Daily Republican., 1888-04-10
Anniversary at Green Hni.

LAST Sunday marked an event in the
history Of the Green Hill PIesby terian
Church. The pastor, Rev. J. G. Len.
hart, pre- 1hed on the OCCASION OF the
second anniversary Of his pastorAte 10
q large and appreolative audience. The
church WAS tassefullv decorated. The
pulpit was composed of . bank soi
laurels, which formed o beautiful
background FIR potted plants, Rera
NUNS, hyAcinths, oinerarias aud callay.
The choir rendered appropriate mueic.
The pastor took his text from Rom.
1866 He introduced his subject by
stating that "Anoiher year has irrevc-
csbiy rolled pAft us, and this morning
We stand At the second mile stone
which marks our journey together as
pastor and people. 1t 10 very fitting
that We should pause and prayerfully
and seriously consider the lessons TO be
drawn from this anniversary occasion
The past twelve months have brought
varied experiences 10 many OF us. To
some 1t has brought the marriage gar
land; TO others the open grave. To
some health and longevity OF life; to
others great suffering and prolonged
sickness.
To some, temporal prosperity; to
others. adversity and financial embar
raesmsnt; to some, victory over the
world and the fash; to others, defeat
But, through all and above ell our Joys
and Victories, oue suff rings and tears,
let us. this morning, with one accord,
"thank God and take courage"
He further said that, during ths past
year, he had endeavorad to be worthy
OF their confidence and love, not by
fiatteriDg them or by psnderlng to the
demands OF the eccentric and Ihose OF
splenetic temperament, nor by consult
ing their prejudioes; but by preaching
STRAIGHTFORWARD gospel to whomso
ever IL might hit.
The pastor urged the people TO
unapimity of christian feeling and
christian fellowship. People should
not use the church as they would q
street car, sitting down side by side
with no nod Of friendly recognition, nc
grasp Of the haud, no throo Of brotherlJ
or sisterly affection.
He also showed the importance OF o
practical religion. Many persons In
stead OF making their religion q warm,
comfortably Citing robe to proteci
themselves from the chill OF the world,
make 1. only q stiff, formal garment to
be worn on stated occasions, very unbe
coming and uucom Portable, and OF DC
earthly, much less heavenly, practical
benefit whatever. Some persons thought
they were doing Gods service when
they walked about stiff and cold 81 an
iceberg, with no kind look or word for
any one, aud fudipg fault with those
who did the larger portion OF the work
Of the church. Plenty OF work IN tbS
gospel harness will create an appetite
for spiritual lhlnGs. The house OF God
will h ave powerful attraction, and the
services will be refreshing and warm
Ing to the soul. In o storm men are
driven In the way they have sat theiI
sails. II the sail OF pride and self
righteousness iB no, thsy will be driver
to destruction. II the sail of faith Ii
up they are sure to push into the harbol
OF Gods mercy.
Mr.. Lsnhsr. also showed the simport
Anoe Of church gIo With. "Historicall,
1t has always been fact that In Christi
church seasons OF expansion have fol
lowed upon sessons OF deepened spirit
nal life on the part Of His people
Wherever there is inward vigor of If
there will be outward growth, and tn
church which Ia pure, earnest, liyin z
| will be church Which spreads and In
creAeeB -
The pAstor also spoke impresslvely 0
| the gospel OF comfort which the Il jol
needed. Death had touched many O
| heir pumbsr daring the past year. TIL
mortuary list Of adults and infants WA
more than twice rs large AB 1t had beer
. year AGO within the pale of the church
Numbering twslYe. The pastor eK
L NhaRfad hto MANILA - IrYa Ixypa h0
when death would come 1t would havi
no terrors for them,
Then followed full statistical repor'
Of the church work for the year ending
| April 1st part of which is as follows
New mem bsra added, IS; total 175, In
fants baptized, 20. Contributions 3,
Home Missions, $40; Foreign Missions
lS8A. Education, $l6. Sunday schoo
work, $40. Church extension, Sl2
ministerial relief, s122. Freedmen, $l7
and other benevolent objects amour,
ling to $402, being $12l more than tn
IyeRr previous. Total for the year, In
Iclnding congregational expenses, 90, ,25s
The pastor seemed well satisfied witt
1.-The report for the year. He said tn
spiritual harvest was not go great a
would be desired, but that rs duty be
longed to man and results to God, tina
lperbaps seed had been sown whic
would yet bring forth fruit abundantl.
to Gods honor and glory. He said: IVY
have great cause TO lift cur voices &c
lgether In Thanksgiving and praise t
IGod for what has been acoomPlishei
duriug the past year, The honor is du
TO Him and not 10 man."
The pastor In closing spoke feelinRl
of the kindness and devotion Hhtc
had been bestowed upon himself an
family, and tina. on the pillar which Il
the pilgrimage Of life was set up to da.
as marking an epoch in their relation
as pastor and people, they were pre-
tparsd to insoribe record of gratitude
''Surely goodness and mercy" hav
followed us through the year. "rh
lines have fallen TO US In pleassn
, places, and OUTS Is goodly heritage.