The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-25
DIR. DowMAN's LAST SERMON.
he Will Leave For His New Field of
Duty This Week.

Duty This Week.
Rev. Charles. z. bowman, D. D..
preached the last sermon of his three
years pastorate at Wesley Monumental
church yesterday morning. He did not
preach a farewell sermon, but devoted
himself to the topic Of the day and its
meaning to humanity. His text was:
For unto you is born this day in the
city of David Saviour, which is Christ
the Lord" Luke 2: IL.
DIR. Down an spoke of the uncertainty
Of the exact date of Christ's birth, but, he
said, this is of slight Importance. He dis
cussed the modern methods of celebrat-
ing Christ's birthday with fireworks, dis
sipation and general extravaganza This,
he said, is not proper way to celebrate
Christmas. Christmas giving and the
wise and benevolent directions which
may be given it were touched upon at
some length.
Every gift" said DIR. bowman.
''should betoken the love of God and the
gift of his son."
The following is brief synopsis of DIR.
Dowman's sermon:
The "Gloria in Excelsis," first sung by
the angels over Bethlehem's peaceful
plains, was new note in the ears of men.
On earth, "peace" was a prophecy of the
purpose of the reign of him who of old
was called the Mighty God, the Ever
lasting Father, the Prince of Peace'
Though oftimes sung in war and strife:
though chanted in bigotry and pride, yet
oftenest caroled by pure and happy
children, it has been projected over the
hilltops of darkness, like the first rays of
the rising sun giving promise of the fuller
day.
W. ,,ood - 49, li..1. -. - -
terry of the incarnation. In fact, we
know but little. ''In the beginning was
the word" "And the word was
God" "And the word was made flesh.
God in man, and man holding, enshrining
God If l should talk about the hypostatic
union nobody would understand it
any better. Why stagger at the mys-
tery2 Is not every living thing an incar-
nationl Even things without life express
the souls of the creators-e. G. the pic
ture-the sculpture-the building. Ac-
cording to pagan pantheism all nature
was but the expression of God. Each
stream was peopled with nymphs, each
wood with dryads; the sea, the air, the
mountains, the stars, etc, all were gods.
But in the incarnation of his son God
has surpassed all the feeble theophanies
of paganism as the light of the sun sur
passes the twinkling light of the fading
stars.
For unto you is born a Saviour.
This was appropriate; we can see, at
least, in part.
/. Because God would use man in the
work of human redemption. So, he takes
him at his birth, and before his birth-to
make him the vehicle of his love.
2. Because. God would come to man in
a way that must win his confidence,
awaken his sympathy, enlist his co-opera-
ton, and make him understand his rela-
ton. Witness two scenes: The wonder
ing shepherds and the adoring magi
around his manger-cradle, and Simeon's
'nunc dimittis' in the temple, at Jacobs
we'll, at Caesrea-Phillippi, at the grave Of
Lazarus, on the cross, ecce homo! ecce
deus
3. Because birth, life, growth, best illus
trate the processes of the kingdom of
God, in its outward manifestation, and in
its inward workings. 1t 'cometh not
with observation.
4. Because God would glorify mother
hood, and eXalt human birth in the re-
gard of men "Every birth is an incar-
nation" A spirit finds hands to minis
ter, feet to run, a voice to sing, eyes to
weep, and heart to feel. Over every
birth the angels might sing, and of every
child it could be said, "a savior is born. Z"
DR.. Bowman will leave for Americas
Wednesday, where he will take charge of
the Americas district as presiding elder
His family will leave this week for
Quincy, Fla, to spend some time with
relatives.
DR.. Dowman's departure from Savan-
nah causes general regret, not only among
his own congregation. bat among the citi-
zens generally. He has labored faithfully
and earnestly during his three years
passionate of Wesley Monumental church,
resulting in great benefit to the church,
both spiritually and materially He
easily took high rank as a profound
thinker and sound theologian, and the
soundness of his views upon all questions
which he undertook to discuss was gen.
orally acknowledged. He was highly es-
teemed by his brother ministers, without
regard to denomination, and took lead
ing part in the work of the Ministerial
Association. He was always glad to
make use of the newspapers for beneficial
purposes, but studiously avoided all APP
pearance of seDsationalism.
Rev. A. M. Williams, who will succeed
DR. bowman in the pastorate of Wesley
Monumental church, is one of the leading
divines of the South Georgia conference,
and has had a number of important
charges in his care since entering the
ministry He is a graduate of the Uni
versity of Georgia, and was classmate
Of 5. B. Adams, Esq, of this city.
Rev j. o. A. Cook, who will take charge
ofTrinity is also prominent member of the
conference, who has made for himself
reputation as devoted and successful
minister
The new pastors will arrive this week,
and will preach their first sermons next
Sunday.