Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-09-04
UNITY HAS A PASTOR
Dr. n. Digby Johnson Installed
With Solemn Services
SERMONS AND ADDRESSES
Delivered hy f1cauens Unitarian
Preachers and Pss,nainens Lay men-
ia. Johnstoa's Respon-c.

The Rev H. Digby Johnston Sas for
maily installed as pastor II Unity church
yesterday. the solemn aud dignlfied ser
vices being held in the club house OF the
Ladies Literary society. A large son
gregation was present The Rev. b. l.
Hosmer IL Chicago. secretary OF the
Western Uuitarisn congress. the kes. j..
I. Sunderland II Am Arbor and the
lev. r. W. \. Hugenboltz. pastor OF the
Holland Unitarian church ia this ,aty.
assisted in the ceremonies The Rev.
II. +. Root was unable % be present.
The program IL the exercises was essen
italy similar 10 that published ycsier-
day morning. DIR. Sunderland read the
scriptural lesson. and offered an invoea-
tion % the throne % grace. T.. q. ID.
Holden, secretary III the board 81 tfus-
tees. read the call and the letter Ut ac-
eeptance. Mrs l. NJ. Turner. president
81 the board 81 trustees. then delivered
an eloquent address welcoming the
pastor 10 his new charge. She paid a
tribute Go the devotion anu sacrifice OF
the pastor. but insisted that these alone
are Insufficient TO give him the influence
and power that should be his Ills faith
and enthusiasm, she held. are far more
potent in bringing 10 the souls of men
the peace and good will that are the
grandea blessings 10 humanity.
Thc'charge 10 the people was deliy.
cred by DR. Sunderland. who urged
faithfulnees at all times q the-pastor.
Ii Is not his work. but their work. and
they. ~ all Others, shonld feel the sense
81 responsibility DIR. Sunderland eulo-
gized the Unitarian creed, and paid q
tribute % It's place IN the great evolu
ton Of religious thought
Dr. Hcsmcr's Sermon.
Dr. Hosmer. who delivered the morn.
ing sermon. took his text from john
xlii;i > Hear. l beseech thee. aud |
will speak: will demand OF thee and
declare thou unto me. i have heard d
thee by the hearing OF the ear. but now
mine eve seeth thee The theme Of the
sermon was that the things which are
spiritual are far greater than the things
that are temporal; that the things I'M
seen are more potent than the things
seen. even though We do not appreciate
their influence and effects. The con.
yenthonalities Of life arc not 10 be dis
regarded. but their influence is passing
They are only the reflection OF the great
hidden forces. We conform 90 them
but they are Of little Importance in com
parison with the great truths which lie
unseen. lie. too. eulogized the Unitarian
faith. unrimmed. IA he said. by any
crcedsl boundaries. and limited only by
possibilities OF the human soul. The
benediction was pronounced by the
newly installed pastor.
At the evening service. the Rev +. w
y. Hugenholtz read the scripture lesson
and offered the prayer DIR. Sunder
land delivered an impressive charge IL
the pastor. reminding him OF the mag
nificent possibilities for good in the
calling and the uneircumscribed intiu.
ence ~ his work The Rev. IA. Digby
Johnston then delivered an address IL
the congregation. lie said he didn't
come as an ethical teacher; nor as q
sociological leader; nor as professor Of
literature; but "a a religious teacher
by religion. he meant sweetness. gentle
hess, meekness goodness. mercy aud
love. as applied to business, politics
domestic life and in the fields ot indus
try. He said his motto is II serve.
and he hoped to devote his life in the
service of these.