Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-28

but for the study Of Institutions, race al
versities. schools OF art, modes OF wcr-
ship. and the influence OF different reli-
gicns on practical morality; all this may
become an important part Of a ministers
education and preparation for the pulpit.
This Is Especially true Of travel In
Oriental lands. and. above all. In Pales-
tine
Ny ever-to-bc-iamented friend, the late
DIR. Henry Alexander. once told me that
when lecturing to his class In the Theo-
logical Seminary when he came to speak
OF memorable places In the Holy Land.
or when he attempted to trace the Jour-
neys of our Lord, he sometimes felt Ike
abruptly leaving the lecture-room and
taking the first train for New York, that
he might embark for Palestine. and ex-
plore the country personally. so that he
might not thereafter have 10 get his in
formation from books that others had
written. making IL necessary to go be-
fore his class with secondhand know.
ledge. but that by personal exploration OF
the land he might learn for himself what
he had to teach others.
There are many who have a similar
yearning: but let me say for the comfort
OF those who can never hope 10 enjoy
personal inspection OF the land where
the Bible was written. and where their
Lord was born. that they may console
themselves somewhat for the want OF
actual sight by the remembrance that
Faith still has its Olivet.
And love its Galilee."
for those who never get a glimpse OF
either. say. console themselves some
what. for IL is unquestionaely a privi-
lege TO "see the goodly land that Is be-
You'd Jordan" and to walk over the
acres once trodden by the feet which were
mailed for our advantage TO the bitter
Cross"
THERE IS PALESTINE.
can never forget the thrill experienced
on the bright morning when from the
deck Of the steamer I caught sight OF
the dim outlines Of Mt. Carmel. and the
blue hills of Judea. and the promontory
on which JANA stands. and the low-lying
coast frinsed with yellow sand. and when
the irreprsssible exclamation came.
There is Palestine. at last"'
Hundreds OF times my memories Of
scenes. events, or experiences in that land
have influenced trains OF thought In my
sermons or given me confidence In speak
ing OF its physical aspects and sacred To-
calities. My Oriental tour. made posi-
bic and pleasant by the dear friends who
accompanied me-Mr. and Mrs. psmber-
ton--took In the cities OF Alexandria.
Cairo, Jerusalem, Beyrout. Damascus. the
ruins Of Baalbek. Tyre. Sldon and Ephe-
sus. and the cities CT Rhodes, Smyrna,
and Constantinople.
II is no small advantage. either. to have
the opportunity OF hearing the great d.
vines in the chief cities OF Europe and In
the British Isles.
Some OF you have asked me 10 give you
my recollections OF those whom / have
heard preach and with some OF whom
became acquainted. Three OF the most
Interesting OF these were Drs. Caesar Ma
Ian. OF Geneva: Bersier, OF Parts. and
Cook the great polemic. OF Belfast.
Several times | heard Dean Stanley In
Westminster Abbey. one day. I'm speak
Ing with the Dean OF a visit was about
to make to Scotland, he said: IF you
have never heard DIR. McGregor. OF 81.
Cuthbert's. in Edinburgh. be sure to hear
him this time, for | regard him as the
most eloquent divine In Great Britain"
heard him during that visit. AMI was
not disappointed. But for Dean Stanley's
well-known freedom from UNCONVENTIONAL
bias In HIS estimate OF men. | might have
been surprised at his euloglum on Pres
byterian divine. | asked him whom he
regarded as the most eloquent preacher
In the Church of England. Without,
moments hesitation. he answered: "Dr.
Magee. Bishop Of Peterborough
also had the opportunity OF hearing
Maurice. Liddon. Farrar. and the Bishop
OF Canterbury. DR.. TAFT: and OF the Pres
byterian Church. Cumming, Candlish, and
James Hamilton. of Regent Squal\. and
A. II. X. Boyd, author OF "Recreaaors"
and "Graver Hours OF Country Parson"
During my visits abroad. covering a
period OF thirty years. | often heard Spur
geon. and always with the greatest de-
light; and once the fervld and eloquent
Punshon. OF the Wesleyan church.
FIDELITY AND HARMONY.
l have now enumerated the most emil
nent teachers In what ! tried to make
my theological school In the Old World,
most OF whom have entered on their eter-
nal rest and reward
have never been in any city where the
average standard OF ministerial merit was
higher than In Richmond. and never one
where pastors and people lived aud la
bored together in more delightful har-
mony.
This church. am grateful to say. has
been a sort OF religious exchange for
nearly half a century. At our afternoon
meetings, especially. all denominations
have met and mingled. The ever-increas-
Ing manifestations OF regard on the part
OF my ministerial brethren to me Is "A
source Of the purest happiness. And yet
had I purchased IL by the sacrifice or
even the compromise OF any truth OF
revelation. whether OF doctrine. church
government. or modes OF worship. would
have purchased IL at n cost which would
have made me bankrupt forever
Whether It be right IN the sight OF
Cod must ever be the minister's great
inquiry. Whatever may be the fluctua-
lions Of public opinion. whatever the
clamoring voice OF the people. whatever
the revolutions in creeds ord theories OF
inspiration. the minister aust listen 10
one voice alone as finally authoritative
When the sea Is agitated with storms the
waves make n great tumult. but when the
voice OF thunder comes rolling across the
storm, then all the din OF the waters IL
hushed by that mlghtier voice. and so
when God speaks the response must ever
be. Speak. Lord, Thy servant heareth."
1T is Thine to command: IL Is mine to
obey" But have ever believed that the
highest loyalty to truth and duty Is con-
sistent with the sweetest charity--the
charity that Is the crown and flower OF
all the graces. Conscience itself sees the
truth more clearly in an atmosphere OF
love. At my forty-fifth anniversary the
DtSNOp OIL one Oh our NTbiUii ulOceS'S
was kind enough TO say that the harmony
between our churches was due In n mea-
sure to the afternoon services OF this
church. and that the influence OF its pas
ter had helped TO educate our people In
the great principles Of practical Christian
unity. II have contributed NJ all TO this
result l am profoundly grateful to the
great author OF peace and lover OF con-
cord. and to His name be the praise.
PARTING WORDS.
And now, my friends. this memorial
service is ended. How can ] sufficiently
express my gratitude 10 the thousands
who have come to celebrate this golden
wedding with such unanimity and cor
dallty. call IL my golden wedding, be-
cause fifty years ago j was united In
holy bonds with this church. ! was then
In the springtime Of life. hopeful and
expectant. 1t was a spring followed by
a glowing summer. The summer has been
succeeded by a golden autumn. enriched
by the fruits OF the Divine favor all the
more precious because all unmerited.
Since the first year of my betrothal TO
this church l have seen many and great
changes-changes In the church,
changes I'm the city. changes in the coun-
try, and In the world. But there Is one
change which never saw; ! have seen no
change in the Astounding love and care or
One who is 1.-THE same yesterday. to-day,
and forever" stand here 10 testify, as |
never could so gratefully before, that
amidst all the vcissitudes OF mortal lie.