The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-10
HIS FAREWELL SERMON.
REV. Gro. &. ABBJIT ADDRESSED 4
ItRGE CONGELGATION SUNDAY.
Ar .hbi,t VIII Leave This Week for His
New Home in NJ sterling ky.-ser-
vices i'm Other Churches Sunday,

A large congregation attended the SER
vices at St. Marks Protestant Episcopal
church ON Sunday morning. when Rev.
George c. Abbitt preached his farewell
sermon Mr.. Abbitt. who has been rec
TOR ~ the church for about four years.
,.,u leave this week FOR his new parish
Mr. Abbltt selected IS his text Judges
assisted in the morning services.
Mr.. Abbitt selected as his text Judge
vii. 2: And the Lord said unto Gideon
bv the three hundred men that Tapped
will save Won and deliver the Midianites
into thine hand ana let an 'ho o,''~'
,'l,,,lo 90 every man unto his place
p,,rir., The mast week most Of us talked
atout me- else than matters political,
e,id tho minister. We have heard NUM-
erous ccmplaints as TO the prevailing nara
tiroea md the cause OF the same. hdrd
times not only come In this country, ana
al This time. but even the children OF
Israel have often been afflicted with
hard times. The trouble which afflicted
Israel according TO the text, was caused
by their rising against God, ana our
present trouble may have originated from
the same cause. II We tried to serve the
Lord no enc would ever be in want
BY A SMALL NUMBER.
Gideon was raised up from an ola roe
and when the children Of Israel were
driven to the very verge OF distress, they
turned again to God. and lie heard
them and Immediately saved them. A very
striking feature was the extremely small
number bv which Israel was saved. Gid
con first selected $1,000 men. but at the
Lords command this number was cut
down 10 300. When Jesus Christ left this
world he gathered about him only twelve
men and told them 10 20 into all the
world 10 preach the gospel The fact
that God uses small numbers TO do His
work ought 10 make men very humble
in the sight OF God.
when God selected Gideon as the leader
Of the children Of Israel He picked out
n man of great valor. who was at the
same time humble and cautious. God
is always careful that He shall have
tho right man ar the head Of His work.
When Jesus Christ wants 10 send some
one TO the Gontiles 10 preach the gospel
Tie selects q man exactly fitted for the
work
God did not only select Gideon as the
leader. but He also selected the right
men 10 fight under him. "ihe three hum
bred men that Tapped men q wonderful
courage. 90 bee firm and steadfast in the
greatest danger When man does not
accept Jesus Christ, &c is not because the
Lord does not choose him, but because
man does not want 10 bee chosen. God
cannot use as If we are not united for
His purpose.
WELL ORGANIZED.
The little band that followed Gideon
was wei organized, and formed a great
contrast 10 the masses OF Midianites Large
numbers of people cannot accomplish
much 81 they are not organized. Gods
church must DE organized 10 do effective
work. Organization Is necessary I'm order
that the individual may gain the greatest
result and AN individuals must work
together. But there Us no church orgaiIi-
cation that can do the work that must
ftll upon us as individuals. such work
as seeing men face TO face and talk to
them about their salvation.
We should thank God that lie is willing
20 use us for the accomplishment Of His
work. We are cO-lahOrers with God. and
having God work with MS We need have
no fear OF success although our band
may be small. Some times our eyes are
closed 10 the great power Of our brothers
who are working on our side But il
God opens our eyes and we have faith
We need not fear struggles. and even II
we are sometime defeated in our con-
test, we can rest assured that we will
finally succeed.
ON sunday afternoon Rev. Mr.. Abbitt
preached his las. sermon 90 the children.
The service was also well attended. on
both occasions the singing by the sur
p'iced choir was very fine. There were
10 evening services Bishop G. Q. Penick
OF Baltimore who succeeds Mr.. Abbltt
az rector OF ST. Mark church will preach
his INST sermon next Sunday morning.