Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-09-14
TOPICS OF SUNDAY.
REV. D. A. CUNNINGHAM TALKS ENTERTAIN
lNsLY ABOUT SABBATHS ABROAD.
Practical Sermon by Rev. Dr.. Swop@A Live
Meeting at the Sawyer MiSsOn-0thsr
Services Of Yesterday.

There was large attendance at the
First Presbyterian Church, last even
ing, to listen to most excellent address
by the pastor, Rev. D. A. Cunningham,
who talked entertainingly OF recent
SabbathS spent abroad. The speaker
started out by saying that throughout
the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revela-
tiOns, God teaches man that he should
remember the holy Sabbath. And it
matters not where we travel, in what
part of the globe we are, there are
none of US who can escape Gods COM
mandments to keep the Sabbath holy.
On the morning of last Fourth OF
July we set sail for New York on the
steamer Ethiopia. We started
out under the most auspicious
circumstances as the weather was
charming on the day of our departure.
After awhile the purser of the steamer,
and by singular coincidence, he was
the same purser that ofiiciated on a
steamer In which went to Europe TO
religious convention in 1S77-aS | said,
he came to me and said it had been
decided that should preach
TO the passengers on the boat the day
following. There were seven other
ministers on board, and while | esteem
ed it an honor to be thus selected, | told
the purSer that after so short time at
sea my condition might be such that
could not do justice to the occasion.
Fortunately l was not sea sick.
arose on Sabbath morning as well as
though. had been at home. The SER
vices took place that morning at half
past ten o'clock and some 400 or 500 peo-
pie assembled. A gentleman from
Brooklyn was assigned to conduct the
singing, the instrumental music being
produced from stationary organ on
the steamer.
There is peculiar sensation when we
gather at sea for devotional exercises.
Being so far away from home, and shut
out from the view of land, the services
became doubly effective, and you will
see here and there a tear trickling from
the eye. Knowing the distracting
influences likely To arise on board
steamer, l endeavored that Sun
day TO present the gospel in its
simplicity. The pastor then went on
to relate how he met gentleman on
board who was largely interested in
railroads, and who was en- route for
European resort for the benefit OF his
son who was in poor health. Mr..
Cunningham said the father was not only
concerned about the health, but
the spiritual welfare of the son
as well. The TWO were earnest
listeners at that Sabbath service, and
during the voyage frequently met the
son, and we became fast friends. lie
asked me questions concerning the Cos
pei, and after many interesting CONVEX
SatiouS, he finally admitted before leav-
ing the steamer on the other side that he
felt deeply imbued with the spirit Of
Christianity. Don't YOU think that was
precious Sabbath To me? In the even
ing there were devotional exercises.
That was my first Sabbath out.
Go the following Sabbath we were in
Edinburg, Scotland. 1t was there that
we spent our first Sabbath on the other
shore. We enjoyed religious services
at the historic ST. Giles Church. The
established religion in Scotland is the
Presbyterian. In 1643 large body OF
ministers separated from the establish
ed church and formed what is known as
the Free Presbyterian Church, and
these two, with the United PreSbyter-
ian, form the three divisions that now
prevail. DR.. Cunningham spoke
at some length of the vocal and instru-
mental music in the churches. Ga one
occasion full military band of great
number of pieces furnished the instru-
mental melody, and from that great ag-
gregation, from which one would eX-
pect to hear loud and clamorouS sounds,
came, much 10 my surprise, music That
was low, sweet and soft And COM
bined with the most Skillful, trained
voices OF singers the service was beau
tiful and effective.
The pastor spoke OF going to hear
DR.. McGregor, widey-known ana elo-
ouent expUunder Of the Gospel. Al
this church there was no organ, but
choir of twenty-four voices There
were TWO or three thousand persons In
the congregation. There is a peculiar
ority Of the services there when con-
trasted with those here. They sing
three times before the sermon, ana nave
two chants and three prayers, all the
preliminaries occupying fully an hour.
On every Lords Day the intimationS OF
those who are TO be married are an
noupced from the pulpit. On the
evenings we were there about twenty
four announcements We're made.
On every Sabbath DAY at near
ly all the churches puollc
prayers were offered up for Mr.. Spur
econ. whose sickness has been so wide
ly heralded. After abiding briefly 20
GLASGOW, he spoke, at some length OF
the suburbs OF the great city where he
visited, and Of the two churches where
he was invited 10 preach. lie gave
prauhlc description OF peep at the
mission schools in Edinburg.
DIR. Cunningham closed his remarks
hy stating that there was one custom IN
churches there which he would gladly
Goa introduced here. At the close OF
the benediction all sit reverently down.
and after few moments of meditation.
the congregation passes out gradually,
often one or two at time, quietly and
reyerently. 1t sometimes takes ten
minutes or so for all TO pass out,
This custom prevails in all the
churches throughout Scotland, Eng
land and the north OF Ireland, Ia
America there is always what looks
like an irrevelant rush out of church
AZ the close of the benediction, al
though | trust it is revelant. The ser
mon throughout was very entertain
ing.
LIVE MEETING AT EvAAGELIsTIc HALL
The gospel meeting at the hall on
Market street was conducted by AIR. Z.
w. SAWYER last n sht. and was in every