The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-11-21
West ChurCh'S
Former Pastor.

The Rev. George II. Smyth, ID. D., of
Washington, d. G., the FIRST pastor OF
Vast Presbyterian Church. preached in
that church last night.
The service was one OF the revival
meetings held in West Church during the
la2t four weeks The congregation was q
good one. and the sermon was one of tbs
most interesting OF the series. The
preacher chose for his text: Paul
preached unto them Jesus" Acts xviii Is.
The preacher introduced his sermon by
reference to his former pastorale at West
Church. and OF his pleasant recoliectIons
of its people. OF the text he said " Is
part OF the history OF st. Paurs Wait. to
Athens, and OF his waiting there for the
coming OF his brethren. The apostle found
this city---the Boston of Grecce--given
over 10 idolstry. 1t was full OF philoso--
Pliers and gossips who were continually
seeking for some new thing.
To meet their inquiries ST. Paul
preached unto them Jesus. the Messiah.
The acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah
had been St. Paul's trouble. When he
discovered the Messiah be at once sur
rs,d rensss,sed i2 Him. and began to preach
Jesus as the say!2r OF the world. That
Is in the story OF his conversion. When
Jesus met. him In the way TO Damascus
and Saul the prosecutor cried out: Lord.
what will you have me to do? l surren:
der"
The inquiry at. Athens was how to get
rid Of sin, and in answer TO this inquiry
OF philosophy Paul preached Jesus the
0lnnfpolent Savior. lie declared that
Jesus Is mighty to save. skcpticism was
ssking how clean thing could cc.,s c.t ,
ef al Gnciesii thlns. Wac s;i a. saSH e .....
vei5is thing? St. Paals answer was,
God can"
Jesus Is also a willing Savior. His In
vitation is to ALL Come unto Me. ye that
are weary and heavy laden. and will
give you rest" Even the children were
invited to come. The disciples would
have turned them aside. People now
often think that children are too young
to come to God. They are never too young
for the wjles of the devil. So Jesus said
OF tho children "Let them come unto
Me-" So with tina blind man. who cried
out to Him on the way from Jericho to
Jerusalem: Thou Son of David, have
mercy On me-" Jesus ordered the man
brought to him and healed him willingly.
st. Paul preached Christ crucifed Too
much cannot be made of a crucifed Sa-
vlor, but he also preached a risen Christ
living Savior. The preacher found Christ
present in the world, in the charitable
institutions, in the hospitals and In the
Church. People believe in a living Christ.
but somehow get the idea that He Is far
away. This is not true. Christ is a liv-
ing and a present Savior. He says: Be
hold, am with you always" This is the
Savior men need. They nead Him now,
LIN mi ta 10
aids those who call ON Him. He sympa-
thizes with those who are in trouble The
two disciples on the way to Emaius were
in trouble. and Jesus walking with them
eomTortei them with human sympathy and
afterward revealed Himself unto them.
Jesus is a personal Savior. st. Paul
loved to say Of Him; MY Lord. Jesus
Christ, who died for me-" Love is all
personal. St. Paul did not join the
Church to become one of an organization;
he Joined Christ and never backslided.
None ever do Yho JOIN Christ. When
Thomas saw the WOUNDS In his Mastefs
bands and touched them, he cried out
My Lord AMI py God" and Thomas's
skepticism was buried under the love of
Christ.
Jesus is a perfect Savior The record
us, lub DlUDu VI SuiiSt IitousSth
all uin" So every one who will be. may
bs cleansed tonight, The love of Christ
turpasses all other love. 1t appears as If
the great apostle sat down to write an
essay about 1t. but he threw his pen aside.
saying, "It passeth all understanding"
The love of Christ is also perfectly adapt
cd to the wants OK men. II the proof of Its
divinity Is wanted 1t is found sure. lie
Is touched by the feeling Of our
iniirmitics This IS different from
any thing human, except 1t be
mothers love. There are none too
low. too deap in sin to be beyond Gods
love as revealed In Christ. Through Him
God sympathizes with suffering human
ity
The after meeting was led by the Rev.
j. r. Mlllgan. Al the close of the service
Mr. Milligan announced that the Thanks
giving meeting OF the Presbyterian con-
gregations OF the city will be held this
year in First Church. The sermon Will
be preached by the Rev. A. N. Keigwin.
The mseting at West Church will close
on Friday night. The sermon at the ser
vice tonight will be preached.by the Rev.
J. n. Mllligan.