Arizona republican., 1893-10-10
DEVOTED TO CHRIST.
Ordination of a Young PreSby-
terrain Minister.
Notable Ceremony in One of Phoe'
nix Churches-Sermon Song
and Salvation.

Very Aattering indeed must have
seemed the congregation that assembled
in the Presbyterian church Sunday
evening to witness the ordination OF
Thomas G. Moffitt to the ministry. All
professions, trades and occupations ap-
peared to be represented. tnrongs OF
pretty ladies meanwhile looking their
best in fashions latest frills and furbe-
lows. The large choir of male and
female voices was ably reinforced by a
string and instrumental band, among
whom one pretty miss deity drew a
bow while another accompanied on the
melodeon. Several instrumental Sc
lections were rendered, we'll trained
male quartette sang most agreeably
whilst the entire choir and the congre-
CATION sent up such hearty bursts OF
song that the angels must have known
the solemn yet delightful cause of their
rejoicing.
Pastor Mckinney explained the
nature of the ceremonies, pointing out
Parson Moffitt's nine years course of
study in preparation for his life work !;
two years in school, four years at col
lege and year each in Union Theolo-
gical seminary, New York, Mccormick
seminary, Chicago and the ministerial
cloisters of Edinburg, Scotland. Last
weeks washout delayed the candidates
arrival so that the Presbytery could not
in body confer the ordination degree.
This duty was delegated to a commits
sion consisting of Pastor Mckinney
and Rev. G. R. Nugent, of Tom bstone.
A thoughtful, scholarly serman was
delivered by the ecclesiastical neophyte,
who took for his text those words of
Jesus to Peter. from John xxi, %,
Follow Thou Me-" After referring to
the very human character of Peter, in
his i'm petuosity, zeal and critical fail
ures, he explained the various mean
ings of the word follow" as under
stood among the Greeks, Hebrews and
men of the present day. The youthful
disciple dwelt upon the results in
volved in faithfully following Christ,
showing how each one thereby partici-
pated in his sacred character, in his
earthly work of Joy, danger and sorrow,
and in his glorious destiny of life ever
lasting.
Pastor Mckinney asked the formal
interrogatories prescribed by the church
government and solemnly declared how
the candidate was about to assume the
greatest office upon earth. The latter
then knelt and the commission laid
their hands upon his head while divine
blessing was invoked upon the solemn
act at that time in progress. On rising.
both ministers grasped their young
friends hand and cordially welcomed
him into the Presbyterian ministry.
Rev. G. R. Nugent delivered an ad-
dress, pleasantly prefacing his re-
marks with allusion to the easy lines
opening for youthful ministers, who are
welcomed by old and young, while the
yellow legged chicken and best house
hold preserves are cheerfully offered in
their honor. But serious work, almost
appalling in its grandeur. comes soon
enough. The speaker then likened the
universe to those ancient palimpsests
or manuscripts which once engraved
with truths vital to the world, were
smoothed over and again impressed
this time with Pagan philosophy
Only after many centuries did labori.
GUS Christian scholars finally succeed
in Interpreting the original writing and
thus establish the Christian church
upon its divine foundations. So, added
the reverend gentleman, must every
minister interpret nature to mankind