The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-08-25
Or. Monroe breaches an EIo-
quent Sermon
at the Dedication of Lee-street Metho-
dist Episcopal Church-C Christian Work
the Theme of His Discourse "a Collcc
tinn of 5000 Taken Up to Help Pay
for the Recent improvements.

tenance and impresscs tho observer
with the idea that he belongs to the
school Of theologians of tho jovial
Pennsylvania sort. Fully seventy years
of age, his hair is thin and gray, but he
possesses u robust figure
The church was we'll filed when the
doctor took his seat in the pulpit. a
quantity Of cut flowers adorned the
altar, but these were handed Off by the
preacher, an indication that when he
became warmed up in his sermon, such
frail things might not be lightly
handled.
Ills text was Every man shall re-
ceive his reward according to his own
labors" | Cor. 3S.
Three threads are distinguishable in
the fabric of the present age" began
the speaker, activity, inquiry and op-
portunity. SO rapidly do events pass
before us that it is impossible to apprc.
ciatc their grandeur. SO numerous and
varied are the inquiries that tho minds
of the statesman, the scientist and tho
theciogian are weary with study; and so
great are the opportunities for achieve
mcnts that the mind Of the spectator is
almost bewildercd. To the thoughtful
Christian such opportunities and perils
demand inquiry Us never before cXhib-
, tied in the church Of Christ. Less than
a century ago the whole world of Pagans,
Papals and Moslcms was sealed to the
Christian, whilst today changes are so
great that the darkness Of Asia is fading
before the light of ttr world. Japan
Will soon take her place among the
Christian nations. The gates of China
arc wide open. Africa is stretching out
her arms 10 God, and Turkey has dccrecd
religious liberation. and the Methodist
Episcopal Church invites the Italian in
the city OF Rome to her free seats. Paul
has planted, Apollo has watcrcd and God
calls the Christian TO gather AN increase
Let US this morning consider the
grandeur Of Christian work All true
work Is grand. The Christian is idcnt-
fled with gospel in which the whole
universe is interested and upon which
the salvation Of The race depends. The
great question with the Christian is,
What can do?' The painter paints
for q generation: the cgiptor cuts fig
urcs from marble that soon pcrishcs,
but VIC cut tho likeness OF Christ that
cndurcs forever. Every opportunity is
mine of wealth. Man can never stand
alone. He leans upon something. either
broken reeds, hopes, fears or the Eternal
Rock. Even his body is sensitive to tho
unpcrceived scnsibi.itY of electricity.
1t changes brittle thread into a nerve
thrill with the slightest emotion.
In this work is involved sclf-dcnial
The bible proceeds upon the principle
OF unsclfishness in rcgcncratcd hearts.
God develops Christianity through self
denial"
The eloquent preacher then spoke of
suffering and told how man if he
hris ,,it Il
be glorified together. He spoke of
giving for charitable objects for God,
and said one never knows the value of
gift until he gives as the widow who
gave her mite.
Faith" continued the speaker,
''evcn in common life is the conQuering
principle. In the bible we find faith laid
down rs the guide Of man. At no pre-
vious time have its truths been assailcd
as now Ten thousand thundcrs have
burst upon il, anu twice ten thousand
lightnings have flashed around its hoary
mead, but despite carths dying malice
and hells eternal rage, it has swept It's
pa,h Of storm through all time and
wrapping its mantle OF cloud around it
calmly looks out upon the world AS it
were the sun cncircled with rainbow"
Speaking OF activity, the preacher
continued, at is beautiful to see how
God has bound the world by it's varied
divcrsities, and by giving to each man
faculties for different work. We arc
surrounded on all sides by earnest
beings and thoughtful men talk OF
genius but there is no genius like that
Of activity and energy. 1t is the inccn-
tive TO Christian work and from it the
Christian accomplishcs grand results
The past is not utterly past. Every life
has an end as mountainous to it rs the
end Of the world for il places it immcdi-
atcly before the Judgment seat and sub
jects it to Gods eye. Its results are
grand because they are based on faith
in God Nations rise only 10 fall. Great
men shoot across the horizon like
neteors, but the Christian builds for
eternity.
christian libcrality puts itself in
sympathy with t0e great tide of uEivcr-
sal mercy which flows from the throne
of God and the lamb, encompassing
every island and washing every shore
1t forces the stream of its bounty far
upward above all the }iberaities OF
earth and pours it forth into the treasury
OF that universal empire, of which it is
written The Kingdoms OF this world
are the insdoms Of our God and Ills
Christ"
After the sermon collection was
taken up to defray the expense of en-
larging the church, which was stated
would cost about $500. Many liberal
contributions followed during the taking
up OF which the elegant preacher enter
tanned the congregation with numerous
anecdotes relative 10 Christ tan charity
The singing Of TIE choir was cspcc-
tally fine, and was led by w. c. Nycum
Miss Lou McEldowny presided at the
organ and rendered excellent music.