Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-03-11
TIE >CH0OLFIELD MEETINGS

4
were highly pleased. Mr.. Schoolfeld
is an interesting and convincing speak
er, and throughout the meetings he
was listened to with marked attention.
In his morning discourse he began by
announcing that he never commences a
series of services in any other way than
on his knees and thereupon summoned
the congregation to prayer, at the close
OF which the service proceeded in reg.
ular order until the time came to an
nounce his text. He didn't choose any
particular verse but read several selec-
tions from Acts, all of which related to
the coming of the Holy Ghost. He
then announced that the subject would
be The office and work of the Holy
Ghost" and referred to the 10th chap
ter of St. John 7th to 14th verses,
which he said states what is the mis-
sion of the Holy Ghost in the world.
He dwelt upon each of the different
things which this scripture announced
that the spirit should do. 1st, "Reprove
the world of SIM The first thing Jesus
did on arriving at Jerusalem after com,
mencing his ministry was to call atten-
ton to the proclamation OF the temple
by the merchants, money changers,
sc. So the first mission of the spirit is
to show the presence of sin in the hui
man heart which is not the temple
where that spirit should have its dwell.
ing place. End, "Of Righteousness,
&c. The Holy Spirit sheds abroad the
love of Christ in the soul, enabling US
to compare ourselves and measure our
selves BY the standard God has set for
our emulation. The people of the
world are living upon too low plane
and ought to strive for higher degree
of holiness, which can only be
attained by the help of the Holy
Ghost. 3rd, "Of Judgment,n sc.
Some try to persuade themselves
that there is no future punishment.
Part of the work of the Holy
Spirit is to convince that there is such
place. 1t is because of sin that we
try to persuade ourselves that the
words contained in the Bible in rela-
ton to everlasting punishment are not
true. 1t is not popular in this day to
preach about hell, but that is what we
need. If there is a heaven there is
hell. "If you tear out the leaf of the
Bible which tells about hell" said the
speaker, 81 have an equal authority to
tear out the leaf that tells about
heaven" 4th, He guides us into all
truth" All that we know of God and
of Heaven and of Jesus as the Son of
God is through the Holy Ghost. He
cave us the Scriptures, in which is en-
bodied what we know of the truths of
religion. The greatest trouble with
men everywhere is that they are prone
to set up their own opinions against
the convictions of truth which the
Spirit tries to impress upon our hearts.
We are not willing to obey the injunc-
ton to trust the Lord with all thine
heart and lean not unto thine own un-
derstanding.' 9Th, He gloriies Christ.
He shall glorify me. Christ's mission
Yves to glory the Father. He said on
the evening before his crucifxion Il
have elorified thee on the earth, have
finished the work thou gavest me to
do" So the mission of the Holy
Ghost was to glorify Christ. 9Th, He
imparts life to the dead soul. All that
any preacher can do is to hold up
Christ as the remedy for sin. The
Holy Spirit must impart life. Here he
illustrated what what was done at
certain place in the valley of Virginia.
At one place where road runs along
there is on level higher up lake. a
man conceived the idea Ct planting
hollow willow tree-trunk On the road
side fitted with spout and then of run
Mug pipe connecting this with the
lake above. He did so. After some
time the apparently dead tree-trunk
began TO sprout. Ii sert roots down
ward and limbs and leaves began TO APP
pear and after awhile it became fine
shade tree, in addition to being fount-
ain. After dwelling somewhat on the
uselessness of attempting any good
without having the aid of the Holy
Spirit and saying that no matter how
complete church building might be or
how fine the organ or how grand the
choir singing or how eloquent the
preacher, if the Holy Spirit be not in
that church the door might as well be
nailed up and placarded dead" He
concluded his address, which was more
particularly addressed to church men,
bers, by fervent invocation.
He announced services as follows
Every day of theensuing week lSatur-
day included) at II a. m. and $50 p. m.
Special service for children at 3 p. IN.
Saturday and special service for men )
o'clock next Sunday afternoon.
There was largely attended song
service in the afternoon which was
greatly enjoyed.
At night the church was again dense
ly packed. Mr.. Schoolfield read
number of passages of Scripture
previous to beginning his discourse.
He commenced by saying that there
was to be nothing personal in what he
intended to say, as he did not know
halls dozen people in the place. He
proceeded to rebuke church members
for lukewarmness and for INDUCING in
worldly dissipation, such as drinking il :
toxicating liquors, theatre goipg,, pat
ticipating in balls. card parties and the
like, asking whether il a stranger should
come to Alexandria and attempt 10
select Christians from among t
general community, how many lie
would be able to decide upon, havi, 6
only their manner of living to guice
him. Members of the church, he said,
would declare that there could be no
wrong in such things, but he would