Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-22
SANTA CLAUS A MYTH
OR. eLeDsoE ON THIS MUCH-es-
LOVED CHRISTMAS VISITOR.
Many Sermons Have Reference to the APP
preaching ABniversary-The Inter
mediate state" 10y Or. Pitt.


preaching Anniversary-The " Inter
mediate state" Ivy DIR. Pitt.
DIR. ]. Wiley Bledsoc. pastor of Park
Place Methodist church, preached an III.
teresting sermon Sunday morning on
Christmas presents. His subiec, was
a Diversity of Gifts but One Spirit. y
There were two classes Of people, said the
preacher-one who selected presents and
one who anticipated them. The former
purchase gifts adapted TO the character OF
those TO receive them, but one spirit
actuateS them. and IL IS TINS rather than
the gift itself which is appreciated. Dr.
Bledsoe made special TRADE on santa
Claus. He SAID that parents ought not ~
deceive children with TINS heathenlsh
idea. This miserable myth called Santa
Claus" continued the speaker, ought
not 10 be practIced upon the llttle ones
II Is far better TO let them know that the
g1ft il from the heart prompted by pure
affection. Let the children know Just
what source the present comes from. Let
them know that the gift II bestowed IN
memory OF Christ
Rev. f. II. Rawlings, pastor OF Gay
Street church, filed his pulpit N the
morning. He preached TO good congre-
CATION from the words: wherefore ai-3
He IS able 10 save unto the uttermOst al
that come unto God 10y Him. Services
were also held at night.
Rev. George IA. Ray delivered interest
ing sermons at UniOn-Station morning ana
evening. There were two professions OF
religion and one accession TO the church;
The Sunday-school festivities will be held
on next Friday afternoon.
TRINITY METHODIST.
At Trinity Methodist church there were
the usual morning and night services. In
the morning Rev. DR.. Paul Whitehead,
presiding elder. preached an edifyiug ser
mon. MS text being Psalm xxx, Il:
Wherefore has Thou made all men IN
vain"
The sermon was designed as o vindlca.
ton of the wisdom and goodness oil Goa
in the creation of life and man on the
earth. notwithstanding 50 great proper
ton of the race appear wholly to miss OF
the great purpose of life. The preacher
discussed the following points: ]. The
pessimistic statement ~ Overdrawn. Inc
case is not so bad as they would make 1t
appear. Although mans condition on the
earth IS naturally dark and gloomy the
picture has some bright cOlornS.
2. The Bible solution Of the problem Of
observation aud histOry-namely that the
evils which besct US here all flow from the
fall Of man.
3. The Bible revelation of the plan Of
salvation and of eternal life bring 10 rs
all the consolation and support We need.
MISSION OF THE CHURCH.
At the night service Rev. DR.. p. a. Pc
terson, the pastor preached sermon OF
great spiritual force. which was highly en-
loved and which can but result III the edl-
ncation of his hearers. The text was Acts
XVI. -: ITO open their eyes and 20 turn
them from darkness TO light, and from tho
power of Satan unto God, that they NAV
receive forgiveness Of SINS and inheritance
among them which are sanctliied by ialth
that is in me-" The speaker recognized IN
these words. which practically comprise
the commission of st. Paul 10 preach the
Gospel 10 al men, the mission OF the
Church. All Christian effort, all the
preaching from the pulpit, Is directed 10
the end that people may. receive
forgiveness OF their SINS. conscious
ness OF pardon was dwelt upon as
a great blessing and boon 10 men as con-
offered through the Gospel. The speaker
was far from being "A pesslmlst, but IL dll
| look strange that there was not more
! spontaneous and universal responsiveness
| in the hearts of men 10 the great blessing
offered III this forgiveness OF SINS and con =
srious pardon of sins The richness of
! the inheritance among them when aI'
sanctlfed.n which inheritance II con-
sclously realized when pardon IS granted,
simple condition OF faith. trust by aui
through which the blessings come
There is no power IN earth or
Heaven outside OF the Gospel which
/ "a Gods power TO save Toy when
the spiritually bind can be brought 10
tae glorious light OF spiritual freedom.
The speaker earnestly and impressiNe!S
dwelt upon the vital Importance OF seek
lug this spiritual light. After the sermon
one young lady presented herself Tor
church membership and baptism and was
duly received into the church and baptized
| by aliuslon.
DR. Peterson is universally beloved Of
his congregation and the earnestness and
impressIyeness as well az the thorough
ness of hls sermons stamp hun as preach.
er Of great power.
The Society Of " Wesleyan Workers of
this church are preparing tor their annua.
pound-party for the poor, which event
Will take place on New-Iea day.
CESTEyAEY METHODIST CHURCH.
4 very large congregation greeted Rev.
DR.. S,edl. the pastor OF THIS church, aJ
the II o'clock service on SUNDAY. Inc
,ayt was the whole OF the ~ Psalm
"Dayld's Jog for the Church and HIS
PRAYER for the Peace Thereof Dr. SlcdI
said this Psalm was the production Of q
cOnsectltel genius. ChrlSts We tor the
Church and HIS interest in its welfare the
subject The fgc, that tho tue DehoVeF
loves the Church needs no argument.
Every heart afirms it. David exclaimed
"a, oh I'D N
I FORGET Thee. Oh Jerusalem, let my tongue
cleaye TO the roof of my mouth Not only
do Christians love Gods spiritual Church,
but even her walls are sacred
IN their estimation. Tho stones thereof
are their delight. Indifference 10 the
Church Is indifference TO Christ. The
Psaimest loved Jerusalem because OF II.
CONFERENCE.-The unity IN the service ot
Christ. so the Christian must love his
Church for similar reasons, and Will sup
port its institutions. Her cOmpactue,5
and unity is enough 10 euklndle IN the
hearts Of all love for 1t. The Church Il
the true tabernacle of Goa. In II all truth
mas been deposited TO be transmitted 20
future generations. It's members come TO
il with praise aud for prayer "a well.
and true Christians feel its need and
enjoy the privilege. Iu this eXef-
else they are strengthened IN Their
ROYAL place-temporal and spiritual
hence il was a popular place. Tie Church
also is a regal place, and, like Jerusalem
of old, Is popular place Of resort for all
Christians.
oh, that all would say: 90 was glad
when they said unto US, let US 60 mp 10 The
house of the Lord
No invitation should be more welcome
TO the Christian than when ne is invited
20 the Church If the living God. The cry
of our hearts should always be-
The gladness Of that happy day,
o., may 10 ever, ever stay!
Nor let our faith iOrsake IL hold
Nor hope decline, nor love grow cold! !"
THE PRRsBYTEBIANs.
At the First Presbyterian church the
pastor, DR.. Kerr. occupied the pulpit
morning and evening. To-day week there
will be Christmas services III the church
in the morning for the children, aud after
wards a Christmas-tree in the lecture
room.
In the absence Of DR.. Hoge the Rey.
DR.. Sample, of Westminster church. New
York, filed his pulpit morning and after
noon. IL is rare for a congregation 10 hear
on one Sunday two sermons OF such
beauty and power as this distinguished
divine delivered to intensely interested
audiences.
Regrets were expressed by persons Of
other denominations that 1t was out OF