Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-22
CONVEYING THE SYNOD.
REV. H. NJ. AMI RSON PREACHES
THE OPENING SERMON.

Very Few Delegates Prese7t AT the SEES
sion L 'ss Nlgar-Che Synod to be or
Eenixed This a5orninR. and Two ses-
sions TO he Held TO- Day--TmPogtsnt
Matters 10 be Coueiderc6.
Very few delegates were present AZ tne
6rst session Of the Synod OF South Geor-
ria and Florida last night.
The services Ia the Independent Proshy-
fsrian church attracted many of the mem
hers OF the First csbyteriau church. aud
the audience was small. Contrary TO ex-
peetation, Rev, II. NJ. Anderson, the re-
firing Moderator, was present and deiiV-
cred the on ning sermon. The 18th chap
tey Of MattheW was read for the evening
lesson. and the last three verses OF the
same chapter were taken for tue text
tne sermon. THE beautiful. words, Come
unto me all We tBat labor and are heavy
laden are ecOrded only in the gospel ~
Matthew said the preacher.
''fhe popular taste OF the present daY u
for smooth things, and the people wish The
preachers TO avoid narrowing thoughts or
suggestions and send them away in
quiet mood. Jesus often spoke Of wrath
and judgment, but He does not delight in
wrath, aud does not rejoice IN cOndemna-
fion. With Him mercy seems TO triumph
over wrath.
'sThe words and works Of men will not
bear close scrutiny. Take the finest
sword. blade. examine it under micro
scope. and the edge will be found rough.
Examine fy's eve under glass Of tele-
scopic power, and IL will be found smooth
and perfect. The words of God are all
the brighter, seen through the telescope
power OF faith.
The young man OF Galilee who gives
IA 10
most wonderful claims 10 free men from
everything that makes men sad. lie knew
the needs and felt Tue heplessness and
sorrow OF men. for He was tempted IN ali
4hings like a. we are but was without sin.
BeeAuse He claimed to be Of the true God,
tls jews took up stones against Him
SYou hold up before Him the catalogue
~ the siDs Of which you have been guilty..
ard lie with His own blood blots them
out"
IN concluding the moderator said:
Ministers are the ambassadors OF Christ.
We are here 10 deliver messages from
Him. Christ breaches through the
preachers. You have been accustomed
10 think that tIs our business to talk, and
yours n come to church and sit decor
ousy through the sermons. | think the
power Of a sermon depends more upon
fhe hearers than upon the preacher"
The stated clerk of the synod, Rev. Mr..
Dodge. not being present, the body ad-
i0urned Immediately after it was pro-
nOunced open by the retiring moderator
This morning the body will meet at 8
O'Clock. y hen a moderator will be elected
and other business will be transacted. A
business meeting will also be held in the
afternoon. but there win be no meeting al
night on account Of the Muuhail meeting
TIE delegates present last night Were
Rev. II. NJ. Anderson, Florida; Rev. Mr.
Crane. Florida; Rev. 4. b. Curry, Gaines
VILE; Rev. Mr.. Rogan, pastor OF the FRS
Presbyterian church, Savannah; Rev. MIR
Bradshaw, Darien; Rev. j. w. Montgom-
ery. Walthourville; Rev. Luther Link, D.
cstur county; Rev. j. B. Herkimer,
Thomasville, and Rev. j. W. Kerr, Y al
dngta