Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-26
SERVICES.
Rev. Charles Edward Locke Takes
Leave of His Congregation.
DIR. S. q. KELLOGG GOING TO INDIA.
Rev. E. L. MCGUIRE Concludes Pastorate
of Three Years.
TOPICS TOUCHED UPON BY CITY PASTORS

Rev. Charles Edward Locke preached his
farewell sermon to the congregation of the
Smithfield Street NJ. E Church last even
ing. The church was packed to its utmost
capacity long before the opening of the
service. Tears and smiles were mingled
in this formal religious farewell
and the gathering eagerly pressed forward
at the close of the ceremonies to bid goodby
to the very popular clergyman. Nh. Locke's
closing sermon was on the subject, ''Christ
Jesus Drawing the World Unto Himself"
The text was from John 1922: Sand /, if L
be lifted UP from the earth, will draw all
men unto Me-" The reverend gentleman
said:
"The environment of the text shows that
Jesus Christ was approaching the climax of
his mission on the earth. In the tragedy of
Mount Calvary new force was projected
into the moral universe; a power by which
the affections of men were made to gravi-
tate toward the Christ The crucifxion of
Christ was the most suspicious event of the
age. The philosophy of the atonement can
not be fully eomprehended, but its vast
significance appears in the declaration of
the Savior that when he was lifted upon
Calvary's cross he would draw all men unto
him.
The March of Civilization.
''Was that not a most audacious claim on
the part of the lowly Nazarene? Yes, they
ridiculed and scorned, but what is the rec
ord of the years? The Roman Empire that
had impregnably fortified every promon-
tegrated in its foundations, and the Pagan
civilization of Theirs banks passed in to the
Christian empire on the green slopes of the
Bosphorus. The years hurried on and the
dra wing power of Calvary's sacrifice estab-
lished higher type of government on the
banks of the Thames. The uplift which is
thrilling the centuries still continues The
magt have again turned their eyes west
ward; star shimmers over the Mississippi
Valley, and here the loftiest civilization OF
the ages will prepare the earth for the conf
ing OF Christ.
''But let us analyze the drawing power of
Christ. Did you ever unbraid the sun
beams? If so, you have found not only
light but life, force and beauty. The splen-
DOR OF the rose is but the touch of q sun
beam. SO l would have you unbraid the
rays OF power beating from the throne of
risen Lord upon the earth. Jesus draws the
earth heavenwSrd because of the majesty of
purity-the purity of His own life and the
purity which His teachings inculcate. The
personal life of the author of The Light of
Asia and The Light of the World has been
corrupt our lofty Christian civilization has |
right to bring him to account. Writers
will not be tolerated to-day who wrote two |
centuries ago, such books as require
eIpurgated editions before we put
them in the hands OF our children. States |
manship has been elevated so that a great
leader loses his constituency and dies in
disgrace, when his personal life is contain
mated.
Drawing the Earth Heavenward.
"The Christ draws the earth heavenward J
because, further, Godliness is profitable
unto all men; on account of the refining
power of truth-and Christ is truth: because |
OF the Holy Spirit in His character OF guide
and comforter, and, lastly, because OF the |
sweet doctrine OF Immortality"
After the sermon, to which the vast as |
sembly listened with undivided attention, |
Rev. Mr.. Locke spoke some words OF Dart-
the kindly attention which has always been
given to my efforts from this pulpit. The |
OF unalloyed happiness. We have had'o our
Joys and sorrows, our successes and failures; |
and the memory of my associations here will
remain with me in all the future as linger-
ing perfume There must be nothing before
US but warfare. Win battlesi When the
Grand Army boys to the number of 5000 |
tramped the streets of the Capital City last |
week, to the music OF nfe and drum, it was |
the Pennsylvania contingent which drew
from the spectators the most vociferous ap- |
plause, because these soldiers carried the |
largest number of ragged and riddled and |
stained banners. Yes, in the grand review |
before the eternal throne conquest will |
bring honor. Let US permit the drawing In
fluence of our Redeemer to lift us to the |
highest ideals of manhood and womanhood, /
and prosperity here and heaven yonder will |
be our portion
Rev. Mr.. Ellis, of jamestown, N Y, will |
succeed Mr.. Locke pastor Of the Smith |
field Street NJ. e. Church