The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-12-09
NEW RECTOR OF ST. JAMES.
HIS FIRST SERMON TO THE CON-
oREoATION.

wev. John X, n ason, the associate rector
of ST. james Episcopal church, preached
the nfst sermon 20 his new congregation
Sunday morning. The weather was raw
aAd disagrcesble, but there was, nevcrtbe-
less, large attendance. II being commu-
nion Sunday, the short morning service
was used. The sermon wss listened TO
with peculiar interest, and Dir. Mason I'm.
pressed his hearers with the fervvr and elo-
quence OF bis words. He chose as bis text
the twentieth verse of the fifth chapter OF
second Coriuthians. snow, then, we are am
bassadors for Christ. As though God did be-
seech you by us, we pray you In Christs stead
BE- ye reconciled 10 God" Mr.. Mason said
tARt this message OF the apostle, coming in
the form Of an exhortation ought 10 I'LL
every heart with glsdbess and every tongue
with praise. Alienation and enmity de
scribe mans attitude toward God; the text
tells Of how man Is met by God, who Is al
ready reconciled; and but one thing remains
20 accomplish mans recOBciliatiOn--an ac-
ceptance OF Gods offer of pardon and
peace.
Another part OF the text calls attention TO
the agency God uses to make known this
econciiistion--ambassad On this Joint
Mr.. n ason laid much stress, and described
The term 70 imply an earthly Office, which
might be converted into n heavenly rela-
ton. An ambassador from one Government
TO another Is sent to secure, 10 advance and
10 guard the interests Of his people. He
goes with authority. Applying this defini-
tion to the Christian ambassador, the speaker
said: "lf we believe in God, the Holy
Ghost influencing the hearts and minds OF
his people, we must believe that men are
called to active mini,try j not by crcum-
stances simply OF proyidential chai acter,
but BY the Holy Ghost, and OF necessity he
that bears and obeys this call, obeys Christ's
command, go ye into all the world and
preach the Gospel, and II Christ sends, of
course, he gives authority"
Mr.. Mason alluded 10 the beauty Of the
church liturgy, which was unsurpassed for
worship, but declared that IL should never
De substituted for the preaching OF the gos-
pei.
In connection with preaching the gospel
the speaker took occasion TO comment upon
the duty Of ministers TO confne their words
from the pulpit to religious subjects.
"Who would or could think" he said, "oi
81 Paul preaching at Athens, or Corinth on
apelitical or scientific question Of the day
In conclusion, MIR. Mason paid an affect
ing tribute 10 the venerable rector of the
church, DR.. Peterkin, aud concluded with
these words: "Upon your invitation, and
i trust and believe under direction Of the
Spirit. have come to enjoy the privilege
OF standing by the side of your beloved and
faithful rector In the name and the work of
the Lord. IL is not only privilege but a
grave responsibility; that take up. need
Gods grace and strength, | need your SYM
psthy, your prayers, your hearty co-opera.
ton. Let us together hold up the hands of
your faithful rector and help in the name
and strength Of the Lord TO gather in the
harvest from his long and faithful sowing.
cHRIsT's RELATIONS.
DIR. W. w. Landrum, of the Second Bap.
list church, began Sunday night series oil
very interesting sermons. The une preached
was on the theme "Christs Relation 10 the
Home" The next of the series will be on
''Christs Relation to Society,"" and the fol
lowing Sunday, "Christs Relation 10 Pol
itics."
Next Sunday will close the eighth year Of
DIR. Landrum's ministry in Richmond, be
Second Baptis, church on the second Sun
day In December, 1882. He will deliver q
sermon appropriate 10 the occasion.
81. PAfklCkb CHURCH.
At st. Patrick's church, Twenty-fiftt
street, Bishop Van de Vyyer Sunday morn
ing preached a powerful and eloquent ser
mon on 'Charity," taking as his text tn,
words: "lnasmuch as We did il to the Least
OF these ye did IL unto Me-" The new pipe
organ was 10 place, and was played in M
excellent manner by Professor Caudeld
High Mass was celebrated.
CATHEDRAL MISSION.
The mission services were continued al
st. Peters Cathedral Sunday. At Higl
Mass in the morning Father Mcdonald
preached on "The Sacrifice Of the Mass
In the evening Father Himmel delivered Q
discourse on Marriage" Last night the
sermon was preached by Father Mcdonald
and bis subject was 1.-The Feast Of the I'm
maculate Conception" The services close
tomorrow night. The mission has been
very successful and is satisfactory TO the
clergy here. In the instruction rooms mer
have openly confessed that they had beer
away from their religious duties for over
thirty-hve years.
The two fathers having the mission In
charge commenced TO hear confessions last
Thursday, and up TO Saturday night had
heard $50 persons.
lhMACOLATn CONCEPTlON.
Yesterday was observed in the Catholic
churches OF this city the Feast of the I'm.
maculate Conception. Masses were said al
D, 7, and O'Clock In the morning. This il
one OF the most important feast days in the
Church, and generally known as holy day
Of obligation.
HIS LAST ADDRESS HERE.
Francis Murphy, the temperance lecturer,
who has been speaking in Richmond for the
past two weeks with so much eject, and
who has undoubtedly aided greatly the cause
Of temperance, delivered his last lecture in
Richmond at the Grace-Street taber.
nacle Sunday night. Over two thousand
persons attended the meeting, among whom
were many Of prominence. Mr.. Murphy's
talk was one OF the ablest he has ever de.
livered In this city. He spoke from Mathew,
Ii, rs, 20, and 30. Alter the meeting,
- usual, many signed the pledge
Mr.. and Mrs. Murphy leave this
morning on the 1880 train for Brooklyn,
where they have married daughter. From
there they go to their home in Pittsburg,
and after spending week at home they 90
70 Indianapolis, where Mr.. Murphy will
conduct series OF meetings. MIR. Murphy
sAid TO TIMEs reporter last night that his
stay In Richmond had been most pleasant,
loving good by for him TO every man, woman
and child in the city.
sUNpAY-sCH0oL ASSOCIATION.
The monthly meeting of the Baptist
Sunday School Association OF the upper
Henrico district, embracing part Of Hen
rico and Hanover counties, was held In the
Ashland Baptist church Sunday alter
noon. On account of the inclemency
Of the weather none Of the regular officers
were present. J. Palmer Gordon, superin-
teudent Of the Ashland school, presided,
with l.. N. Fox as secretary.
DIR. Pollard, Of Richmond College, deliy-
cred an able address. His subject was
show TO Teach the Lesson He was fol-
lowed by Colonel Whitehead on general
sunday school work.
IN MEMORIAM.
At the venable-Street Baptist church
Sunday afternoon services were held in
memory Of the late Frank &. johnson. A
large crowd attended despite the bad
weather, attesting In what esteem the de-
ceased was held by many. Mr.. johnson
wac Q student at the Richmond College,
and his sudden death few days ago was
subject Of universal regret.
OLD MARKET HALL.