The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1889-02-13


TBxT.-John, Chap. l: vs. 40 Al, AZ lone of
the two which heard John speak, and followed
him, was Andrew, Simon Peters brother He
first hndeth his own brother Simon. and saith
unto him, We have found the Messiss, which is,
being interpreted the Christ. And he brought
him to Jesus"
Some years ago, while visiting Scotch
friend in New York, was invited to a
meeting and dinner of the st. Andrew s
Society At the appointed hour we were
all marched into the great dining-hall to
the music of the bag pipes. The pipers
then marched three times around the
tables playing familiar Scotch airs, after
which blessing was asked, and we were
seated. A haggtS was one of the dishes,
though did not see any one bold enough
to attack it. After the dinner patriotic
songs we're sung, patriotic toasts proposed,
and patriotic speeches made, the festivity
ending by all the guests standing round
the tables and singing with great fer
vor, Should old acquaintance be for.
got p Wherever Scotchmen are scatter
ed-and you find them all over the world
they remember Saint Andrews Day"
1t reminds them Of country and home.
All of Scotch birth here present tonight
will be interested IN sermon on Andrew
He is called the patron saint of Scotland
| need not tell you that do not believe
IN that kind of patrons, or in that kind of
saints. But I can explain how that popu-
lar notion about Andrew started.
The tTadition-that is, the old. time,
wild story about him, of course is not
founded on fact, but it is interesting
enough to keep it alive and keep it go,
ing. The story is that Andrew made
great missionary journeys in different
parts of the world until ne came to
Greece, where he was put to death on a
cross shaped like the letter X, ever since
called "St. Andrews Gross, and that
after having been buried for hundreds Of
years his bones were dug up and some Of
them brought over to Scotland and
placed In q church. around which a city,
with famous university in it, sprang up,
and 60 he finally became the Patron
Saint of the whole country.
If these traditions, fancful as they are,
interest any OF you in the sermon l am
going to preach about Andrew, we'll and
good But I think the history Of Andrew
ought to be still more interesting to my
Hebrew triends-so many OF whom | am
happy to say attend this hall-for it
shows how a man of their own people
was led on, step by step, until he found
the Messiah. And it will interest Us all
mo matter where our forefathers came
trom-if the Lord opens our hearts and
fixes oDr attention on Andrew first as
seeking something and finding what he
sought; second, ss a worker in q good
cause, and third, az happy aud bonored
By rich reward for his diligence and
loving fidelity.
There vas an obscure man, Jonas by
name, in a small town on the shore Of the
sea Of Galilee, who had two sons, Andrew
and Peter, obscure az their father was
until the events occurred recorded in this
chapter. Andrew is believed to be the
younger Of the two brothers, but his in-
terest IN religious truth was awakened
first. In every family the oldest brother
ought to be an example and guide to the
younger children, but as you have often
seen, it is not always so. How early
Andrews religious impressions com
menoed we are not told, but we are told
what brought him to q decision. 1t was
the preaching Of
JOHN THE BAPTIST.
We do not wonder that he was impressed