The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-30

hc Preached Last Evening at the Seventh
street Christian Church.

Rev. G. p Williamson. anative of Williams
burg who some years ago had charge of a
congregation in this city, but Of lato has been
connected with pulpit in Lexington. Ky.
last evening led the prayer meeting At the
SeNenth-stteet Christian church. The atten-
dance was large and in the congregation were
many Of the personal lriends OF Mr. William
SON.
After opening the meeting, Mr.. Williamson,
VINO has lost nothing of his well-known vigor
ana convincing eloquence. briefly stated that
no loved promptness in the exercises and
breyiiy in prayer and speech. He said that
ne had never enjoyed prayers more than in
inc classroom at Lake Chautauqua. where
prayers had been limited to one minute.
lie then read the lesson from John xv.,
] H. and after few short prayers by men,
bers OF the congregation, he called on DR.. A.
r. Moore. Of Kentucky, lately of Alabama, and
now a resident Of the State Of Virginia. DR..
Moore who IS AZ present the editor of the
Missionary Weekly, called attention to the
thought expressed in John Ky, 8. Herein is
my Father glorifed that ye bear much fruit.
80 shall ye be my disciples"
TINS WIS peculiarly practical age, and the
present generation was done with theories
and the great majority OF philosophers and
great schemes Of thought. The verse Just
quoted expressed that thought, and that the
people were expected 10 bear fruit for Christ.
The tree when planted was not what it was
expected TO be, but destined to grow and bear
fruit. aud so were the people planted
IN Christ Jesus and expected to grow
and bear fruit. The Saviour expected this
matter Of bearing fruit to be the test Of the
true disciples The Christians were IN this
world TO serve the Lord for his honor and
glory. and Jesus had purchased the Church
with his own life. that it might shine TO the
honor and glory of God.
MR.. WILLIAMSON.
After some more singing and prayers, Mr..
williamson made a few remarks. He pointed
ont that when Christ was on earth he thought
10 teach his deciples two fundamental les
sons, the relationship existing between him
self aid his decipes and then the consequent
relationship between tho disciples themselves.
This was q difficult thing TO teach. consider
ing the existing circumstances. when the Jews
were born and trained in the idea that the
Messiah would come 10 re-establish their king
dom on earth.
Christ endeavored to teach them that his
kingdom was Of a spiritual character and not
"a kingdom of law The lesson taught III the
text presented was very simple. like all his
other lessons. and easy 10 understand by
every one Jesus SAYS, am the vine and you
are the branches. Two things grow out or
this statement: The branches depend on the
vine FOR their lives. but the vine depends on
the branches for its fruit.
God alWaysdid only the very best thing, and
while be might have converted the world
without his Son. he did not do 50. If the
followers Of Christ did not convert some one
they were not the right kind Of branches.
The pastor briefly referred to beautiful
extract from Guthrie in regard to branches
tied 20 the vine for the sake Of incubation.
which. however did not grow. In Il ike
manner many people in the Church were only
tied to the Church. without the life Of Christ
q .asslt4 lxr ag,A
only in name Christians, while the true Chris
tian should endeavor to bear fruit for the
glory of God.
After the service many came forward to
shake hands with Mr. Williamson. The
latter will leave here on Friday for Georgia,
but promises to return soon for another visit.
Rev. Jabez Hall the pastor Of the church,
who has been visiting IN the Northwest, will
return 10 Richmond to-day. and expects to
occupy his pulpit next Sunday.