Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-08-26
Installation of Rev. H. III. HAYES: DID,
as Pastor of the 2nd PresDytefia
Church.
Local Department..

On last Sabbath evening Rev. II. b. Halves,
nm wos formally installed as Pastor OF the
2nd PRESBYTERIAN Church of Staunton. The
Sermon and constitutional questions, and
charge TO the congregation, were delivered
by Rev. L. B. Johnston, Pastor of Hebron
Church and the charge to the Pastor was de-
ivered by Rev. ]. P. Strider, DID,, Pastor of the
First Presby terian Church of Staunton. The
sermon and both Of the charges were not only
appropriate to the occasion, but were more
than usually impressive. being marked with
ability and delivered in earnest and eloquent
style.
The text of the sermon was Ezekiel III: IL
''Son of man, 1 have made thee Waterman
unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the
words at my mouth. and give them warning
from me-"
The Pastor is a watchman, appointed of God,
to guard the camp of Israel. and to give warn
Ing of danger and it is the duty Of the soldiers
in the camp to heed the warning he may give.
He is not chosen because of his ability. eo-
quence or personal popularity, but because OF
his fidelity.
Rev Mr.. Strider, in an impressive manner,
after describing the important and tender rela-
ton how established between the pastor and
his congregation, charged him with earnestness
to preserve his body. the temple Of his soul; to
take care OF his health to use to the best ad-
vantage the intellectual faculties with which
he is endowed; to cultivate his spirit; to deliv-
er the message of God with boldness; to take
tender care of his flock; TO appreciate the re-
sponsibility of his office. &c.
In his charge to the congregation. Rev. Mr.
Johnston told them their first duty was
to make their Pastor "welcome''-to make
him feel that it was "welp' that he had
to their homes. and to their heartsAt should
be full, free. and cordial welcome. They owed
him daties as preacher pastor, and man. As
their Preacher. it was their duty TO go to.hear
him preach. They should go whenever they
could, and not to think that it would make no
difference If one should be missed. he knew
that the rain was wetter, the sun was warmer,
and the weather colder on Sunday than on
other days, but that should not prevent them
from going to hear their preacher. They should
listen to what he says-not listlessness, nor
respectfully merely. as good manners would
require, but differentiaily and reverentially as
unto the ambassador Of God.
AS their Pastor, twas their duty to treat him
"a such-and when he called to see them at
their homes. It was their duty to give him an
opportunity TO speak of spiritual things. 1t
was their PASTORS duty to say some uncomfor-
table things-to speak boldly Of evils-as of the
liqnor traffic, and of keeping the Sabbath
day holy-and If they had any criticism to
make, 1t should be made to him, and not to
others-never say any thing of him that they
were not willing to say 10 him; and If they
could not speak favorably of him. not TO speak
at all.
1t was their duty to pay his salary prompt
ly. 1t was a common, but very great mistake
to consider what was paid the minister was
charity. The minister is not ah ecclesiastical
tramp"-he earns his salary, and he is entitled
to receive it punctually. He should not be
made unable to pay his debts contracted on the
faith of the money promised him, and be made
to feel that he was scarcely an honest man, as
he made debts which he was unable to pay in
consequence of his failure to get what was
promised him. The obligation t. pay the
minister what was due him was as great as the
obligation to pay the grocery-man his bill for
family supplies