Morning journal and courier., 1886-06-03
ORDINATION EXERCISES.

SO Say a Council of MInisters-The
Ordination Services at the United
Church Last EvenIns-Mr. and MIS-.
ebbIns Sing.
In accordance with letters missive sent to
churches in this city and vicinity, an ecclesi-
astical council was held in the chapel of the
United church on Temple street yesterday
afternoon for the examination of John G.
Collins for the ministry. Mr.. Collins has
labored in this city for number of years as
an evangelist, with English Hall as his rally
ing place for evaDgelistic work; and while
his work has been effective, it was thought
that it might be made more so, perhaps, If
Mr.. Collins was aregularly ordained minister.
Among the delegates to the council were
Rev. Mr.. Bray, Rev. Dr. Barbour, President
Taylor of Hartford, Rev. Mr.. Mulch of the
Howard Avenue Congregational church,
Deacon Henry Hale of the Church of the Re-
deemer Rev. DR.. Munger and Dew. DR.. Sam
uel Harris; also Thomas R. Trowbridge, jr.,
George R. Cham berlain, Rev. Newman Smyth,
Rev I. G. Meserve and a number of others.
Rev. DR.. Barbour was chosen moderator
and Rev. Mr.. Mulch scribe.
After the usual questions regarding the
religious views and beliefs of Mr.. Collins the
council went into executive session and voted
unanimously to ordain the candidate.
tAe1CS ~
the United church last evening in the pres
ence of quite large number of the clergy
and members of the various churches in this
city. On the communion table was placed a
profusion of flowers principally in the form
of bouquets.
The exercises opened with an organ volun-
tary, followed by an anthem by the choir.
The minutes of the council were then read
by the scribe, which showed that the exam
nation was satisfactory and that the council
had voted to ordain Mr.. Collins to the Office
of the ministry. Following the reading
prayer of invocation was offered
by President Porter of Yale college
The scripture lesson was then read
by Rev. DIR. Munger, after which President
Franklin Carter, of Williams college deliv-
cred the ordination sermon. The discourse,
which was a very able one, was based on the
words found in Matthew, 9th chapter, 18th,
Goth ard 21st verses; Lay not up for your
selves treasures upon earth, etc. The prln-
cipal points in the sermon were these: The
permanence of heavenly treasures is fixed by
our Lord. Giving cup of cold water in
the name of the Lord, feeding the hungry
and clothing the naked in his name was lay
ing up treasure in heaven. To gain
heavenly treasure is no easy thing, but to
gain earthly treasure is a simple thing. The
heavenly treasure that the master speaks of
is not easy to comprehend then how much
more difficult the reality, He who works
for the redemption of the poor and outcast
is laying up treasure in heaven. The differ
ence in the treasure marks the difference in
the man. Men write their names
in the sand and the ocean tide moves
up and washes it away. While
whole sense of his nature. We may say OF
many man that doing good is his whole
passion, and it is such men that are laying
up treasures in heaven. To him who believes
in Jesus there is the most comforting assur-
ance in our text. For the heavenly treasure
there is no fear; it will always be kept to
the Christians credit. The text involves the
law of love and this work our brother who
is to be ordained tonight is engaged in.
There is room enough in this city for many
evangelists and these are worth more to
Gods kingdom than richly endowed churches
man to pay heavily for pew in his church,
but it also may be we'll for
him to look around and see the
poor and needy who are perishing
for the truth. In former years I have wit
messed the earnestness of our young brother
in his deep interest to save the fallen. May
God bless him and give him wisdom and
patience for his work and may very many
through his fundamentally be brought
to lay up their treasures in the kingdom of
heaven.
At the conclusion of President Carter's
sermon Mr.. and Mrs. George G. Stebbins
sang in most effective manner duet enti-
tied ''None For Self" Then followed the
ordination prayer by Rev. Samuel Harris,
D. D., during which the form of 'slaying on
of hands" on the head of the person to be
ordained was observed by the person offer
ing the prayer and other clergy on the plat
form.
On the conclusion of the prayer Mr.. and
Mrs. Stebbins again sang selection entitled
81 Cannot Do Without Thee"
The charge to the pastor by Rev. Graham
Taylor of Hartford followed, and was in sub
stance as follows: My brother, on behalf of
these churches and these people to whom You
consecrate your life let me say few words.
Be loyal to the title that is this night con-
ferred upon you. No other work tells SO
well and none is more connected with Christ's
work than that of an evangelist. Again,
magnify your Office. By all you would do
for men, for God, magnify your Office. AS
matter of fact the church has always been
dependent on the evangelistic Office. When
the church has had evangelistic use
for her faith she has not grown. Evangel-
ism and nurture seem dependent on each
other. We must Christianize or we must be
The pulse of the church is at
her e1tremities you have felt it. Magnify
your Office for its churchly relations. The
churches need evangelists forsour local timer
ant population. The time is at hand when
our churches will feel the need of an evan
gelist in each one of them. You may magni-
fly your Office by the study of the churchs
literature. After the study of the writings
of the apostles, study the life of Chalmers.
Study the McAll mission, watch current lit
erature also Study the evangelistic work
in the foreign element. There is better
school to study the evils of intemperance
than in evangelistic work. Remember that
however much a mans surroundings need
that the man needs mending more.
Again, do the work of evangelist.
Be personal friend of those who
are fairly languishing for friends Use the
home for an evangelistie agency. Go where
men are if they won't come where you are.
Let US believe in God. There is nothing to
take the place of the church in this world.
God ordains US, my brethren, to carry on
the work that this brother is only ordained
to begin.
The fright hand of fellowship" was by
gregational church, who spoke in substance
as follows: 1 don't know why should have
been selected to extend to you the right hand
IF fellowship, although it is pleasure for
ne to do SO. We gladly welcome you to the
work of an evangelist in this city. We we'll
you have shown your adaptation for the work |
you called upon to perform. In behalf |
If the churches, in behalf of the council, in |
behalf of every evangelist preacher in this |
;ity I extend to you the right hand of fell |
owship and bid you Godspeed.
The closing address was by Professor |
-.add, who said: 1t is customary on such |
IN occasion as this to deliver a charge to the |
people, but on this occasion we substitute a |
orief address, commenting the work of our
brother to the Christian people of New Ha- |
haven. 1t sometimes seems to as though |
had been taken from |
ne pith and power of the
gospel This work of evangelizing that is |
@ go on among this people, is the work of |
he church. The church has sometimes stood |
lloof from the evangelists work and some |
lines the evangelist has stood aloof from the |
church. Now an evangelist goes forth to
work for Christ and his church, and there is |
10 reason why both should not work in har- |
nony. 1t is Christ's church work. The |
great problem in New England to day in my |
opinion is the work of evangelizing. I feel |
,erv confident that there is no place |
where there is more need for evangelistic |
work than right here in grand old New En- |
and, among the multitudes who gather in /
he cities. I believe in the feasibility of this |
work. and regard this brother as your agent. /
Is we love the welfare of New England let |
IS feel that this work is part of this great |
'roblem that is being worked out. most
arnestly commend the work of this brother /
o the churches in this city.