The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-05-12
sYxru ANN,vpps.pv
Of the Westminster Theological Seminary
Excellent sermons-Fine Music Interesting
Programs-Large Audiences, &C.


Westminster, on the 9th, 9TH and Sth instants
On Sabbath morning the annual sermon
was preached by DIR. j. T. Ward, President
of the Seminary. 1t is given in full below.
In the evening DIR. j. E. L. Ewell, of Bal
tImore, preached a missionary sermon before
the Missionary Alliance of the Seminary.
Dr. Ewell took for his text Zechariah s %
After brief explanation of the prophecy
contained in the text. the DR.. proceeded
with his subject in an earnest and eloquent
manner.
He observed that all individuals and nations
seek happiness and in various ways. Nothing
except the Gospel eau bring the peace and
happiness we seek. 1t is the duty of the
Church to convey the Gospel to all nations
The reasons why the Church should do this
are many and great. "he Gospel reveals
God; lifts individuals and nations to higher
life; brings peace and joy; makes all heirs OF
God and joint heirs with Christ; not to give it
to the whole world savors of selhshness; while
to publish it to all nations is strongly enjoined
upon us by the Scriptures.
These are only few of the thoughts of the
Dr's. excellent, well-delivercd, aud highly
appreciated discourse.
The Stockton Society of the Seminary eel
ebrated on Monday evening its fifth anniver-
sary. The program was as follows: Doxol.
ogy; prayer, by Rev. J. T. Murray, d. D.;
Presidents address, I. L. Davis; chorus,
Society; rehearsal, Evidences of the Divine
Existance, James Selby; chorus Society;
K. Hodge; essay, Relation of the Sunday
School to the Church, j. II. S. Ewell; quar-
tette, G.. R. Hodge. w. S. Phillips, C. W.
McAllister, G. A. 0gg; discussion, Should
there be Different Protestant Denominations?
C. X. McCaslin, NJ. E. Grant, VIM. Anthony,
d. E. Day; chorus, Society; benediction, DR..
j. E. I. Ewell; organist, j. H. S. Ewell; cor
netist, G. r. Hodge.
The music, Mr.. Selby's rehearsal, Mr. Co.
dy's address, and the discussion deserve spec
ial mention, but all the participants executed
their parts remarkably well, and showed that
they had made the most careful preparation.
The Society is to be congratulated on such an
excellent entertainment, which reflected great
credit upon itself and the Institution it repre-
sents.
On Tuesday evening the regular commence
ment exercises took place. G. W. Haddaway,
of Baltimore, and I. L. Davis, of Pittsville,
Nd, composed the graduating class. The
subject of Mr.. Haddaway's graduating thesis
was preaching" and that of Mr.. Davis S
thesis was Pastoral Work" The exercises
were opened with prayer by Rev. j. D..
Kinzer, of Baltimore. After the reading ofthe
theses President Ward made short address,
and at the close of it presented the two grad
yates with diplomas of graduation. The dox-
ology and bendiction followed.
The exercises of the evening we're inter
spersed with music by the NJ. p. Choir. This
choir has the reputation of furnishing excel
lent music, and on the above occasion main
tanned its reputation in the highest sense.
Mr. Harry Gernand is leader, and is assisted
by number of excellent voices. Miss Anna
Shriver is organist.
1t is considered that the sixth anniversary
is the best the Seminary has yet held.
The weather during the entire time was
perfect, and all the exercises were attended
by large audiences. The Seminary has reason
to congratulate itself on the interest mani
1t is hoped that this interest will
deepen as the Seminary grows older.
THE GRAND THEME AND THE MANNER OF ST. PAuL's
PREACHING.
Annual Sermon to the Students of Westminster
Theological Seminary of the NJ. p. Church. by the
President, Rev J. I. Ward, ID. d.. delivered in the
NJ. z. Church. Westminster, Md, on Sunday morn
ing, May 6th 1883.
Text: / Cor ii, %. "And l, brethren, when I
came to you, came not with excellency OF speech,
or of wisdom. declaring unto you the testimony of
God For l determined not to know any thing
among you. save Jesus Christ, and him crncihed."
