Middletown transcript., 1894-04-07

~ ton, who was for
w almost fifteen years
the beloved pastor
ofthat church. The
us Rev. F. H. Moore
conducted the ser
vice and preached the sermon. The first
Psalm was read and the c,-ening lesson was
from the Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy.
beginning at the third chapter, fourteenth
verse, and ending with the fourth chapter
eighth verse. The hymn "In the Cross of
Christ l Glory" which was sung at the
Juvenile services in Philadelphia, was sung
by the congregation, and afterwards Mr..
Moore announced his text which was John
1-6: There Was a Man Sent From God,
Whose Name Was john" These words
were written of the Baptist, the messenger
sent to prepare the way for the coming Of
the Messiah, who came preaching the bap-
tism of repentance for the remission of
sins; he of whom the Master had said, he
was burning and shining light. This
John was like granite, firm, strong unflnch-
ing, unbending, and suggestive of John
Knox in later age. But behind the pen
which wrote the words of our text we see
the hand and hear the voice of that other
John. known as the Beloved Disciple who
in his old age. combined in pre-eminent
degree, the elements of strength and sweet
ness. And this attractive character Eatur-
ally suggests him. who. for well nigh fifteen
this church. As we recall the Doctor in
the evening of his life, we are not reminded
of John the Baptist, but of that other John
who reclined on the bosom OF the Master.
DR.. Patton did not remind us of the severe
strength of the Doric shaft. but he was to
us as beautiful Corinthian column, richly
futed, with capital luxuriantly carved, and
entwined with beautiful flowers. In a
word, he was strong in the Lord and in the
power of His might, and also adorned the
doctrine of God his Saviour in all things,
and in the manifestation of the Christian
graces and virtues he gloriied his God.
In selecting the words of our text for this
evenings meditation, we desired to impress
upon you two truths: First, that all life is
from God, that He has mission for every
soul whom He sends into this world, and
God reveals that mission to every earnest
seeker who asks, "Lord what will thou have
me to do? Happy is that soul who offers
that prayer and thrice blessed is he who
is able to say. evenly approximately, Il
have finished the work which Thou gavest
me to do"
also selected this text that the name
john might bring the deceased more
closely to our thought as one of ourselves.
We always thought of him as Doctor Pat
ton. It is true that love and reverence
were associated with this title, but it is
possible that we may be led to think of him
as dwelling in a different atmosphere, liv-
ing in another world from the one in which
we dwelt: but the word John makes us
realize that be was one OF us, like us,
near US. John Patton, who, like US was
compelled to face life with its battles and
defeats, its. disappointments and sorrows,
and also with its joys and triumphs.
John Patton was born at NottingharV
Cecil County, Maryland, on May 18th,
1903, almost Sc years ago. we nave no
record Of his early life, but it is evident,
that like Samuel, he heard Gods voice at
very early age. At the age OF eighteen
years, he had been graduated from the
Jefferson College, Of Pennsylvania, ana
subsequently he studied theology at Union
Seminary, Virginia, one OF those educa-
tional institutions of that State, OF which
two-one secular and the other theological
are of very great interest. lhe
first is the University of Virginia. situated
at Charlottesville, and founded by Ihomas
Jefferson, who, believe, was the hrst to
introduce two features of college education.
The first was the system OF elective stuoles'
and the second feature was happy soiution
of the vexed question of discipline oy put
ting the students on their honor ana ooth
of those features have worked we'll Inc
other institution to which we REFERRED Is
the Seminary of the Protestant Hpiscopai
Chuyeh located at Alexandria. within
whose walls the present Bishop fo''er, Oh
New York, and the lamented bisnop Z rhil-
lips Brooks. of Boston, pursued their theo-
logical studies.
At the age of twenty-four years. "
Patton was ordained minister of the gospel
by this presbytery of New Castle on De-
cember 25th, 1882, and he was immeu,a'e'y
iaxaIleS pastor Of the Chestnut Level
aaSl Zfitain Churches, in Lancaster
County, Pa, where he remained until 1854
when he became the stated supply OF the
Dover Presbyterian Church. In tue year
1847 he went to Philadelphia to take coarge
of the Educational 8 .ciety, OF whicn ne
was the secretary for ten years. ne u.uei
stood the Importance Of rightly Training
the young men in the ministry anu ne "Ss
anxious that the pulpits of the church
should be filled with thoroughly equipped
men. To-day the number Of students IN
our Theological seminaries IS aimos.
one thousand. Think ofthese magnin.en'
equipped and endowed SCHOOLS o. .ne
prophets" in which the church teacnss -.
ministerial candidates to be workmen VINO
need not to be ashamed. some u .ne
Immense Accommodations heen
through many years, otLer iunu' n 90 tbs
Of comparatively recent oa'e, orthv
church cannot be too grateiui .,;n.rcs ~ ~.
men who have retired from Ihe n,;rht
Of the pastorate, in order thas snsy