The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-05
HuNTINGToN's FAREWELL.
The Distinguished Divine's Closing
Address Sunday Evening.


Rev. FIR. J. O. s. Huntington closed his
labors at ST. Stephens Church last even
ing and packed congregation assembled
to listen to his closing words. He spoke
OF the mission Jabors and exhorted his
hearers to continue the work he has be-
gun. His final message in substance was
this:
although this mission is ended | am
seeking to extend and perpetuate its infiu-
ence. am speaking to those who have
felt the pressure within them OF the words
that have here been spoken.
"What thoughts are in your breasts az
you gather at this mission to-
night? These things are true
of many OF you. There has come to you
sense of need, consciousness Of weak
ness. You have wanted God. Nothing
else can satisfy you. Man or woman, boy
or girl, you want one who is unspeakable,
true and strong. You want him as the
child wants his father.
"There has come to you a sense that
God is not far away. He hears your
lightest whisper. You have felt God near
you in this mission. / have not appealed
to your emotions during these meet
ings. You have felt that you are not
afraid, for God has been near. You woke
up to the consciousness that you have some
habit that you cannot break, perhaps.
"There has been one other sense, q
warmer sense OF fellowship. Families
have been knit together that before were
parted. There has been q feeling Of
brotherhood.
''Such being your feelings, what do you
want? Brotherhood, unity with God. 1t
is q large task TO construct brotherhood,
but Il must be done. After all, 1t would
be rather hopeless work to make a
family in which all the world
would find its place. The
manufacture of denomination is almost
at an end. In this mission I-have tried to
bring home to you the fact that God has
not done his work by half. He has not
made soul and failed to provide il with
a home. The church is just that brother
hood and God made it. No
man could have made it. 1t is the family
of all Gods children. There is in it that
brotherhood that can unite all. 1t is not
mere enthusiasm that impels me to be-
lieve this. The light of the church
has been continuous and un-
broken. The kingdom of heaven
is at hand. Win you not believe it?
could not end my message without telling
you that God has answered your need. 1t
may seem preposterous to some that say
that this Episcopal Church is
the great family of God. You
are inclined to disparage the
efficiency OF the church. You say it and
you believe it. But we Episcopslians are
not in ourselves the church. We are not
an integral part OF it. The church is
Christ. This brotherhood must be COM
posed of some who are not loyal to its
vows, for its function is to reform as well
as to instruct.
"This family cannot be torn asunder nor
destroyed, for 1t is of Christ. 1t
NAV be torn with dissensions,
but it will last, for Christ will
last. You cannot destroy that kingdom
for Christ will last. Thank God, l do not
have to make new church. only have
to find one. The Lord has made church
that can not be overcome.
Which society has lived from year to
year an unimpeachable life? There is one
and il would grind this nation to powder.
"Either there is no representative OF
that great family of God in America or it
is here in this church. This kingdom in
which we claim our citizenship OF God
has its dangers, the world, the flesh
and the devil, and against these we
must battle. In the world there is too
much of luxury warning against the spirit.
The flesh wars against the family. IL
there is no such family there Is no stay
for your motherhood, your fatherhood nor
your brotherhood.
"You 60 out from this mission pledged
to restrain all your desires. You can do
1t. God never asks impossibilities OF any
man. But you must fight. There is but
one crown Of virture and that is persever-
ance."