Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-01-15

erly, IalIuS uaioLnSoSA. ~ NNAAS't
rainy weather is indicated.
TIE IsRAELIT1sH EvANGELIsT-Trinity
NJ. E. Church was crowded to its utmost
capacity last night by representatives of all
Observation-Disclosures Catholic and Pro-
testant-to listen to the sermon of Rev. W.
p. Bernhard, an Israelite by BIRTH but an
earnest disciple of Jesus Christ. The rev.
erend gentleman, according to the flesh, "
is undoubtedly "a Hebrew of the Hebrews, "
the national physiognomy which has run
through forty odd centuries being strlklnely
apparent in him. The novelty of beholdlpg
a descendant Of Abraham in the pulpit OF a
Christian church is rare hereabouts, though
in older countries Jewish Christians are Of
ten encountered, some, indeed, being regu.
larly constituted ministers, having large
CONGREGATIONS under their charge. In the
larger cities Of our own country believers in
Jesus Of Nazareth are occasionally found
among this people, in New York congre-
CATION of Hebrew Christians meet every
Sunday in the Cooper Institute. Christian
ity. however, it must be remembered, was
6rst preached by Jewish apostles. Its Au-
thor was an Israelite, as were ali His early
disciples, and it is believed by many who
make the prophetical part Of the Bible a
study that they are to be the missionaries of
the future. (See especially the last chapter
Of Isaiah.l When the descendants OF the
pstriarchs shall behold in their long neglect-
ed Messiah "him OF whoa Moses and the
prophets spake," what an aro1y OF courlerS
of the Gospel will be raised up as there is
not a hamlet OH the planet where sons OF
Jacob cannot be found. Mr.. Bernhard hrst
read part of tbs Sd chapter of philippians,
but said his text would be found in the
Psalms, "The Lord is my Shepherd" The
sneaker said he was born 10 Prussia OF jew
ish parents, his father dying when he was
very young. His mother who was strictly
an orthodox Jewess, went to considerable
pains and expense in educating her son III
the realities and traditions ot Judaism,
taught him to abhor the Nazarene and en-
Joined him never to read the New Tesla
ment. She also charged him to beware OF
strong drink, and make cruSades against
the LIQUOR traffic 80 long as he should live.
The preacher said he attended various uni-
yersities in Germany, studying, together
with other things, medicine At the out
break of the Frsucc-Prussian war Nj. b.
WAS eighteen years of age, and entering the
German army he participated in most OF the
battles which followed. He was presert at
the capitulation OF the French at Sedan, at
ter which he was appointed assistant man.
ager of hospital containing wounded
French soldiers. His early predictions
and preiudices, coupled with the rational J.
istic teachings of the professors OF the col
leves he had attended of course, at this
time had rendered him hostile to the claims
of Christianity. 1t was at this epoch, how.
ever. when, like many others before and
since, a simple incident threw him into
rsyerie, which eventually proved TO he the
turning point of his life, revoiutionlzing his
spiritual nature, and metamorphosiag him
from a scoffer at the doctrines OF the Cross
into one of their most Jealous advocates y
Frenchmau, terribly wounded, lad been
carried to the hospital, aud upon examlna-
ton IL was found that it was necessary to
perform au operation % the ouly chance OF
saving the patients life. The uni'rtuaate
map, filled with premonli'"n th"t ne
would die, begged, in such al event, thah
Mr.. Bernhard would notify his vile ana
little girl of the fact, in order that they
might come and take charge Of his remains
The soldier did die, and Mr.. B. notified the
widow, according to promise, and in short
time the sorrowiug woman and her little
girl arrived ut the hospital, where she was
shown the life|ess form OF her husband who
had surrendered his life endeavoring 10
avenge the alleged wounded honor OF his
country. The lady was much distressed,
went and bewailed the sad results of car
mage. and exclaimed, 80, God! what shall
we do now?" Her little girl, with much
emotion, however, attempted to console the
mother, and looking earnestly into her lace,
said. Don't forget, mother, we have Christ
vet" The speaker said the earneslness OF
that child was more convincing to his soul
than all the sermons, arguments and BOOKS
he had ever heard or read. The faith so
unostentatiously displayed caused Mr. B. to
ask himself if there was not reality Id the
Christian religion, and the more be read its
claims and meditated the lirmer his belief
became that there was. Subsequently he
ayowed himsefa believer in the Crucihed
One, from which period he has devoted his
time and talents toward building up the
Redeemer's kingdom. AS most jewish con-
yerts, the speaker has had to forfeit every
family tie for the sake of his belief, his own
mother, dearly as she loved him, after met
fectually endeavoring to argue her son OUT
of his convictions, describing him. The
preacher spoke feelingy of his mother, sep.
arated from her, as he is, by thousands OF
miles, and prayed daily that God would yet
bring her to acknowledge her Redeemer.
Mr.. Bernhard came to this country some
wears ago, anu LOOh uP ulo lOoioN NV -. N1S
West. He once lived in Gan Fran.
cisco, and for some time has been engaged
in preaching and delivering temperance lee
lures His delivery, considering the com
paratiyely short time he has resided among
glish.speaking people, is passable, though
attention is required to keep the thread OF
the speakers discourse. Being temper
ance lecturer as well as preacher, the pro-
pensity to recite anecdotes and make hu-
morous illusions is apparent when in the
pulpit. Mr.. B. preached this afternoon at
O'Clock in the same church, and will be
there again to night.
FIRE.-Flames were discovered shortly
before four o'clock this morning issuing
from the building on the northwestern cor
ner of Royal aud Cameron streets, owned
and occupied by Messrs. Harlow Bros,
grocers and commission merchants. An
alarm was at once sounded and the tire
department quickly responded to the call
and through its prompt action and untir-