Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-09-22
THE INSTALLATION
OF Br. Martin as Pastor of the Alabama
Street Church.
Services of an Interesting Character on
the Occasion.

shAO OCCa5AOA.
On the corner of Alabama street and
Jones avenue stands the youngest, but
one, of the Presbyterian churches in this
city. 1t is cozy and comfoi table, and has
good seating capacity. Near it are some
of the most beautiful homes in Memphis.
In its membership are some OF the excel
lent of the earth. Its first minister Yves
the venerable DR.. J. o. Stedman, who died
in the spring of 1882. Rev. E. E. Bigger,
now Of Augusta, KY, supplied the pulpit
for year. After him came Rev. William
johnson. This laboTious and devoted
young brother died within year after en-
tering upon his duties as pastor. In the
autumn Of 1888 DIR. Darnsll was called to
the psstorate, but declining health soon
forced him to ask for release from his
work. On the first Sabbath of last June
the church made out unanimous call for
the pastoral services of the Rev. DR.. J. L.
Sabbath OF July he began his
labors. Last Sunday night the pres
bytery of Memphis, by its commits
son, formally installed him pastor of the
church. The commission consisted of
DIs. Boggs, Daniel and Richardson, with
Ruling Elder Darlington Mason. The
house was filled with representatives from
the various Presbyterian churches of the
city. DR.. Boggs OF the Second Presby-
terian church preached the sermon and
presided. DR.. Daniel propounded the
constitutional questions to the pastor and
the people and delivered the charge to
the pastor. DIR. Richardson delivered the
charge to the people. The services were
opened by the reading of the thirty-third
chapter of Ezekiel. The congregation
then sany the hymn:
"'Tis not a cause of small import
The pastors care demands,
But what might fill an angels heart
And filled a oavior's hands"
After a prayer DIR. Boggs preached a
sermon from the text, $50 thou, o son of
man, l have set thee watchman unto the
house of Israel therefore thou shalt hear
the word at My mouth and warn them
from Me-" Ezekiel xxxiii, Z.
The figure here used" said DR.. Boggs,
lis taken from stern war. The watchman
or sentinel who is found asleep is shot to
death-some of you may have seen this in
the late war;" After brief introduction
the speaker proceeded to the exposition of
his text.
l. Let me emphasize the statement, az
have set thee a watchman." God has not
only appointed the office, but hes ap-
pointed the man to the Office. Moses and
Ezekiel and jeremiah received an unmis-
taxable call. There was a supe! natural
call. Moses saw the burning bush. Peter
and John and the other apostles received
their calls from the lips of Jesus Himself
Men are called to preach to-day and
have as clear evidence of their call as if
supernatural. They exhibit the gifts and
qualifications for the ministry. When our
Lord ascended ON high He led captivity
captive and gave gifts unto men; land He
gave some apostles, and some prophets,
and some evangelists, and some pastors
and teachers, for the perfecting of the
saints, for the work of the ministry, for
the edifying OF the body of Christ"
2. The preachers must preach the word
of God. "Thou shalt hear the word of God
at My mouth" He is not to preach
science; he is not to preach on civil gov
eminent or secular themes; he is to
preach the word.
3. We see the responsibility Of him who
breaches and of those who hear. "Warn
them for Me-
DR.. Daniel delivered the charge 10 the
pastor. He charged him:
l. Preach the word of God. o. Preach
it studiously. (2) Preach it earnestly
(3) Preach it comprehensively "a
(5) Preach it from the pulpit and by the
fireside.
2. "In the second place, I charge you,"
said the speaker, ''to do pastoral work as
well as preach" How varied the duties
of a pastor-warn the young, tell the
middle-sged "set not your affections on
things on the earth" pr syby the bedside
of the sick and the afflicted, eta. The
preacher is not to 'lord it over Gods
heritage" nor is Gods heritage to ''lord it
over" the preacher.
DR.. Richardson delivered the charge to
the people. Alluding to the discourses of
Drs. Boggs and D4niel, he said, "Eyery
man at The beginning doth set forth good
that which is worse" $780," said he,
1--WE hsye tonight had SO much of the
good there ig 80 need that We have the
worse" He then urged upon the people
to encourage tn ir pastor, search tbs Scrip
lures, as did the Bereans of old, attend The
Wednesday night prayer-meeting, etc.
A young hopeful asked his paternal an
cestor, 'Pa, what do they do when they
install preacher? Do they put him in a
stall and feed him? ?" "No, son, they put
him in the harness and make him
pull" But it is EroGG to make
the preacher do all the pulling. The
people ought to help.
After these very interesting exercises o
large number of people, members of the
Alabama Street aud other churches, came
forward and shook hands with the new
psstor, giving him a cordial welcome. This
church hes entered upon new era Of
prosperity, and the people are encouraged
with their bright prospects. All the Pres
byterian churches of the city are now
equipped for efficient work. DIR. Martin is
an able preacher and very aggressive
worker.