The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-10

ing service, and the new pastor. Rev. D..
r. Mastin, delivered an excellent dis-
course on Prayer" in which he iorcipiy
rreFtnted The necessity FOR, he glorious
privilege OF, and the power OF earneS',
consecrated prayer. His dehhiuon y.
prayer and discussion of its nature was
particularly enjoyable and edifying' an"
the sermon was highly commehueo'
CROS5-BEAR.NG
The inclement weather at night quite
naturally served TO reduce the norman
size of the congregation. but despite tue
rain quite a number OF both sexes were
present and. considering the very unpto,
pitious night. the audience was sndeeu
a good one. The theme OF the preachel
was 'cross-bearing," the text bein5 the
Sav.ours words: III any man VIII come
after me. let him deny himself ano take
up his cross and follow me-
The sneaker declared that with the tN-
ception OF man. the highest oeins III
Gods creation. everything IN the "otiu'
animate and inanimate. is performing eN-
actly the functions the Creator wished
them 10 perform. Man alone was OUT o.
harmony with Gods will. CHRIST re-
demption was to bring man back IN
harmony with his God.
The disciples to whom the Lord address
time the erroneous impression that he
was to establish temporal kingdom ana
SWAY his sceptre over that. lie tells them
In the text the real nature of christiani-
TWO be a follower OF Him there must
be the will to deny self and bear crosses.
The necessity for the exercise of the
vflI-power was here developed by the
preacher in a clear and forcible argument
which placed their will 10 do" or the
foundation upon which Christ seekers
must build. Next he el0quently discussed
the nature of seif-deniai. and maintained
that In order 10 be an earnest disciple OF
Jesus there must be a complete surrender
OF self and a willingness to do His viii
regardless OF the sacrifices that such
conservation may entail. If 10 be said TINS
Is hard life TO present to man let 1t
be remembered that it is no harder than
the Saviours, and that tie never asks
anybody 10 do more than He has done Tor
them.
CHRIsTS SUFFERlNGS.
Then the speaker beautifully pictured
fine Saviours leaving the eternal mansion
and coming TO earth To endure suffering,
prfvatfon and death for mans good anu
salvation. But it is not SO hard when
we consider that love lightens the burden
and that the pathway Is never so dreary
or the cloud so dark. but that the soul
can Toe singing songs Of Joy IN the posses
sion of that blessed peace that passeth
all understanding.
The rich compensation was next heauu-
fully portravcd-not only blessed peace
and hope here. but "A life Of endless joy
hereafter. The result of cross-bearing
here robs death of its terrors-that dread
enemy that is naturally repugnant 70 the
human mind-living in the consciousness
that the eternal arms are unlerneath MN.
When mans feet touch the cold waters
he knows that he is following IN the FOOT
steps Of his blessed Saviour and that
he will go safely through the tide to the
everlasting shore Of bliss.
when We come 10 this hour. there is al
WAYS a sad picture on this side. \ group
OF weeping loved ones gather az the bed
side; the physician feels the ebbng pulse
and sorrowfully stands aside, FOR he can
not further aid now. But over yonder
there Is a happy group Of friends and
loved ones gone before who are waiting
10 welcome the REASONED spirit to their
embrace and into the portals Of eternal
bliss.
The sermon was able and ornate, being
Interpreted with many opposite illustra-
tons and incidents recited I'm an excellent
manner. and the congregation was much
moved by the fervor and pathos
OF this excellent minister.
Mr. Mastin gives evidence OF power as
an evangelist-not Of the class however,
who intersperse humorous sayings and
sensational aings In their discourses but
so to speak IAN evangelical evangelist
a man who can present the glorious
truths Of the gospel i'm way and manner
that reaches the hearts and consciences
OF men. His Sunday nights sermon was
particularly a gem.