The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-05
ROBERT POLLOCK KERR.
Installation Ceremonies az the FfrsI
Presbyterian Church-sermOn by
Rev. DP. Moses ID. HOCe.

Presbyterian Church-sermOn by
Rev. DP. Moses ID. HOCe.
II was generally known that Rev. Robert
Z. Kerr, late pastor OF the Tabb-Street
Presbyterian church Of Petersburg, w0uld
be duly installed pastor of the First Pres
byterian church here Sunday night, and
that Rev. DR.. Moses ID. Hoge would preach
the installation sermon. DR.. HOge's repu-
tation as a pulpit orator and an eypounder
OF divine law, the interesting character OF
the exercises. and the love and respect in
which Mr.. Kerr Is held both In this city
and i'm Petersburg, caused n congregation
larger than the church could comfortably
accommodate to assemble. Good judges
estimated that nearly thousand people
were in the church.
DR.. Hoge's effort was worthy OF the oc-
casIon, worthy OF the breathless attention
OF the great crowd, and, better than all,
worthy of the great cause-greater than
all other ca,ises--in which his earnest la
bors and great talents have been enlisted
the cause OF Christ. His text was words
written by 81. Paul TO the Thessalonians,
For our Gospel came not unto you in
word only, but also In power and in the
Holy Ghost" With distinct, quiet, and
clear utterance, DIR. Hoge told OF the ApOs-
ties visit to Thessalonica--his body
bruised, beaten, and sore from recent
scourges received. He gave the reasons for
the selection Of TbessaloDica as the place
for the delivery of the great sermon by
the Apostle-it being commercial centre
and great radiating point. Then followed
a remarkable picture OF the effect and the
power OF the words let fall. 1t was
grand effort, and the word-painting was so
true, so effective in lis richness and simpli-
city, that the scenes were as vivid in the
minds eye as they would have been before
the physical eve il represented on canvas
by the hand OF n master painter. Many
were moved to tears, and notwithstanding
an hour was consumed in the delivery OF
the sermon. the congregation regretted the
fact when the last words OF the speaker
were heard.
Rev. DR.. Charles II. Read delivered the
charge to the church-briefly, but with
affectionate regard and solemn and impress
sive force.
Rev. Il. X. IowIson administered the
charge TO the new pastor, admOnishiDg
him 10 "prcach the word, be instant in
season and out OF season." and to "re-
prove, rebulle, and eyhort with all long
suffering and doctrine"
DR.. Hoge, as chairman OF the Committee
Of Installation appointed by Presbyte-
ry. invited Mr.. Kerr to dismiss the congre-
CATION with the benedictiOD, which he did.
MR.. KERR's INTRODUCTORY SERMON.
Mr.. Kerr preached his Introductory SER
mon at the First Presbyterian church sun
day morning.
After the usual preliminary services Mr.
Kerr announced as his text, "That might
by all means save some u. Cor, tx; Do
and spoke substantially rs follows:
my Friends,-I have accepted your
call as pastor, and have come to begin at
once my lab0rs among you. God grant
that nv coming to you may be in the ful-
ness OF the blessing of the Gospel OF
, Christ.
After preaching in the First Presbyte-
rian church OF Nashville last Sunday morn
! ing Christian lady came 10 me, and, with
trembling voice, said You are going tC
q the First church OF Richmond. When yoU
occupy the pulpit Of thai church you vii
be Standing on holy ground Many o
you understand why she uttered thos,
i words; for she had been privileged TO en-
10Y the services of one who for many year
ministered to you in holy things. You
y church has been signally blessed in it, pas
o tors. They have all been noble Christian
men and able ministers Of Christ. There
, fore | do feel to-day that in this pulpit
: stand on holy ground, and tremble under
sense OF the great responsibility which
rests upon me as Gods ambassador and
the successor of such illustrious men.
Brethren, from what know of myself
, say expect little Of me; but from what
, know OF the source OF strength, | say
expect great things from God. Expect
them, pray for them, and you shall have
them.
a "In nv preaching | shall endeayOr tC
set forth the truths Of the Bible according
to the definitions OF the confession OF faitl
Of our church. and in the administration ot
, government. together with the elders. tO
follow the principles Of the Divine word rs
they are elaborated and applied in the Book
: OF order. ] shall strive TO be the pastor CT
the whole church. paying equal attention
: to all, eXceptthe afflicted and The poor, who,
according to our constitution. mus: be the
special object OF the pastors care.
F, My duty Is expressed in the text that
by all means might save some
Paul was IN earnest man. He had no
time to make home and furnish it with
/, comforts. lie had no home but the world.
= Indeed so jealous was he that the Governor
OF Judea said he was beside himself. TIE
, reason Paul was 80 tremendously in earne, I
! was that he might by all means save
some
This implies that men are lost; else
, why attempt TO save them Men are lost.
, They are to be saved from hell Kind
, hearted men have tried TO prove there is nc
,, hell; but the attempt is failure. Hell is
as much reality as Heaven. We mus. az
cept the fact, and endeayOr TO 'SdCe' men
from ITS awful doom.
, But our work is not only TO save mer
from eternal punishment. 1t is also t.
save them from the dominion Of sin in thi'
life. Mankind are the gloves of sin. Il
holds some in bondage with the silken
bonds OF fashion. some by the golden fet'
ters Of wealth, others by the chains OF
lust. But men are all born into this world
: in bondage TO SIN. Our work is ito save
them from 1t. We are 10 be the instru'
(, ments Of their emancipation into the glO'
I, rious liberty OF the children OF God, whC
> can look TO Him who sitteth on the thron,
:, and say 'Our Father
. 1.-The instrument OF our work is th'
: Gospel. The appliances OF civilization
cannot make men Christians. A man ma!
. be civilized and not saved. The Gospel i
! the power OF God for mans moral regene
: ration. Ii seems simple and inadequate
|, but it is like sunbeam. which, though
: gentle, is able TO make up the forces OF na
: ture and set the seasons moving. But tn
!. Gospel is Intellectual without the presence
:, and power OF the Holy Ghost. He mus
appy il to mems hearts or il will fail OF IL
: mission. lie will do His work il the Cos
= pei Is preached and Christians pray.
= 1--WE have an agency in the work. w