The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-03-13
The Visit of an Episcopal Minister.

The theme of the mornings discourse
was "Gathering Fragments" from
the notable command Of our Lord, after
the miraculous feeding of the multi
tude, that the fragments be gathered
so that nothing be lost.
Very important spiritual truths were
deduced from this natural, practical
and economic utterance Of the Master,
whose creative power had been so Won
derfully manifested, and which might
just as easily have multiplied food for
million rs we'll as for a few thousand
people.
The imperative necessity of utilizing
! or redeeming the little fragments of
time-the moments, which make up
the hours, the days and seasons, per-
haps, that pass silently by and often
unheeded, with no noble work accom-
plished, was happily illustrated.
One pure, sweet thought q day-one
gentle, generous and disinterested act;
one page written or read, make three
hundred and sixty-five during the brief
interval of a year. But the sequence is
that one worthy act incites another,
and the mind unfolds and expands in
symmetry, strength and grace; it is
trained and disciplined; thought is
consecutive and work systematic, and
the connection between the two are
not broken by hindering delays.
The idle mind, with unoccupid mo-
ments-how fraught with disaster,
often! Without the wholesome restraint
and self-denial and order that come of
discipline. it must feed upon itself and
suffer that dissipation ofthought which
often imperils if it does not destroy.
Those who "gather up the frag-
ments" of time and money, etc., in the
true spirit, are the thrifty and frugal,
and likewise the benevolent ones Of
earth.
But there are those who have the
severed threads of shattered hopes and
broken hearts. These can be brought
to the compassionate One who has
every gift of health and healing Earth
has no sorrow that heaven cannot
heal.'
At the close of the service he spoke
of the fragmentary sermons he had
preached, but hoped that the little frag-
ment of some truth might be gathered
up to the spiritual blessing Of the con-
gregation.
At the afternoon service, in felici-
tous introduction, somewhat colloquial,
Mr.. Williams said he hoped to catch
some of the inspiration of the beautiful
Lords Day evening, whose soft light
was receding. Should he be asked the
theme of his sermon he would say it
was "The Measurement of the Cross"
Oh the height and the depth, the
breadth and the width of its glory
and its grandeur. 1t is the symbol Of
all holy religion. Those who have
overcome and are triumphant know
something of the height Of its saving
power and the breadth of its protec-
ton, whilst those whose hearts are sur
charged with grief or wounded for
transgression, can learn Of the depth
and meaning of its forgiveness, itssym-
pathy and its solace.
When he bade adieu, perhaps for
ever, to the little church whose rector
shin no r,Sipnad- and TO which -hn 1ro-
endeared by many tender ties, and
came far away to the South on his va
cation, the cross upon the church gave
him restful feeling, for here he felt
were both welcome and communion
for him.
Mr.. Williams also delivered several
lectures appropriate to the rite Of con-
frmation. They were "The Gate"
1.-THE Challenge" "INithin the Gate, "
and "The Blessing" They were happy
expositions of vine truth. Baptism
is the gate to tt q Church. He who in
vites and chall, .ges the credence of
those who would enter, is the ascended
Lord, who is at the mercy-seat with a
heart of love and sympathy that he
might both hear and answer the sup
plants prayer.
In his lecture on confirmation the
devout speaker cited Scriptural author
ity for the rite as we'll as the testimo-
ny of non-Episcopal writer's. The lee
lures evinced careful research on the
part of the gifted young divine. and
were delivered in a graceful spirit of
catholicity.
Rev. Mr.. Williams came to New
berry to spends a few weeks leisure with
his friend and college class-mate, Mr..
Barlow B. Ramage. 1t was pleasing
incident that his sojourn here should
have been during the season of Lent.
He left last Monday for his home in
Boston. Mass. He will on next Sunday
take charge of a church to which he
has been called near that city.
The visit of Mr.. Williams to New
berry was very pleasant one. He was
charmed with our beautiful woodlands
and healthful climate, and witbal by
the urbanity, refinement and hopitality
of our citizens.