Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-21
OTHER LOCAL NEWS.
rHx "eooD coEYzssIOI" A SUNDAY
rHxKI.


| Cluverius his acts and utterances have
been watched with an earnest scrutiny
which his stout reticence has not been able
TO prevent. 1t seems that even when he
enters the pulpit curiosity pursues him,
and seeks to extract from bis sermons some
hint as to bis opinions OF the prisoner.
The rumOr was abroad yesterday that he
had preached sermon on sunday night
which had unquestiOnable reference TO the
case Of the condemned man.
II Is not for the Dispatch to put any such
construction on the sermon. The Doctor
theme vas the "GOod Confession which
Christ witnessed before Pontius PLATE. lie
showed the trutbfulness and intrepldity OF
Jesus y hen confronted by the Roman Gov
crnor, and held forth His bearing in q mo-
meni Of peril a. an example for men. This
led him into discussion OF the Christian
doctrine Of confession. He dwclt on the
value Of confession IN it, relations TO our
acceptance with God and oIu final saliva.
ton.
In the next place he stated what be re- 1
gsrded q essential 10 an adequate and ac-
ceptabIe confession. maintaining that il in
cluded the double iJea OF an acknowledg-
meni 81 sin and q hesrty recognition OF
ytsus Christ As the only Saviour OF men.
Confessions sHoULD BIZ CANDID.
In the closing division Of his sermon he
discussed the spirit IN which the confession
must be made. Tie made two remarks on
this point, which to not few seemed
significant lie emphasized the fact that
o confession could have no possible value
thst was not thoroughly candid. He said
that men might take their sins into the
closet and confess them TO God, but that
II the motive for their privacy was an IN
willingness 10 confess them before m n
they need not hope for pardon. He said |
that il was q delusion for any to imagine |
that they might unyeil their sins in a con- |
itssional and fancy that they could secure |
pricstly absOluiiOn. and that all attempts at |
secret repentance were unavaliRg when |
they were suggested by an unwillingness |
to acknoW ledge eur sinfulness before the |
world.
sHOULD BE PENTTENTIAI.
The Doctors other peculiarly-s suggestive |
remark wa that 4 confession amounted to |
nothing unless it was penitential. Tie said !
that q confession eXtorted by force, or by |
fear, or by mere hope OF mercy, could |
hot be pleasing 10 God. We can never |
confess our sins TO God so a to command |
His pity until We have come 10 realize that |
our sins are exceeding sinful. loathsOme to |
IT. H. we'll u 10 God. and 80 hateful |
that we would be willing TO COMES. |
them ~ relief 10 our own souls. |
even tbO.gh there was no pardon |
for rs. He reminded bis congregation |
that there was no saving yalne in . COMES !
sion. We cannot be saved without it, but /
ii will no; save us. II j. the grieyous MS /
take OF some that they suppose they can sin I
at their pleasure, and, 10y cOniessing at their |
will. find an easy forgiveness. There i no 1
merit in confession: it buys no blessing /
and impart. no virtue. We NAV confess |
our sins and yet perish. Il Is moi the con- |
lesion Of sin or OF Christ. but Christ him !
EFF who saves IL.
CHEIsT's CONFESSION BEFORE PLATE.
He closed with the remark that Christ. |
confession before Plate wa in the face OF |
peril. and promised no earthly blessing |
Re made II only berause II was true, AMI /
he would not be- false u the truth even T. |
save His life. II we possess HIS spirit W
y III be willing 20 confess Hin, even though |
confession means death.
The above /, only a broken and par.la. |
sketch OF pr. Hatchcr's sermon. II was an !
able and eloquent Effort, was heard |
with eager attention, ana ought 10 have !
done 20, congregation good. Whether ais |
hesr,r, gcre led by Il to feel theis duty OF !
making their own good Confessions unto /
God. or Wheeler tnev were wonderin- |
WbE'hcr somebody else ough, TO make the |
good confession a. described Dy III. (
preacher, are no. questions for reporter |
% auswer.
There vGs nothing in The sermon which |
could aid aDybCdy In gsceTtainine whether !
CUyfrius bad made or would ever make .
confession mat he j. tie murderer OF Lii
iian Madison. Possibly the impression has
been made that Or. Hatcher has taken the
ground that II Ciuverius should attempt %
fntTu-t 10 him The secret OF bis guilt he
would covenant never 10 make Il Known.
II j, quite certain that be- hI, said no such
Thing. and would never consent 10 be the
silent depository Of an uuhOly secret. The
Doctor has simply announced that be did
not feel that his peculiar relations with the
prisoner. 30 long o, Dr. /, alive. would
justify hIm 10 revealing O. TIE public Wu9t
might Boz said 70 ulm no confidence. He !,
a religion, counsellor. whose cuisines, is
with The prisoner. and not with tlc public.
tir ha, been reported a~ sag NJ that II tIe
prisoner should make a confession dIrin-
ui, lifetime BE- would hIyc the right o. die
f-fc whether or not il should be- made pub
lr " That be- really laid wa, thu. the
ri-orfT would have right 20 say 20 iln-
ss be iiyes what >'cre, fact concerning
himself .LOu.d De given 10 the public. TIi. !
anything ~ BE- choo,e,.