Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-01-19
CHURCH NOTES.
TAG EvANGELISTIC MASS MEETING AT TIE
OPERA HOUSE.
Rs7. c. u. 4lfri Discoursss on Frisni;biP-A
Sermon % the Proiigal Son By Rev. c.
". Cashing-0thsr Notes

Yesterday afternoon at three O'Clock
i mass meeting was held at the Opera
House in the interest Of the Evangelistic
mission on Market street. There was
good attendance and much interest was
manifested in the proceedings. In ad-
dition to the speeches there was some
excellent music by the .Eolian Quar-
tette, in charge Of Mr.. L. II. Parker,
assisted by Mr.. Harry KaSley on the
cornet and a large chorus Of singers.
The meeting was presided over
by Rev. d. A. Cunningham, who,
after prayer and Scriptural reading
introduced Rev. J. w. Sawyer, who has
charge Of the Mission. Mr.. Sawyer
made some very pleasing and entertain
ing remarks, in the course Of which he
stated the object and aims Of the Mis-
sion, and gave many encouraging sta
tiSticS concerning its growth and the
good seed il was sowing. During the
last week, Mr.. Sawyer said, fully 1000
people passed in and out of the Mission.
He said his idea was TO keep
the hall open continually as
a sort Of evangeliStic exchange, where
men and boys might care TO 60 at will,
but up % the present time the mission
has been working on rather limited
finances, and many things that would
have tended TO the comfort of the at
tendantS had 10 be foregone. Yet with
all the good work that had been accom-
pliShed the mission was only $50 be-
hind, and he believed that sum would
soon be collected through the different
pastors.
The next speaker was Rev. c. w.
Gushing, who started out by saying that
there are 1000 young men in Wheeling
between the ages of Is and 30 years who
never entered any church, and ii was
/ for the benefit Of these young men that
the mission was largely established.
I Mr.. Gushing said he was thoroughly in
sympathy with the work, and regretted,
as did other pastors, that the work in
their large congregations prevented
them from giving more time TO the mat
ter. lie advocated the building OF
block especially designed for the noble
work, where beds, cheap luncheOnS and
other comforts might be extended.
ERey. w. II. Cooke made some re-
marks in harmony with those of the
previous speakers. and earnestly advo-
Gated the continuance OF the noble
work. He said he knew something OF
the practical workings of the mission,
aud explained them to the audience in
manner that left little doubt in their
minds as TO the reforms the mission was
accomplishing. The audience was well
held to the close.
REV. MR. AFFORD on FRIENDSHIP.
At the Third Presbyterian Church on
Sunday morning Rev. c. NJ. Afford
preached on Friendship, and cOmmenc-
ed by saying. What an honor to have
IAN interview with Gladstone, 10 be re-
ceiyed as friend Of Bismarck, or 10
/ say that the noble Lincoln was our
| friend. The grandest Of all is to be a
/ friend of Christ, 10 be chosen as 4 COM
panion, to enter into his life work, and
/ the promise of sharing his reward. The
apostles were obscure fishermen, but
| Christ made them fishers of men. His
open arms took in the group, made
Iunit. In time scholars, orators, philoS-
/ OpherS, and, statesmen, are drawn into
| the friendly group. Martin Luther. the
Monk Of Germany, enters, John Calvin,
| the clear thinker, John Knox, the bold
speaker, all come within this charmed
circle.
This is the marvel OF the ages, that
from the obscure fisherman has sprung
the mighty kingdom of Christ. The
electric chord Of divine love encircles
lall.
This friendship brings us all into the
school of Christ. We all need TO be in
structed, corrected and chaStiSed. We
need the file, chisel and hammer to take
of the rough edges, give US polish, and
shape US into something like ChriSt'S
ideal.
He is the best friend who tells your
faults 10 your face. The Savior chaS-
tises every son and daughter He re-
ceiveS. lie never loves us more than
when ne is pruning US of the dead
branches. The ancient Persian mon
archS selected the four best men in the
kingdom 10 train their coming rulers,
the wisest, Just, temperate and braveSt.
All these traits the friends Of Jesus
find, and as friends we come to be fitted
for our high calling in life. ChriSts
friendship eleyateS, the Christians
honorS Him, and makes them heirs with
Him and all his possessions. Obedience
is the test OF our love for Him. Men
think that feeling IS essential 10 their
salvation. They wait for this feeling
and il never comes. Obedience is the
rule of the kingdom, not feeling.
Christ did not say. if you feel like be-
lieying: but Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ. and thou shalt be saved" Many
men confess Christ in the church, prayer
meeting aud communion table; then, by
shameful conduct and neglect Of duty.
betray him to his enemies in the world.
Being friend OF Christ involves a
great responsibility, but 10 Is a glorious
honor and privilege. Let US do rs
Christ commands: Believe and confess
Him. and we will be called His friends.
FOURTH STREET METHODIST.
The Fourth Street NJ. E. Church was
filled with a large congregation last
night. To hear Rev. DR.. Cushing deliver
an interesting sermon on the "Prodigal
Son"
The history OF the prodigal son is
one of the most interesting and most
tender stories ever written. ne OOy
spoken Of in the Scripture lived in
Jewish home, surrounded by all the COM
forts which wealth affords, 'but be was
not satisfied. He was impatient OF
parental restraint, and was anxious to
leave home and do for himself. II is
unfortunate for persons TO be impatient
OF wholesome restraint, for ii always
bodies evil.
The object Of parental training Is TO
develop children into independence, so
that when they attain their majority,
they NAV be able 70 take care of them
selves. 1t is fortunate when parents
retain the respect OF their children, so
that their opinions are sought, even in
old age.
There is something rather noble in
the idea Of a young man longing for an
opportunity TO provide for himself. |
There is something manly about it; but
there is peril to every young man who
wants 10 break away from wholesome /
Influences, before he is able to take care !
OF himself.
There is something about the charac-
ter OF a profigate, which is naturally /