The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-05-12
HOME MISSIONS.
4 MASS MEETING or Episcopal
CHURCH CONGREGA7 7IONS.
Saint PauIs Church Well Filled Despite
the Bad Weather-Eloquent Mission Ser
mon by the Rev. DIR. II. NJ. jackson.
Beautiful and Impressive Services.


Beautiful and Impressive Services.
A mass-meeting of the Church people
of the city was held last night in St
Paups, and considering the threatening
condition Of the weather prior TO the
hour Of meeting, and the actual rain
which shortly afterwards followed, there
was large attendance.
The object Of this meeting was to con
iinue the work OF the CITY Missionary
Society, which has been recently estab-
lished here and is destined TO be great
power in the Church, both at home and
abroad
In the chancel were nearly all the
clergy and the secretary and treasurer Of
the Diocesan Missionary society
OPENING SERVICES.
Rev Johsua Peterkin, rector of St.
James, opened the services by asking the
congregation to sing the missionary
hymn From Greenland's ley Mountain" ."
| he clergy led the singing, there being
present no choir or organist, and the
entire congregation joined in with Il
vim.
services with the sentence, From the ris-
ing Of the sun, even unto the going
down of the same, my name shall be
great among the Genliles, and in every
place incense shall be offered TO my
name, for my name shall be lelt among
the lleathen, and pure offering, saith
the Lord of Hosts" The general con-
fessiOn, Lords Prayer, Gloria Patri
followed, after which the congregation
with one voice recited the Apostles
creed.
DIR. JACKsoS's SERMON.
The hymn, "Ail Hail the Power of
Jesus Name was sung, after which Rev
ii VI. Jackson ascended the pulpit He
took for his text the second verse of the
first chapter of the prophecy Of IIaggai,
Thus speaketh the Lord OF hosts saying,
This people say, I he lime is not come,
the time that the Lords house should be
built"
In beautiful language the eloquent
priest pictured the condition OF the Jews
to the time when the inspired prophet
wrote the words on the text The peo.
pie had been busy with their corn and
wine; they had forgotten TO build the
temple of Cod The were living well
luyuriously living in their own houses,
but the temple, the worship of God, was
neglected. Hence the prophecy OF Hag-
gai. IS il not time now 10 build il? The
temple Of God to-day, is it not the terIple
Of the Christian religion begun in the
upper chamber AT Jerusalem. which has
kept on building by the love and in
stincts implanted by Jesus Christ:
lie had heard music sung recently
where African, Asian, European, and
American airs had been sung all TO the
glory of God. God grant that all these
countries will respond together in one
grand unity, and by Joint action become
real temple of God
This temple of God i at present bat a
chapel, but one day to como it will be a
temple complete, finished, and beautiful
The knowledge Of the Lord will cover
the earth as the waters cover the sea.
The message to-day is plain. Now is
the opportunity. An open door is before
us and civilization has given US this OPP
portunity 10 enter that door. The rail
roads, telegraphs and other means of
rapid transit are but instruments ready
for our use, and the people ready to be
taught must be by US cared for.
he speaker then referred, in eloquent
language, 10 the missionary work already
done How in one foreign country 200.
600 religious books had been sold; how
Japan had given the Christians charge of
many of her schools how the influence
of Christianity in China was working
wonders, which would soon 50 penetrate
that country as to make il u Christian
land
The preacher then appealed to the
congregations 10 do all in their power TO
save soul How can you weigh even
a mountain of gold in the balance with
the value Of one single soul Where
can You find a single person with their
wits about him and belief in Jesus
Christ who will think the cause of mis-
siOns to be a matter OF dollars and contsE"
INTERESTING STATISTICS.
Or. Jackson gave some statistics.
There were 10000 Christians now in
China, and in forty years the country
will be Christianized, and some within
the hearing of his voice will live TO see
that vast empire God-tearing Christian
country, as much so as the United States
is to-day lie referred 10 the work in
India and wondered what Richmond
people would think Of a sermon preached
in heather country to 1000 anxious
listeners. 10000 people Joined the
church III foreign lands last year The
increase in the United States was only
800, COO He could pile up statistics
which would startle his hearers
Now is time cf unexemplified interest
in mission work There are 1000 men
engaged but what is wanted is money.
Not one half of these men can be sent TO
their field, or cared for when there. Still
the Church Is giving more than usual
but il must keep on increasing lis gifts.
Its members can give money for luXuries
by hundreds of dollars, but nothing for
Christ beyond the average of 43 cents
per year. Our gifts from God, and our
returns to Him will be weighed
against us at the great judgment day
DIR. MENTIONS APPEAL.
Dr. Newton then urged members pres
ent to subscribe themselves members of
the City Missionary Society, and many of
them did so, each promising an annual
L.. H.