The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-08
Rev. Benjamin Parsons breaches Thit
GOSPEL In New Field.

The services conducted by Rev. Benja-
min Parsons yesterday forenoon in CHS
holm's hall, at No. sis Front street, were
the first of like services which are to be
held in the future every Sunday at IL 8. m.
They were well attended. and the spirit of
the congregation was such as to indicate
that this new endeavor on the part of Mr..
Parsons starts under favorable auspices.
In addition to his spiritual work in this
field. Mr.. Parsons has become the editor
of the Puget sound department of the
Central West, q religious weekly which is
published at Omaha. having branch depart
ments at Denver and Seattle. He chose
for his theme yesterday the simple gospel,
"Christ and Him Cruciied," taking as his
text Paul's magnificent resolve commune
Gated to the Corinthians: "For I deter
mined not TO know anything among you
save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. -
/. Cor, liz. He said substantially:
My first written sermon in English and my
first in the Armenian language were founded
upon these words of st. Paul. I can think of
no text more appropriate for my first sermon to
this my new congregation and in our present
new and inviting surroundings.
Here we are today in the very center of the
crowded business quarter of the city, on a
much frequented thoroughfare two miles in
length, and no church edifce upon it. The
Young Mems Christian Association, near Pike
street, with its specialized and limited modes of
operation. Chaplain Rees lsbors for seamen, a
little struggling mission and the Salvation
Army down in the Whitechapel district, COM
prise about all of the Evangelical machinery
that is manifestly operating for the spiritual
benefit of the many thousands OF persons that
live and move and have their being and bust
,frrt
these hard times, in the large section Of the city
bounded by Elliott bay on the one side and
Front or Second street on the other.
Ii is for the manifold benefit OF this large and
spiritually uncared-for population, whose souls
are infinitely precious in the estimation OF that
God. who is love, that we have opened this hall
today, and propose 10 do all that lies in our
power to make the services in all proper ways
inviting and healthtul 20 all who can be in
duced to attend In 50 far as the movement is
of God-all will be well.
AsI survey our situation and conditions as a
young and vigorous city, and compare these
with those of Corinth in the days of the apostle.
am profoundly impressed with the importance
of giving prominence here and now to the same
grand theme, Christ and Him Crucifed,"
which be so bravely emphasized in his preach
ing 10 the Corinthians
A few words about Corinth: Consider il, ad-
mirable situation; its commercial importance;
O place Of great mental activity; hence its fame
as the seat OF vast and various learning; its
wealth 50 great as 10 be proverbial; so also the
vice and profigacy OF the people: the worship
Of Venus. gladiatorial contests, public games
the whole population stepped in iniquity and
corruption. II was in such apparently adverse
and uninyiting circumstances that Paul endeay-
ored. and successfully, TO execute his resolute
purpose not to know, that is, not TO appear TO
know, nor, indeed. 10 make known anything
among them save Jesus Christ and Him cruci-
fed" And Why / reply:
First-Becsuse Of the speculative excellence of
Christ contemplated simply and solely as man.
In the comparison OF Him as man with the
highest specimens OF man which the popular
orators OF Corinth could exhibit or name, what
immense advantage had the spostlel
Secoud-Because of his adorable nature and
character a. the Son of God
.No mortal can with Him compare,
Among the sons OF men:
Fsirer is lie than all the fair
That I'LL the heavenly train"
Third-Bccsuse Christ, and Christ a. cruciHsd,