Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-18

INV%W
JUSTICE STRONG.
nor in that of DIR. Roberts was there any special
reference to particular matters coming before
the assembly. Or. Smith asked that the spirit
of wisdom. the spirit Of grace and the spirit OF
love rule over all the deliberations.
Following DR.. Smiths prayer an anthem was
sung by the choir.
The Moderator's Sermon.
When the anthem was sung DR.. Bartlett
advanced and announced simply: 1.-THE sermon
will now be delivered by the moderator, Rev.
DR.. William c. Young"
DR.. Young advanced to the desk, placed his
eyeglasses on the bridge Of his nose while he
read the text, then closed the Bible, dropped his
glasses and proceeded with the delivery of his
sermon on the glory Of the Christian church.
He used no manuscript and affected few
gestures. but spoke plainly and forcibiy.
When DIR. Young spoke earnestly and en-
phatically of the standards Of the Church, de-
claring that though the PRESBYTERIAN church
welcomed scholarship and investigation it ac-
cepted the W. ole Bible the word of God, that
no distinction to truthfulness could be
made between different parts of the Book. the
most intense interest was manifested in his
words, and when he proclaimed that from be-
ginning to end the Bible is the word Of God.
he was interrupted by applause, many
of those in the gathering clspping their hands.
This unusual manifestation gave evidence that
DIR. Young voiced the sentiment Of Q large
majority Of his hearers. When he finished his
forceful reference to the progressive move
ment there was another burst Of applause.
Ihe text OF his sermon was as follows:
DIR. YOUNG's SERMON.
The Address With which the Assembly Was
Opened.
Following is the text Of the sermon delivered
at the opening Of the Presbyterian genera, as
sembly this morning by the moderator, Rev.
DIR. William c. Young Of Danville. Ky.
"And in the days of these kings shall the God
Of heaven set up q kingdom which shall never
be destroyed; and the kingdom shah not be
left to other people but it shall break in pieces
and consume all these kingdom 6, and it shall
stand forever. Daniel, ii, ~
"And I say also unto thee, that thou art
Peter; and upon this rock l will build nv
church; and the gates Of hell shall not prevail
against it."-Matthew, XVI, Is.
This time, place and circumstances of our
meeting here today appeal strongly to our
patriotism as well as to our piety, and give to
our thoughts and feelings scarcely less q civic
than religious character
The city itself, the seat OF our national gov
ernment. where SO much OF its wonderful his
tory has been made. fragrant with the memory
of many OF our wisest and noblest statesmen;
its lovely parks, with their commemorative
statues and monuments; its palatial homes; its
magnificent public buildings and glorious Capt.
tol; the presence with us of our honored chief
magistrate, all unite to make vivid and strong a
sense OF our countrys progress and greatn ess
and to awaken within us sentiments of inte Ms
est patriotic pleasure and pride
These feelings are greatly strengthened by
the scenes which we have witnessed on our way
hither. and by our knowledge that scenes Of a
like character are day by day occurring, and
will for weeks and months continue to transpire
all over our vast and favored land.
From every part of this continent, from every
quarter Of the earth. as we sit here, countless
multitudes are pouring in ceaseless streams
toward our western metropolis, the Minerva
city. which, though born. as it were, yesterday,
now sits. a radiant queen, with a million and a
half inhabitants, upon the shores Of our great
tideless unsalted sea.
The goal Of this mighty pilgrimage is not the
city itself, wondrous though she be. but a
group o: marvellous, matchless buildings within
existence at the waving Of some wizards wand.
GRAND COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.
These buildings, with their varied, precious
contents, constitute the Columbian exposition,
q national display which IS never been eaualed
hpou tuib "ltulu tuOS0 vast ana superb
structures can be vividly traced the progress
Of American civilization from the time when
the bark OF the Genosse sailor touched its
shores till now; within them can be seen repre-
sentative specimens Of the inexhaustible re-
sources. the countless productions, the varied
Inventions the priceless arts and sciences Of
country which as to wealth, freedom and power
stands, confessedy. first upon earth.
Combine In one comprehensive view all these
scenes and objects, and who, sensitive to what
the Greeks called the genius Of the place, who,
appreciatiye OF human progress, wealth.
beauty and glory, does not feel his heart throb
with patriotic pride and exultation and is not
ready, from the depths Of . grateful soul, to
exclaim:
Thank God, I. too, am an American citizen.
All this is part of the heritage to which was
born"
Taking advantage of the currents in which
Gods providences are thus directing our
thoughts and feelings, wish, as suggested by
the two passages Of Scripture which l have Sc
lected for my text, to call your attention to
spiritual society or government in comparison
with which, as regards all that constitutes real
glory, the Persia of Cyrus, the Rome Of Au-
gustus. the empire of Charlemange, yea this
great American republic, are not worthy to be
mentioned
Existing ages before as to its essential char
acter, In Its present and perfected form and
organization it was founded by Jesus Of Nazs-
reth nearly 1.e00 years ago.
In the Bible, which is at once its charter and
constitution. it is presented under various
names and appelations. each designed and
adapted to make vivid and clear some one Of its
many vital features and characteristics. Thus
tbs called, The pillar and ground Of truth, -
"Ihe body OF Christ, ""The kingdom Of heaven
and OF God" "The bride of Christ. A." "The
church of the living God
1T WAS in its interests that the chariot Of
heaven made 80 many visits to this earth of
ours and that the Son of God tabernacled.
suffered and died among men.
1t Is contrasted with the kingdom Of darkness,
and its subjects are described as having been
translated out OF the kingdom Of darkness into
the kingdom Of Gods dear Son.
That this kingdom or spiritual society is the
direct subject of the wondrous declarations
made In our text, no one, think, has ever
questioned.
Over the detailed Interpretation the verbal
exesesis OF the two passages, especially the last
long and fierce controversies, we well know,
have been waged. But III their general mean
ing and application as presenting most i'm