The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-06-08
MIR. HOUsToN'S ORDINATION.
A Touching Service at the New John
Knox Presbyterian Church.

Touching Service at the New John
Knox Presbyterian Church.
The Rev. Thomas Houston, the blind
evangelist, for whom Mr.. George r. Mac
Kenzie built mission church on Grand
street was ordained and installed yester-
day afternoon as pastor of the John Knox
Presbyterian Church, as the mission is
now called.
The altar was almost hidden from view
by beautiful floral offerings from friends,
and Notwithstanding the impropitious
weather the little church was crowded TO
its utmost capacity. The new pastor has
built up a large congregation and all
seemed pleased to be present to witness
the comforting of the sacred functions of
the ministry upon him.
The three clergymen commissioned by
the Jersey City Presbytery TO perform
the services were the Rev. David Nit
chell, Of the Scotch Presbyterian Church;
Rev. Alexander McKelvey, of the Second
Presbyterian; and Rev. DR.. G. Herr, OF
the First Presbyterian. The services
commenced at n quarter TO four O'Clock,
with the Rev. David Mitchell acting as
moderator. The ordaining prayer was
read by the moderator, the new pastor
kneelin0 at the altar, while the three
officiating clergymen placed their hands
on his head and invoked Gods blessing
upon the action OF the Presbytery in
making him the future pastor of the
John Knox Church. They commended
him to the sympathy of his congregation
and all people, and prayed that Gods
grace be bestowed upon him, that he
might teach others to believe as he be-
lieves. in the salvation of Jesus Christ.
Then followed the ordination sermon
bv the Rev. DIR. c. Herr, who took his
''The Church which is the body of
Christ" 1.-The object of our church, J"
said the speaker, "and the object of all
churches is to do good convert sinners
and lead them in the right way. Our rea-
son for existence Is the salvation OF souls.
to regenerate and make whole sinners of
ali kinds We exist as church TO be
witness to the divinity of Christ"
In conclusion the speaker referred In a
complimentary manner to the work ac-
complished by the new pastor, and hoped
the congregation would work zealously
with their pastor and Keep the good work
of saving souls rolling ON.
The blind pastor had the constitutional
questions put to him concerning the
meaning of the Scriptures the Calvanis-
tic doctrines aud his Willingness to ac-
cept the relationship of pastor to the
John Knox Church. Having answered
the questions to the satisfaction OF the
officiating clergymeu, he was declared
ordained, and the Rev. David Mitchell
charged him that he take heed to the
doctrines, TO preach nothing but the pure
word, to be diligent In visiting the sick
and needy In his flock and to build the IN
up in the holy faith.
The Rev. Mr.. Kelsey charged the peo-
pie to be diligsnt in their attendance TO
church services: to be steadfast to their
pastor; to be steadfast to the church and
steadfast to the great head ofsthe church,
the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The benediction was pronounced by
the Rev. Mr.. Houston, after which hun
dreds of his friends and congregation
welcomed him as their pastor and con-
graduated him upon having become
minister to the church
In the evening the newly ordained min
lister preached from the text John xy.,
I6:-s'Ye have not chosen me, but l have
chosen you, that ye may bring forth
fruit, aud that your fruit shall remain,
that whatsoever We shall ask of the Faith
er in my name, he may give it you." His
theme was Another and a higher Ordin-
alton than that of Houston to the minis
try.n
This evening the first meeting of the
elders, deacon5 and trustees of the ew
church, will be held. and the old trustee
of the mission discharged. The order of
services In the church have been changed
and in the future will be as follows:-
Sunday school, 9 to 10 a. m; church, 10 80
a. m. TO 10: church 7.30 to D. m. Prayer
meetings will be held every Thu rsday
eve ming at eight O'Clock.