
ham? The eloquence and earnestness with
which this sermon was delivered, seldom, it
ever had its parallel in a Wheeling pulpit.