The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-05-07

The fourth anniversary OF Rev. War.
rem &. Partridge as pastor Of the Penn
Avenue Baptist church, was ap-
propriately commemorated during
tho several services held at the
church yesterday. Tho growth in
membership and general advance
ment of the church during the
four years pastorate shows indeFatiga-
bic efforts on the part OF both, the pas
tor aud the congregation.
In the four years there have been re.
ceived lj3 members into the church.
3O3 of whom were received on confes-
sion OF faith and baptised. During the
four years $50, 600 have been raised for
all purposes. and tho membership has
grown until the commandments now
number 900 persons
Considerable money has been spent
in remodeling and beautifying the
whole interior OF the edifce
THE MOTHER OF FOUR CHURCHES,
Tho Penn Avenue church Is the
mother Of four congregations the First
German, North Main avenue. Green
Ridge and DlnmOre Baptist churches
Two years ago the mission at Green
Ridge was organized into the present
congregation by giving letters tC
seventy uersou3, then members OF the
Penn Avenue church. They now have
membership Of 40 and settled pas
tor. a pastor was settled at Dunmore
one year ago and the mission will
probably BE- organized into a church
before the end OF tho year
Yesterday the Penn Avenue church
WAS handsomely decorated with n1w-
ers. A double quNrtette furnished the
music and during the oGertOry Choris-
ter John T. Watkins ssug in solo ms
King In the evening Rev. Mr. PART.
ridge began a series Of lectures on
The Future Life. " the theme beiug
Heaven as a Place" A number oil
singers augmented tho regular church
quartetto
The morning subject was from th,
text. Psalms 9l.l. "He that dwellstl
in the secret place Of the most high
shall abide under tho shadow Of the
Almighty In abstract tho diacours,
was AS follows
Tho tsxt Ia designed as motto foi
each member OF the church for the
coming year Tho text was probably
written by Moses COMMUNICATING Tho
experience OF the children of Israel in
their wanderings through the wilder.
ness
There are two kinds of Christians
some who, like Peter, follow Christ
afsr of there are others who are such
intimate friends OF the Master that II
faith. like John, they rscline theii
heads upon His bosom
We can abide in the secret place o
the most high by dovout Bible Study
Tho scriptures arc the letters OF out
| heavenly Father addressed to hi.
children God reveals HE secrets &.
praycriul students u the word "rh,
secret OF the Lord Is with them iha
fear him aud ha will show them lin
covenant" The Saviour said ell,
that doeth My will shall know OF "a,
doctrine %
COMMUNION WITH con.
The secret place Of tho most hirl
implies tho privilege OF communIoi
with God In prayer. Many kinds q
| friendships exist la tho world. Bul
ness friendship IL founded upor
seliishncss and endures "a long a. il i
I profitable. There are many poutica
friendships that last ~ long NJ there Il
an equitable division OF the spolls
There are many social frienlships tha
are broken up on tho first social slight
Such friendships are not based upol
abiding confidence. In such friend
ships bosom secrets are not rovealel.
Some people hava ouly busues
acquaintance with God they i5iu tha
church which holds out tho highest IN,
ducements TO assist them ia business
politics or society Code word saws
'Acquaint thyself with God Abraham
was called the friend OF God Enocl
was on such intimate terms with Jeho
yah that 1t is said Eaoch walked wilt
God
THE secret place Of prayer is wher
the Heavenly Father reveals His g.
crsts to His faithful children Tn
true Christian suonld pray withou
ceasiug; he should live in world o
prayer
THE true believer can know som. o
tho secrets Of Gods purposes aud plan
Of grac9
Very few business men reveal thei
secrets II they do not keep Their
counsols they fear to be- outwittod
but wise msn will impart his privat
business affairs 20 trusted wife or
discreet son Their love and inlimac,
scuro many conhlences. God reveal
his purposes OF grace to mis- tru
frIenis The heavenly father appalr
to have impaired 10 William Cary. IN
apostle OF modern missions, that it wa
the divine intention 20 convert II Heathe
nations to knowledge OF the tru
God.
The text teaches that the Christia
has the insstimable privilege OF livin
near to God A little child must wal
very closely beside its father to hay
the protection of his shadow. The be
lever who walks hand in hand will
his God can abide undor he shadow o
his Almighty Father