Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-12-30

N'''oho VI opHituhi eucnktu. MOI only
must there be esrnestness and power in
the pulpit, but in the pew as well. He
prayed that God would send as his sue
cessor. man full of power. full of the
Holy Ghost. and of faith; but he
gave assurance to the fact that
the lives Of the members would deter
mine the expansion and power of the
church more than the preaching of any
man. His prayer was not that this whole
Central church may be distinguished as
large church. nor as rich church; and
God Almighty forbid that it ever be
known as fashionable church-one of
those huge refrigerators, fit only for
things that are dead-but, that at all
times it may be known in the commune
ity as an organization of honest, earnest
christians, steadfast and immovable, IN
tolerant of all shams and vices. of a half
hearted service OF everything whereby
the Holy Spirit is quenched, and the
work retarded. May it be a place where
the poor are welcomed as well as the
rich--a mutual and society in the highest
sense OF that term, whe-e shall be sung
and lived with reality and truth the
hymn, Blessed be the Tie That Bindsl"
He cautioned the congregation with
which he was parting about lack of en-
thusasm-s GOODNESS in their work. The
prayer of every devout heart should be,
"Baptise Me as With Fire" and he urged
esrnestness and enthusiasm in church
work.
In conclusion Mr.. Medium said, he
parted with the Central church with many
regrets. These arose chiefly as he looked
back over the two years and half of his
ministrations and recalled instances
where he had failed to do all he might
have done. Yet he knew good had been
done, souls had been led to higher life,
and the general condition of the church
he believed was more favorable than
when he came. He asked only to be re-
meEbered as one, who in much weakness
and many conscious imperfections,
preached the gospel fearlessly and faith
fully, with an honest desire to promote
Gods glory and the good of souls.
At the close of the service the majority
of the congregation passed forward to
bid the beloved pastor farewell; many
were the God bless you's," and not a
few were the fearful expressions OF re-
greet at the severing of the pastoral rels,
tions. Mr.. Medium left with his family
over the c., B. & Q. at $40 this morning
for st. Louis, where he spends a day with
his brother and goes to Evansville, his
new charge, in time TO enter upon his
duties on New Years day. He is to as
sumo charge of one of the most promi-
nent and hourishing churches in the state
of Indiana. He IS not only TO have q
received here, but handsome parsonage
and other inducements.
TRINITY's CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES.
The annual Christmas festival of the
Sunday school of Trinity church was
held at the pretty little church at the cor-
ner of Nineteenth street and Sixth ave-
nue. last evening A Jacobs Ladder"
had been erected near the front of the
church, which was handsomely decorated
with evergreen and illuminated with can>
dies Above the step round was the star
of Bethlehem The exercises consisted
of the singing of carols BY the children
to pipe organ and orchestra accompani>
ment, Mrs. Chopper presiding at the orr
gan, and Prof. Klotz directing the or
chestIa and vocal music. Rev. Sweet
delivered short address on the signifi>
canoe OF Christmas. the lessons to he
learned from it and kept. Each child
received from the ladder a nice box Of
candy.