Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-05-24

Masonic Temple After the Ser
vices.
The members of Wheeling and Cy-
rene Communicates, knights Tenn
plar, Of this city, and Hope Command
cry, of st. CIairsville, attended Ascen-
sion Day services, which were of a very
interesting nature, at St Matthew's P
E. Church last evening. The Sir
Knights of the two local Comman-
deries turned out in a body in full uni%
form, headed by the Opera House band
They marched to the 3. &, o: depot, and
met the visitors, who arrived about
eight o'clock. a line was then formed,
headed by the visiting Commandery,
and a short parade preceded the eXer-
cises at the church. The knights made
a srikingly handsome appearance IN
their natty uniforms, and marched with
military precision. They received
many complimentary remarks from
the persons who crowded the sidewalks.
There were about 125 Knights in line.
The church was not reached until
$50 o'clock. and the services COM
menced Immediately. A pleasing fea-
ture was the special musical pro-
gramme arranged by Prof. j. A.
Raynes, and rendered under his leader
ship and direction. Several hymns
were sung by the vested choir, and Mrs.
Flora Williams contributed a pleasing
solo, Seats were reserved for the
Knights, and the congregation COM
fortably filed the edifice
The sermon was delivered by the rec
tor. Rev. DR.. r. Rush SwOpe, and was
listened to attentively throughout. He
was assisted in conducting the services
by Rev. DR.. Birmingham, of st.
Lukes, and Rev. Lee n. Young, Of St.
Andrews Mission DR.. Swope took
his text from the Epistle to the Ephe-
SLAMS Sth., V. In his eXordum, he said
the feast of the Ascension and the les
sons which it teaches were familiar to
all the Knights. He therefore selected
one lesson, upon which he would en-
large. ChriSt's ascension gave to the
world men. His ministry on earth was
very short. He gathered about him
certain men OF the peasant class, rude
and untutored, but put into their minds
ideas which were entirely unknown
previous to that time-ideas regarding
their social relations, their duties to
their brothers. to themselves, to their
God. He gave them a higher idea Of
religion, and they began to study it.
He preached the brotherhood Of man
and destroyed the prevalent idea that
the Jews were His chosen people.
The disciples accepted the new idea
and carried it out in all its particulars.
God placed them in an entirely diff
ferent position from that which they
had previously occupied. Peter prac-
ticed humility in mind and state, as
also did John. They were imbued
with the Christ-like spirit, and their
characters became strong. They went
everywhere, and by their humility, by
the faith that was in their hearts, they
accomplished the establishment Of
Christianity on earth.
The reverend speaker told his hear
ers they should be men of the same
character as the disciples. They were
called by Christ to be men of this char
acter. Why? Because they were born
in q Christian community, surrounded
by Christian influences and should eX-
ert themselves to the uplifting OF their
brothers. How shall the power be ex-
ercised, in order that we may have an
influence for good over those with
whom we come in contact, There was
a time when it was thought that men
should practice self-abnegation, shut
themselves up from the world, in order
to serve God best. That is a supersti-
ton of the past.
We must be successful men. Men
fail through their own weakness and
inability to grasp the things that lead
to success. What is success? The ac-
QUESTION of wealth? No. It is well to
be energetic. but if it makes you sell
fish. and takes you out of touch with
the world. your business is wrong. To
be successful in business, it must be
conducted with the idea of helping
mankind, of assisting and elevating
your brother man, and not simply to
crafty selfish desires.
The speaker touched briefly upon the
social and industrial questions, and
stated that a man will be always right
if he possesses the true Christian spirit,
and does not act from selfish motives.
me manu- OF OLullApOlO4tNC SOAIA OAS anu
directs in certain channels all created
things. Man alone possesses the power
of will and for the manner Is" which
he exercises it will he be held respon-
sible.
No life can be thoroughly rounded,
unless worship enters into it. Difficult
as it is to understand, there are many
persons in whose lives God does not
enter, who d6 not attend divine wor-
ship. Such a life, such a man is in
complete. The spark of worship is IN
each man. and when it is not developed
it is because it is crushed out and ex-
/ unguished
In closing, the reverend speaker ex-
horted his listeners to embrace the op-
portunity which God offers to all men.
He pictured the ideal Christian life
and its future reward. At the con-
clusion of the services the Knights
again formed in line, and marched TO
the Masonic Temple.
Here the visiting members were
handsomely entertained by the two
r,-,,-,,n1nvfoc All sat