In humbly attempting 10 treat upon this famous
text shall present the cORceHss of views of other
Bible students in connection with my own view
that the young brethren for whose special benefit
this discourse is intended, may be the more i'm
pressed for while the Scriptures themselves are the
only infallihle authority in religious teaching and
1t is the right and the duty of every man to study
them for himself comparing Scripture with Scrip
ture." it is manifestly means of help in ascertain
ing the true meaning of the language employed, 10
consult with others who have studied the Bible as
and pTayerfully ourselves and of
them perhaps with facilities exceeding our own:
and noting that dccorddpce of views which will Ger
tainly be found upon all essential points.
begin with one of the standard commentators
views OF the important passage before us He ex-
plains it thus: when the inspired apostle came
as Jewish stranger among the polite, specializing
catch their attention by affected elegance or sub
Unity of language by the trappings of human ora
osophy For twas his sole object to declare he tesi
nlOny o; God concerning the only way Of salvation
from eternal misery, and of obtaining eternal life;
and d message of such immense importance would
not admit of such worthless embellishments. What
ever knowledge he possessed, either of Rabinical
or Grecian learning: he determined to keep It out
Of sight and to preach if he had known no other
subject than that of Jesus, the Messiah even of him
tho was crucifed; and who was generally despised
Redemption through his blood. This was the centre
and Substance of his preaching but il is evident
that he did not eonne himself r0Ry to this topic
to erciHde all other parts of the re1edtedr and
will of God For we are sure from his own writ
ings that he preached mans relations to God as his
Creator, Benetaetor and GoveFnor-the glorious per-
and eternal the righteous and wicked the Just
rewards of the one and the equally Just retributons
IF the other the lost estate man by the fall the
necessity of regeneration; repentance faith
sion, personal ADMINISTRATION to the duties be-
longing to all man IS relations to God and 10 his fell
low creatures; in short he declared the lDoe counsel
Of God as the great circumference to that circle Of
which CHRIST CRUCIFIED is hte centre IN rhich all The
lines naed But upon the most mature dellberation
be had determined to KNOX, Chat IS as all critics
agree the original means, TO make kRoigB) nothing
even among the refined and philosophical Corin-
.hians, which did not in some way elueidate, re-
eyince. or adorn this great doctrine of
yer simply to deliver message even the sure tesfi-
nony Of God without alteration, omission, decora-
ion or addion-the hoIe of what he was sent to de-
liver nothing more nothing less and that in smpiicifvn
similar views might be quoted from other evan
yelical commentaries; we THEREFORE give thisas su
Without question. the Grand Theme of 81. Paurs
9EsdctiGg, as of his writings, was Jesus cra and
Him Crucifed.
cannot be said with truth, since we Know that st.
Faql did treat and LARGELY, too upon other themes,
innate reference 10 Christ, and him cruOifed. The
inspired accounts Of several ofhis discourses as
loFded in the book Of the Acts OF the Apostles abun
lantly illustrate this remark, if we take in their
proper connection with those accounts the Epstles
written by him.. No candid reader
n e 6s y 81 Paa Was 70 Oe css
him crueihed, 1t was not his exclusive theme. His
soourses and letters varied in their special topics
according 10 the demands of the occasions; never
theless in none of them was the grand theme en-
Lirey omitted or lost sight Of Other subjects were
not excluded. but this was diiCdys Included IAN
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is prof
table for doctrine, for reproof for correction for
instruction in righteousness" To say that no SCR
mon is what it ought to be because Christ aud him
erueiied is not the EXCLUSIVE tetle, IS IN my under
Standing Of the matter, improper and unscrpural;
but to say that sermon is what Ii oughtto be that
does not include tais grand theme hold to be both
proper and scriptura as is also the further observa
lion that frequently it is best to make this grand theme
the exclusive theme, and ditcdys it is best 10 keep
he grand theme promipent in a sermon. ! have
heard diepourses on other special topics that did
much spiritual good but sill they were full Of
Christ in their tenor-he could be seen throughout;
but have never kpoWp sermon Ia do any real
ipritual good In which there was m entire exclusion
y Chris and sGtVdtlQn bv The cross. When on Ger
MA occasion, my very dear friend Rev. Dr.. j. T.
eerE Agited me to I'LL his pulpit, and ], being
y iIiI;5si ,s,s Y d ssI Sa!.l s@RS
!. az a a ssaf :s;i sssSi
~ 10 my pfaa6hing fdr third bf az century.
4 ~ ethat his remark could not be borne out ;
~ heard me all the time, inasmueh as may
o. Aes have omitted the aIsnd doctrine. al
- - really paFfr designedIT did So. Every
Gdnn ought 70 have enough or The Gospel in II ~
2Fe sof II il Wefe the only sermon he ever heard
sermon without Christ is Hike the temple without
the skekipah, and if men listen 10 s1cb (which do
not think they will long dol they will listen without
my vial ptfrea or prom. Few men In the world
aid q faithful preacher who, though not man of
superior talent. possessed the spirit of his Divine
Master the spirit of love and humility; few mon
have less pretensions as preacher than myself
-xr1fna TrTa