The Washington times., 1894-11-05
PASTOR THEN, BISHOP now
Rev. John Z. Newman's Sermon at
the Metropolitan n. E. Church.
TKENTY-PIFTH ANNIVERSARY
Graphic Description Of the Scene of the Or
ganizatIon Quarter of a Century Age
President Grant and Many Other NOtables
Were PFessnt-seryices This Week.

Pleasant memories of Bishop John P. New
mans former pastoral relations to the Metro
politan NJ. L. Church were refreshed in the
minds OF the members of that parish yester-
day on the occasion OF the celebration of the
twenty-fifth anniversary of the organization
OF the church The bishop preached me-
mortal sermon in the morning; there was
Sunday-school and Epworth League anniyer-
sary service at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and
az 1880 the bishop presided at the church
anniversary meeting. The church was
crowded to its utmost capacity at each sery-
iae. and there was great interest manifested
in the exercises.
Preceding the morning service Prof. J. R.
Gibson rendered the following selections on
the chimes:
Jubilee Ivy Bells peal, changes on all the
/ bells: Creation -sclections, Haydn: Ring
Out, Wild Bells. Mrs. Abby Hutchinson Pat
ton; Lead, Kindly Light" Bishop Newman;
Lord in the Morning. Thou shalt Hear,
Warwick - 0"Monastery Bells Brides
March from Lohengrin. /" "When Peace Like
River" "Old Coronation" saint Mar
tins" Schubert's ave Marie, Nearer,
My God, TO Thee Italian Yespers'
Hundred"
Immediately following the offertory the
bishop rose and read from Hebrew xi:l3-39
and 40 verses. as follows: "These all died in
faith not having received the promises, but
having seen them afar of and were persuaded
Of them and embraced them. and confessed
that they were strangers and pilgrims on the
earth. and these all having obtained a good
report through faith received not the prom
ise. God having provided some better thing
Tor Us that they without Us should not be
made perfect
Closing the book and stepping 10 the right
side Of the pulpit the great divine. one hand
resting on the desk and the other akimbo,
proceeded without the aid OF notes 10 preach
the memorial sermon. Seldom did he change
his position. and few were the gestures en-
ployed TO more forcbly impress his utterances
upon the minds OF his hearers His voice was
clear and words distinct, and the tone SO
moduiated that the person farthest away did
not lose a syllable.
1t is a remarkable passage" began the
bishop. In it are more than mortal eie-
ments Of composition. The apostle spreads
out before him the history OF the world for
four thousand years. calling around him the
mighty spirits or the universe, eulogiZing
their faith and setting them before the world
as an example worthy OF emulation and re-
spect. His analogy OF faith is not close and
higcted. He does not disguise the faults sutii-
ciently for his purpose 10 recite the virtues.
He recognizes the fact that perfection does
not belong to earth ard humanity; he reeog-
niZes the mixed character of man, fully ap-
precia,IDg the environments OF humanity and
making due allowance for the unavoidable
shortcomings. How charitable the thought
and how magnificent the fact!
I'VE should draw the curtain over the
vices If they may be so called. OF our de-
parted friends and hold up their virtues as an
inspiration to nober thoughts and deeds.
IT, 30 sf,s,., 4T.
distinct classes among maakind-the con-
spicuOus and the obscure. Obscurity has
place in the government of the Almighty. and
He only can determine which will occupy the
most exalted position when He comes TO
make up His jewels. This is not for US to at
tempt to decide, no matter how nearly perfect
we may be- Gods standard OF the estimation
OF men and women IN His kingdom is en-
tirely different from the estimation OF man
kind. He selects the jewel Of the first water
and places ii in cOronet surrounded by
jewels Of much lesser value.
1T is a mistake TO suppose that He predi-
Gates everything on faith. Courage is taken
into consideration. Courage which enables
a man or womanfo endure all things for con-
sciences sake. He recognizes hope. Hope
is an angel leading US on to greater and bet
ter things. We are led by an unseen hand
whose mighty influence and power is all
around US.
But the greatest Of these is faith. The in
spiration of this divine trinity of virtues
leads US on TO greater work. Faith reaches
beyond the confines of earth and makes a
man Independent of the influence OF his sur
roundings Faith makes a man able to stand
up fearless of contradiction of his belief in
God.
The prophet had faith in the coming of the
Messiah He was looking down the vista of
the centuries and could dimly see the New
Tat ,-f1 Ia1
ham. David. and Isaiah all prophesied
his coming and they all died in the faith,
died as you and I will die and as the multi
tude OF humanity before US have passed away.
The world might say their faith was failure,
but they sealed il and left for our emulation
an exhibition Of character which challenges
our admiration.
Every man lives a threefold life That
now is Of sensibilities and intellect which
lifts US above the animal creation. Then
there IS the life that allies US to God, the link
life The last is the life of immortalitv
Without ii the ordinances Of God would be
mystery. BY it we live on in the minds of
men until the end of time. And this brings
out that great principle, the continuity of
personality by which the memory of the
deceased continues in the minds of their fell
lows through scores OF succeeding genera
tions.
Then in his inimitably graphic style the
bishop proceeded TO paint on the minds Of his
audience description of the scenes incident
to the dedication of the church quarter of a
century ago. III was a beautiful Easter day,
and the trees of our beautiful city were bloom
ingsin a magnificent panorama of colors. The
service was attended by many of the highest
dignitaries Of the United States Government.
and the representatives of a number of for
eign powers also graced the occasion with
their presence.
In aa I
men as our beloved soldier and the then Chief
Executive of the nation. Gen. q. S. Grant,
and his associate in Office Vice President
Schuyler coliax, and Chief Justice Salmon
Chase. and their wives. Senators and mem
bers Of the lower house of Congress were
present in large numbers. 1t was truly
national gathering and worthy the national
Capital
twenty-five years have passed. We look
upon the faces Of our members to-day and
see but few of those with US who were pres
ent on that memorable occasion, a quarter
Of a century ago. Mr.. NJ. G. Emery is still
trustee, but is now lying upon bed of sick
ness. OF the other gentlemen who were
trustees then, and are now. are: Messrs.
Lutz. Fowler, Norman, Tulioch, Burke, Pur-
cell. and Howard. while the others have
passed to their reward. They were all great
men. Christian men, and leave behind for US
precious memories of their lives. All hail.
lllustrious spirits. You have gone to your
reward, and We are fastening TO join you''
At the close of the discourse Bishop New
man was given quite reception, and hun
dreds Of his hearers went forward and shook
hands with him.
The second service of the day was held at 8
O'Clock. 1t was a Sunday-school and Epworth
League anniversary, and Supt. Mckee pre-
sided. Mr. G. NJ. l.. Sites. president of the
District EpWorth League told Of the purpose
-,,f rh-@
also anniversary addresses by Mrs. John A.
Logan and Mrs. Newman