The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-16
HIS ANNIVERSARY SERMON.


Dean watson Reviews the HISTORY OF
twenty-five Years Work.
Rev. DIR. George Herbert Watson COM
memorated the twenty-hfth anniversary
of his ordination at Trinity church yester-
day. After = short sermon upon the text
"By their fruits ye shall know them," the
preacher said:
To-day your pastor observes the twenty
fifth anniversary of his ordination TO the
diaconate. and stops for a moment In his
busy life to review the quarter of CEN
turv which has so quickly passed away
since the hour when, q mere STRIPPING of
II years, he knelt before the venerable
bishop of New York. Horatio Potter.
made his vow OF obedience, and, with the
laying on OF hands, was admitted TO the
third order of the apostolic ministry.
"Twenty-hve years, nearly sixteen OF
which have been spent In this parish and
city, is to great portion OF the ordinary
span of human life TO be carelessly brushed
aside without thought: and yet it is not
my intention 10 dwell with any great de-
tail upon this period at fhe present time.
This for two reasons: First. because the
order of deacon is, as the rule, only pre-
psratory TO an early advancement TO the
higher order and permanent Office of the
priesthood; and IL is, therefore, the Gus
tom 10 celebrate the silver anniversary OF
a minister of God upon the completion OF
tNeuty-nfc years from Alie OHts Oh hAs ad-
mission to the superior Office. This. In
my case, will not occur until September
u, 1856 my youth obliging rue TO wait for
over two wears TO reach the requisite age
of "a before / could be ordained a priest;
and second. not only does an apostle teach
us that, forgetting those things which are
behind, and reaching forth unto those
things which are before. we should press
toward the mark for the prize OF the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus. but Jeho,
yah himself is heard by the banks OF the
Red sea giving q command 10 Moses, the
leader OF his people. which was intended
10 be every where q clarion note for Prog
ress, both material and spiritual, Speak
unto the children OF Israel that they go
forward
biographies are needful and often full
of interest: bue an autobiography, though
nardonAble in one who has reached, We
will say, his golden anniversary. Is always
Liable 20 the charge of egotism, looks at
all questions from ones own poiut of
view and is a waste OF time on the part of
one who has lust reached or passed the
sse OF maturity, when lall things are re-
earded AZ their pFoper value and in their
true light when, by the aid OF these ripper
powers, one may do bis best work II be
will. for God and humanity, Fastening,
however. his task and striving TO do 'mui-
,um IN parvo,' remembering always that
the night cometh swiftly. when no man can
work.
ssDo you ask for q message then today
from him who has served at God altar
these many yearsf
Above all others let this be the watch
word OF the hour. 60 forward Reach
forth 'sPressstoward the mark Forget
all else, your successes, your failures. so
that Won but attain the goal and receive
the prize, which Is nothing else and moth
ing less than the gift OF Jesus, Who loved
ms and gave Himself for us. The unveiled
vision OF the face of Christ.'
ssBut the past has its lesson; Girst FOR me
and then foryou Let Us gather up then
quickly the record OF the years. strike q
balance and then pass on, with the added
light of experience 10 aid Us 10 coInpre-
bend the present aud to make ready Tor
the unknown future.
sThe nation has grown nightly IN ibis
quarter OF . century, and with the growth
Ias come a demand FOR a very broad con-
sideration OF questions which IN the early
aavs did not call for settlemsnt Do Se.
therefore. need new found atoms upon
which 20 baildG think not
Call nae conservative, old-iash1onea.
behind the times. and yea am as eleaF
today amid this political, cornmsreisl,
social unheAyAl as when | entered upon
my ministry. that organic Christianity,
v hen irnhued with the mind Of Christ -
able 10 aroitrate every difficulty anu 70
solve the problem IS 10 hos my rieh
nsighbor and can live alongside 81 one
another and help oae another 20 i've one
common ltie ia al qnletness and honesty.
.srhe Kingdom OF the Son Of God on
earth. commonly called the church. has
also greatly enlarged ia borders IN these
twenty-five years. Has II. siso, strength
enel its stakes
ARreaath does not always Imply
strength. And I have sometimes feared
thai the multitude Which has been gatn-
Ard into ths churches, especially sR&s