Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-23
MISSIONS IN PERSIA.
Hr. Yonan Discusses Distractions 10
the Spread Of the Gospel
rnr DUTY or THE PREACHER.
Rev. Mr.. Wilson Speaks on This
Theme. ana, Like DIR. Young,
( Touches ON sabbath obscrNnhce-
& Dir. Hite on the Flood.

ful character. Not In the history OF the
,hurch's summer services for several
Years has there been such interest de-
keloped. Large congregations assembled.
md the interest at the close Of the morn
ing discourse amounted to enthusiasm. 1t
mas the address Of Rev. Isaac Yonan, OF
Srooniah, Persia. on obstacles 10 Mis-
sions in Persia and Other Lands" This
ADDRESS was a thrilling discussion of
great and burning subject before the
Church. 1t was highly scholarly: the
fruits Of an eyewitness. and soul Lighted
Kim the fires Of religious patriot.
The address was opened with a ekiiful
but brief drawing OF the relation OF con-
sicts TO development. struggle 10 victory
and then passed at once 10 a two-fold DIS
sussion OF the present day obstacles. The
srst part was a striking delineStion OF the
obstacles in the Church at home.
The skeptosm on the subject. the err
sroneous doctrines, the misconceptions of
suty, the Church's self-lnterest. her
Iecielon that missions are a failure. the
1infui and foolish excuses for failure to
30 known duty--all these and others were
presented with deep. tender pity rather
.hau reproach as the church coidness, IN
difference. and neglect was made with
Serrble vividness.
OBSTACLES ABROAD.
Then came the second part-the conflicts
obroad:
: 1. Rival missions-too much denomina-
nionansm, rather than one Christ ana one
gospel.
.. The baleful influence OF American and
lgurop IAN traders. on the deck of steam
lhip for Boston. the earnest missionary
below stored away in the vessels hold
100000 Of whiskey in one year Tor The
HUb"
z. The great difficulties in language-e.
Y. II a man would evangelize Persia
ibout the size OF Texas-he must speak In
.sye languages.
1. 4. The dangerous climate and unhealthy
Environments.
:. Religious and fanatical antagonlsms.
An these were drawn in great vigor,
fgith much evident research. and heart
kouched with Asia's needs III the face OF
all. lie then concluded with al stirring
plea for four things:
l. Mere perfect union among the va
1ioss branches Of Professionalism urging
snlon under the general name OF Evan
Jellcal church.
Raising up and thoroughly training OF
,tative workers. scholars. preachers, and
Scachers.
3. Prayer on the part OF the Church.
4 The power and fire OF the Holy Ghost.
lie brought the address 10 u close ana
produced a wonderful enthusiasm by
words OF holy encouragement and repeat
Ing with great dramatic power. Asia dy-
r."
At7P. NJ Rev. Mr.. Yonan spoke to the
Endeavor Society and at SIS Rev. Fen
ucr Stiokney preached with power and
ability on the Trinity TO an audience
n!npg the house.
MISSION or THE PREACHER.
Rev. X. T. Wilson preached at Clay
Street Methodist church Sunday morning
or "The Preachers Mission" taking his
text from the second verse Of the fourth
chapter OF second Timothy. After de-
clsring that the preachers theme is
given. and discussing the duty of the
minister TO preach Christ. Mr.. Wilson
said: The preachers or Richmond are not
indifferent TO the reformatory measures
recently taken TO enforce the law. Like
every g9od citizen, they should align
themselves with issues like this, while
thay may not make them distictively their
themes in the pulpit. The preacher is not
only a citizen, but something more. he
stands the ambassador VI his Sove-
reign. HIS mission is TO impress upon
men that they are to be more than ex-
sIpinTy citizens OF a municipality. n man
may outwaTdly meet his obligations TO
society and yet be shut out OF the hea-
venly realm. The preachers mission Is
90 go beyond mere reformation, his aim
is regeneration. lie stands side by side
with every reform. but when they stop
al too soon he must so further. j am
for1natory effort made in our city. b>-
cause everything is not done is no reason
why that which is done should not be
commended. Where the reformer stops,
however. the preacher must BID him adieu
and press to greater heights
Mr. Wilson condemned the Sunday
newspaper and Sunday excursions with
Il good deal OF severity, and continuing
said: L say TO the poor man, as you
value your future and the future Of your
Offspring. hold 20 the sancuty Of the
Christian Sabbath. Far too many men
have now to labor seven days In the
week for six days pay. The preacher
must perform his mission earnestly and
diligently. He must have his Work much
A heart. lie must present his theme In
asason and out of season. He is 10 tell
The people their sins. This is difficult
ehinc 10 do. when he sees the error In
ihe life OF one whom ne fain would COM
roend but he must be faithful 10 the
hams best interest and 10 his God. The
Areacher IS 10 do more than convince
men. ne Is 10 rebuke. He stands with
credentials from Heaven. sealed with d.
tiue authority TO do this. He is also TO
sNhort or encourage the weak and falter-
sle All this will require patience, and
.in car for the spirit OF long suffering.
rho preacher must make all things con-
rerge 81 as TO point TO Jesus as the pana-
sea for all ills, and the hope Of n lost
sorld. II he can induce men to become
proper citizens of the city above they
Mil be- the best citizens Of the munich
ealities Of earth"
RICHMOND'S TRUE FRIENDS.
In spite Of the heat and threatening
ptorin a goodly company gathered at
Park-Piace church at night 10 hear
sermon by Dr. Young on the subject.
''NNho Are the True Friends and Who
The Real Enemies OF Richmond|' He
took fer his text Genesis XVIII. g. per
adventure ten ((r!ghteous) shall be found
there. And He said will not destroy
IL for tens sake" lie said among other
4hings that II was evident from the text
that God looked upon the truly right
oous OF a community ss its Only
hope. The greatest error OF our civic
life is the eSaltation OF our material
Interests above the moral and spiritual
welfare OF the people. We preach one
thing and sing IL In our churches: we
preach another thing in our character as
citizens Alas, right here In Richmond
money leads men who claim 10 be IN
some sense good 10 plead for the gambler
and for Sabbath Dissertation and for
FRAUDULENT elections. IL Is not the
first duty TO remove, az far as We can.