The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-05

have often remarked that the church OF
Jesus Christ, even il its relation to the future
world was entirely eliminated. Ia the grandest
institution the world has ever seen to produce
men and women of character and noble parts.
no young man is therefore safe who ignores its
privileges and principles. He may appear to
get along fairly well, even If he does not attend
It's services, but such 10 the case in spite Of not
because OF his absence from its halls.
sincerely hope. therefore, that you will all
neip me to do ali can to make the young men
OF Seattle feel that the pastor of the First Pres
oyterian church is their friend, and desires to
aio them in every proper way to live high and
nooie life The opportunities for young men OF
integrity, virtue, religion in this Western
country are simply unlimited. Every young
man has field here for the de-
velopment of his latent abilities that
IL not possible to those who remain
In the East. Let US not forget that every young
man has one life to ennobie or degrade, and
only one. Oh, how foolish it is to throw away
tnat one opportunity as every one does who
spends his time in the haupts OF vice and the
highways of pleasure.
But must draw to a close. Do not fail, my
friends, to encourage me by your faithful and
regular attendance upon the services OF the
church. Do be kind enough to come, even il it
may be in some instances at the expense of
some personal inconvenience, to the evening as
Wei as the morning service That was grand
gathering this morning. aud here again this
evening you have crowded the house This is
az 1t should be. Keepit up. My success will
largely depend on you. full church brings
out OF a minister, especially If he breaches ex-
temporaneously, at least twice as much in the
way OF power as church where empty pews
stare him in the face. l am one OF those to
whom large audience Is wonderful stimulus
You will find this out if you put it to the test as
am sure you will
Do not allow your devotion to church attend
ance to be influenced by certain sermons or
subjects Be prepared to expect that some ser
mons will prove less interesting than others.
The minister himself does not succeed in get
ting en- rapport with every subject. A great
many elements enter into the success of a serv-
ice. The pastor must be thoroughly prepared.
He ought to be ashamed of himself if he is not
But SO should the hearer. 1t is no less incum-
bent Oh the pew to come prepared to listen than
it Is on the pulpit to come prepared to preach.
1t Is easy to preach to prepared aud expectant
congregation.
Again, physical conditions have much to do
In both speaker and hearer with results in any
service. If either party's liver be out of order
everything will fall below par that day.
To deliver his sermon WELL the preacher must
be well. To enjoy the sermon well, the hearer
must be ditto.
Again, all subjects are not equally interesting
Some themes arouse the speaker far more than
Others. The same is true OF the auditor. In
large sense the minister in bringing spiritual
food into the sanctuary is not unlike the caterer
of d first-class hotel. He has many and varied
tastes TO crafty. II would not be surprising If
at every repast he fails to suit the palate OF
many and to reach the ideal of all. As the
secre. OF success and happiness IN the married
state is the presence of the bears-bear and
forbear-in the family circle, SO is it between
pastor and people. No discordant note will
ever be struck where these two bears are per-
manent guests.
If you will hold up my hands, by overlooking
my faults and giving me tokens of encourage
ment when l succeed in doing that which is
worthy your commendation, you will get out of
me the best that is in me. however little that
may be. am one OF those who will work night
and day for people who make me feel they
love me, and impress me with the fact that they
appreciate my labors and desire to encourage
me. II q sermon OF a service proves a blessing
to your soul do not be afraid to say so in kind
and tender way.
Do not fear that your minister will be offended
or made vain by your doing so. II such were the
result OF your kindly words. he would by no other
means provo more effectually his unfitness to
DO your pastor. true minister of Jesus Christ
does not wish to be flsttered. But a word OF
approval is not f1attery.
And now, in conclusion, let us start out to-
gether. resolved to make this church tho grand
est power for good among the Presbyterian
churches of the Pacific coast. There is no rea-
son why we may not double our membership in
half dozen years if We lave but a single
thought between U.s.
If we stand together as q devoted band of
Christian workers, what q power for good We
shall continue to be.
All the denominations in this city must
greatly add to their numbers in the coming
years. as the city advances in population. We
only want our share 1t becomes us to be faith
full in our portion of the vineyard. All the
branches OF the church OF Christ in seattle will
be the stronger and the more powerful for good
on the unchurched masses that every individ-
ual church fails not in the discharge OF its
duty, for the apostle putting il conversely, says
'If one member of tho body suffers the whole
body suffers with it."
have come among you, nv dear friends, be-
cause have confidence in God, confidence in
and state.
have no doubt whatever that in this parish
/ shall be surrounded by thorough going men
and women who shall show their faith by their
works; who shall throw the same zeal ana en-
thusiasm into their church work as they do
into their business. The same elements of push
and enterprise which have made this city what
it is which have made it 80 great and powerful
In such brief period of time, will, ii sanctfed
By Divine Grace, do the same for Zion. What a
wo'k is before Us here who can tell. How
many churches we may have part in ORGANIC
ing and aiding to selfsupport we cannot this
evening declare
come hero from the grand old East because
believe that can do more by many times dur
ing the rest OF my ministry than l could posi-
bly, do where I have come from. We have here
the grandest elements for success. Here are the
young and middie-aged men and women of
Eastern antecedents: men and women of edu-
cation, culture, refinement, many OF them grad
yates OF our best schools, colleges and UNIVERSE
ties, on whose shoulders rest the affairs of to-
day and tomorrow. Let us build wisely and we
shall build securely and well.
Doubtless we shall here repeat, If not greatly
surpass. the growth of other modern cities u.s.
for example, Minneapolis. ST. Paul. Omaha
Denver and Chicago. The increase OF Miuneap
oils during the decade OF $4,000 was 40 GO1 and
OF ST. Paul 10000. Omaha was about the same
in the growth Of its population. while Denver
did not lag behind. After the fire 1s7D Chicago
had about 80 600; today she claims a million
more And yet these are inland cities. Here
we have n city by the sea Does not history show
that such city has facilities for growth, espec-
tally when backed by state like Wilmington
the Pennsylvania OF the West--far surpassiug
any interior municipality Seattle is destined
I believe, to become the New York city OF the
Pacific coast Nor do base my conclusions on
statements made at random or by its own inhab-
itants ! have bad intercourse and comnunica-
ton with many reliable authorities entirely ont
side OF Seattle, large men of the East who have
visited the town.
And what have found? l have yet to dis.
cover the person who has not EXPRESSED himself