The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-04-29


The public installation of REV. Joseph
speer as pastor OF the Second Presby-
terrain church occurred at that church
last evening, before a congregation that
filled the large audience room Of the
edlaee Many of those present were
from other Presbyterian congregations
in the city, with a fair sprinlsling OF
members from other denominations. The
services were quite Interesting and very
impressive in character.
u Rev. Laverty Greer, pastor OF the
Stone Church congregation, presided.
The services opened with the reading OF
portion OF the first chapter of Corin-
thinns, by Rev. DR.. d. A. Cunningham,
OF the First Presbyterian church. and
after prayer by Rev. Greer and a selec-
tion by the choir, Rev. DR.. ]. d. Moffat,
former pastor Of the Second church, and
at present the president OF Washington
Jefferson college, was introduced and
delivered the sermon. Rev Mofat's
discourse was a thoughtful and logical
EFFORT, breathing the spirit OF the occa-
sion. He took for his text part OF the
18th verse OF the third chapter Of C0los-
SLAMS; ''Let the word OF Christ dwell in
you richly IN all wisdom" The raYer-
end speaker said that the expression
was figurative, but It was possible TO ar
rive at a definite conception Of what was
meant. The question was what are we
to understand2 It was not necessary TO
distinguish Christ from God, for they
were OF one mind. Many distinguish
the word OF God from the Bible. The
word was spoken before II was recorded.
1t was like the ledger Of the merchant,
where he recorded his Liabilities by
means OF words we communicate TO
others. There are other ways, such as
signs or gestures, but there are none SO
satisfactory as Language. God revealed
his mind to us In words. In the seven
denominations are revealed the thoughts
Of God. The mind, heart and will Of
God 10 the word. What Is the meaning
Of the. WORD TO dwell in uS?" 1t iB to
receive the revelation In the spirit 1t was
revealed. I receive q letter from q
friend, but It is necessary to read It to
know what Is In 1t.
What Is the end. that God revealed
Himself TO US? That the man of God
might be made perfect. We must read
and study the word to profit by It Many
men accept the scriptures and read them
for History, others for science, blogra-
ply and poetry, and still others for liter
airy style. But God never revealed HIM
self for the purpose of teaching history,
science or literature. but t6perfect our
selves; to know what good works are
and be melted to perform them.
Any person can find fault with the
Bible, the most Ignorant can do that.
But let any man read Gods word and he
will surely be guided to a better life.
Then there Is the motive Of God In his
revelation. What is that motive?
Love, and love Is the fulfllment of the
law. 1t teaches us. to know how to love
God and our neighbors as ourselves.
Gods love for us IL His reason for re-
veallng Himself to u.s.
II we set before us the end that God
did we shall be wise and attain wisdom.
Every word Of Jesus possesses power.
In the beginning God said let there be
light; and there was light. On the
stormy sea Of Gsllllee Christ said. peace
be still, and there was a great calm.
Before the grave OF the dead Christ said,
Lazarus come forth, and Lazarus came
forth. But the word OF Jesus can save
as well as perform miracles In overcom-
Ing physical laws"
Referring to the installation OF the
new pastor, Rev. Moffat inquired what
was the significance OF the event2 That
man was the minister of the word, and
that as hearers of the word they were to
received the words OF Christ that they
might abound in works Of charity and
mercy.
After a solo, sung with much eSprea-
sion and feeling, by Mrs. George B.
Caldwell. REV. Greer arose and read the
action OF the Presbytery In passing on
the call extended to Rev. Speer He
then questioned the new pastor as to his
final acceptance; and also the congrega-