Wichita eagle., 1889-04-23
EASTER SUNDAY AT THE FIRST PRESBY'
iTERIANCHuRCH

EASTER SUNDAY AT THE FIRST PRESB1-
iTERIANSCHuRCH.
To the Editor Of the Eagle.
Preparatory to the services OF the day
the church had been beautifully decorated
with flowers, which were grouped on the
platform in four pyramids, each crowned
with easter lilies. The presence of our
new pastor, Rev. David Winters, brought
capacity OF the church.
The frstexerclse was the reception by
the Rev. j. D. Hewitt of seven new mem
bers. one of whom was baptised.
The anthems rendered by the choir both
morning and evening were not only beau
tiful within themselves but were most
charmingly executed, and made one wish
that if Easter brings such music that we
might have an Easter every Lords day.
The lesson chosen for the day was John
POLLS. After singing the pastor made
few Introductory remarks, stating that he
had preferred this church before another
larger one because of the greater opportu-
nifty it afforded for hard, aggressive work,
and he had come here determined TO look
on the brightest and best side OF the church
and people, and he asked that the church
aud people manifest toward him the same
disposition. His desire was to get ac-
auainted with the people as rapidly as
possible, and he would be greatly aided in
this by the people meeting him little
more than half way, and on every con-
venient occasion speaking and making
their names known to him.
His plan was TO devote his forenoons to
the study of books, and his afternoons TO
the study of people. But If at any time
any one desired any service of the pastor
he would consider it great favor if they
would at once let him know by postal or
otherwise.
He said he would expect the co-opera-
ton of the people in every direction and IL
attendance upon the prayer meeting and
other services, and above all things else
in their prayers for him.
In conclusion, he said, come here in the
expectation of the luxury of work, hard
work for the Master. and l keep in mind
the history of this church for excellent
work and great achievements under my
honored predecessor. 1t is no easy task to
carry on this work. l need your sym
patty, your prayers. your help, to make
good than it has been. will trust you to
aid me in all the ways you can. And l do
hope and pray the Great God, the Head of
the Church, to be with Us in
our endeavor. The text chosen
was Col. LIS. Whom we preach. warning
every man and teaching every man that
we may present every man perfect in
Christ Jesus.
The preacher said: &c not know that
the age is radically different from any
other age Circumstantially it differs
very greatly. This may be called the age
of scientific investigation and discovery,
of steam and electricity, of railways and
navigation, of great cities. But l think
most really the age of great intellectual
opportunity and advantage. Never before
was there such an age for intellectual Gull
ture and the requirement of knowledge
Millions of newspapers published week
ly if not daily hundreds of thousands of
books and millions of bibles yearly. In
addition to our common schools, acade-
mics, colleges and universities we have
our great summer schools of philosophy
and science and courses of reading, so
that any person who has the spirit
and ability may get almost as
thorough an education through these
as could formerly be had by taking full
course of study in the schools. Thus the
question arises: Has not the pulpit been
Superseded by the press, or has not the
press at least become its successful rival
and left the pulpit in the background?
Here there may be some room for debate,
until we remember that the church is
divine institution and the preaching the
word Gods special method for converting
sinners and instructing Gods children,
and as long as sinners remain to be con-
verted and Christians remain imperfect
the pulpit can never be superseded. The
great secular press it now not wholly sec
ular 1t publishes much religious matter
and is the ally, the handmade, of the
preacher in doing his work The only
question Is what kind of preaching is
needed We have one book with all the
great moral and doctrinal truths in it,
which answers the question.
What we want is apostolic preaching. We
REQUIRE new methods The old truth must
be adapted to the new state of things in
which we live. He said, our text gives US
a full answer under four heads;
First-Subject of the preacher, or The
What
Second-Method of the preacher, or 1.-THE
How"
1hird-The objective range of the preach
er, or 1.-THE Whom"
Fourth-The end or al m of the preacher,
or ''The Why"
In the delivery of his discourse Mr. Win
tiers clearly demonstrated that he is a
faithful and forceful minister of the word,
and that with fervency and forgetfulness
of self he will take high rank as faith
full and forccful minister of the word.
The large audience which greeted
Brother Winters in the evening indicated
that the old truths in new dress have not
lost their attractiveness and their power
over men, and that Mr.. Winters win no.
fail to draw full houses as long as he
breaches up to his first days standard.
The thanks of the church are due To Mr..
Kincaid for providing flowers for the deco
rations and to Misses Lulu Sherwood and
Mabel Larimer for the lovely lilac anchor
and cross which were their handiwork-
LINCOLN STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This enterprising young church is al
ways up and abreast of the older churches
in their services on all special occasions,
and their easter exercises and display last
were equal to any in the city. The
clean, white walls OF the beautiful aud
fence room were adorned with appropriate
scripture notices letJered in various at
tractive designs, while the. platform was
literally filed with choice blooming
plants and bouquetsof cut flowers.
In the forenoon a large CONGREGATION