Smyrna times., 1890-07-02
Sunday at the M. E. Church and its
Two Sermons.

Sunday at the M. E. Church and its
Two Sermons.
When the pastor varied the usual
pulpit services of Sunday week at the
NJ. E. Church by sermon from for
mer pastor who served the church
faithfully over twenty years ago, Rev.
DR. Gracey, who was making his fare
well visit prior to his departure for
Foo Chow, China in few days, fol-
lowed by Il sermon by Rev. Mr.. Max
we'll of Leipsic at night, it was not ex-
pected that the following sabbath
would put large Calendered red let
ter for the last Sunday in June.
Presiding Elder France was down
for his quarterly sermon, but learning
that Rev. DR.. Robinson was in town
(having come in from an attendance
upon the International Sunday School
Convention held last week at Pitts
burg Pa, of which he was member)
he was pressed into the service, in ex-
pectatiOn of which, the day being an
unusually delightful one, there was a
very large congregation. The i'm
provements to the church in which all
take so much pleasure were projected
by DR.. Robinson before his departure
for Dakota, and it was an unexpected
pleasure to the congregation to thus
have him for once at least enjoy it
with them and hear him expound
| again the sacred Oracles. There was
an evident flood of memories crowding
on the minds of the preacher and peo-
pie as the peals of the organ and the
rich anthems of praise swelled out
from the rear of the pulpit in the intro
ductOry services.
Dr. Robinson, on being introduced
by the Elder took for his text, "Thy
gentleness hath made me great,"-
Psalms, 1885.
The discourse was characterized by
that mental grasp, that penetration
into the depth of meaning which the
text only outlined, that largeness oI
view brought down to the individual
perception and appropriation while it's
elf rich in imagery made strong by Wig
Orous and elegant diction.
The object of the speaker was tC
show that it was not the power nol
OmnipOtence, but the gentleness, the
tenderness of God that was the grea
factor in modifying, spiritualizing anC
elevating the human race.
Pastor Wilson who had gone to tn,
Union Church near Blackbird. t.
preach for the Presiding Elder was ex
pected back to occupy his pulpit a
night, but instead, at the conclusion o
the ringing of the second bell, preced
ing the choir, came up from the rea
a young preacher who seemed to be ;
stranger to the entire congregation
The chOirrendered some effective mu
sic and after the opening exercises th
preacher with a well modulated voic
announced his text, I'VE preach Chris
crucifed &c" and proceeded to unfol,
his theme,-th power of the cross t
uplift mankind, or rather the appeal t
the human heart made by the sacrifice
of the deity in his behalf.
The speaker evidently felt he had
subject worth his best thought in con
ceptiOn and his best gift in presenta
ton, and proceeding on this line, it wa
evident he had the large audience i
deep and earnest sympathy with hir
and his subject. There was nOthin
haphazard or extraneous in the dis
course, but a steady building up piec
by piece in neatness and symmetr
until the climax was reached and th
impression left on his audience ofvigo
of thought, deep spiritual perception
and skilliul handling of a greq
theme not often found in one of his ag
in the itineracy-fOur years.
The inquiry very naturally passe
from mouth to mouth in the exit, VIII
is he 1t was the Rev. r. |. Watkin,
who was sent to Townsend the pa:
spring. The pastor who had preache
at Union Church but a mile or tw
away made it convenient as be Wa
already there to effect an exchang,
hence Mr.. Watkins occupied his plaC
. at night. Next Sunday morning wi
be devoted to the quarterly commune
, service. 1t is expected that the Re,
DIR. A. Rittenhouse of Philadelphia
another ex-pastOr, will spend SUI
day, goth, in Smyrna.