San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-09-03
"vALUE OF PUBLIC WORSHIP"
The Words of Rev. Gates to His Re-
creant Flock, Fall as From
Prophet.

The First Baptist church edifice,
corner Jefferson and Travis streets,
which many of its congregation have
now, for some time past, deemed too
shabby as a place of worship and
which they advocate pulling down
and pledging themselves to build a
smarter looking one, was filled, every
pew. Yesterday morning TO listen TO
the words of their invalid pastor, the
talented and eloquent Reverend +. {.
Gates. For long time during Mr..
Gates vacation to the mountains,
made necessary on account OF his
rapidly failing health, these pews
were deserted, for although talented
and intellectual minister kindly Of
ficiated during the PASTORS absence,
the flock strayed away, the choir..was
deserted, and another church, more
elegant and snowy, attracted the
erratic ones. with its grand music and
stained glass and carpets.
Rev. Gates sermon yesterday,
while only touching lightly on this
detection, yet upbraided the men,
bers for it, in words that, while
kindly and pleadingly reprimanded
them, came sorrowfully and as with
the inspiration of another world, the
light of whose bright throne could
almost be seen shining out of the pas
tors lustrous and heaven turned eyes,
as of one speaking, whose time is
short, ''of them, yet not one of them"
fell the prophetic words. LET us try to
improve the service of our pub
lie worship. Are not our critics
just in their attacks upon us? Has
there not been a WEAKNESS in at
tending public service? Are we not
responsible? Do not we come to
bless God? We do not enough of
praise in the songs we sing. Let us
cultivate music and put more into our
worship, not for our entertainment,
or TO please the ear, but to praise
God. Men have done more fighting
under the inspiration of song than
anything else. Eloquence is nothing.
Why should the preacher do all the
work while you sit still. There
ought to be some way for all of us to
express our love for God. Select your
place of worship and stick to it. 1t
ought to be the repository of all the
principles we hold dear. want to
KNOW WndJ you WOulu uilllh vi d hioh
who leaves his own field, to sit upon
his neighbours fence and watch him
work, or perhaps help him in his
work. Will that mans own harvest
ever ripen? He expected them to
keep up the Sunday school and take
more interest in it, also, and closed by
saying: "May the blessing of God
come down and warm our hearts and
refresh our souls"
AS the speaker ceased DR.. }. NJ.
Cain, the organist, began the tremu-
lous offertory, and then the congre-
CATION sang hymn 345 of the hymnal,
while the Invitation extended to any
who wished to join the church, was
accepted by three, Rev. w. III. Rob
inson, of Iona Vista, Mr.. and Mrs. G.
S. Bailey, of Gatesville, who were &C
cepted as members. The rite of bap-
tism was announced to occur after
service, and then holy communion
was partaken of by those who deemed
themselves worthy to taste of 1.-The
blood and body of the Lord Jesus
Christ" While the unworthy, land
these were many passed out the por-
tails, feeling better anyhow, for at
tending.