The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-21
REV. A. J. SMITH INSTALLED.
FIRsvr PREsBYTERIANs GREET
THEIR NEW PASTOR.

Rev. w. A. Nisbet's Impressive
Cha rye to His Duty to the Church.
Rev. j. l.. Wards Charge to the
Con sIregatiOn--The Line of Work
of ! Zach Clearly Laid DOwn-The
Com EregatiOn's Formal welcome
TO lss New Minister.
Rov Arthur ]. Smith was installed yes
terday morning as pastor of the First
PTesby torian church. Rev. w. A. Nisbet
of the Second Presbyterian church and
Rev. J. 2. Ward of Quitman constituted
the conn nittee appointed by the presbytery
to cond act the installation.
Rev. Mr.. Nisbet preached the sermon,
which was drawn from the text found in
tbs fifth and tenth verses of the first chap
ter of Peter. at the conclusion of which
the for1nalities incidental to a minister 5
inst allation were begun.
Mr. Nyisbet asked the pastor-elect the
usual questions regarding his conduct as
pastor and received the assurance that
the chm rchs welfare would be his chief
aim. The congregation was then asked
the Gust 1mary questions, and the unani-
nous vote of Mr.. Smiths acceptance as
pastor was given.
Mr.. ST. nth, after the members had sig
nifed tn. sir choice, was requested to stand
while Mr.. Nisbet pronounced him duly
elected a AID installed as pastor
The CHI urge to the pastor was begun by
Mr.. Nisb,et, to whom the presbytery had
assigned he duty. He began his charge
by exhorti ug the new pastor to remember
and magnify his office, thinking always
of the fact that he is Gods helper and
His minister on earth, and taking the
highest possible view of the position in
which it is possible to do the greatest
good. The pastor was charged to preach
always the word of God. as
Timothy was told to preach the word.
Diligent and car eful preparation before at
tempting to preach the word was advised,
so that mistakes might be avoided and
the best results attained This prepara-
ton, he was toh. should not be purely
that of the head, but the heart should
be also center from which it must come
as people are often reached through their
hearts when appeals to the intellect would
be lost. he was exhorted never to neg
lect his pastoral work, for, if that is neg
lected, the pulpit work suffers, just as the
pastoral work is not so effective the pull
pit is not properly filled. The poor were
commended to him for a full share of his
pastoral care, and the aged for the COM
tort and reinsurance they should receive
Rev. J. p. Ward was assigned the dutv
OF addressing the congregation. In his
charge he asked the members to remember
always that they are members of the
church of God and to enter into the spirit
Of the work with the pastor. too
great entertainment of the idea that a
pastor is lnerely hired servant was dis
countenane ed, and the congregation was
told that 1t should study to aid the minis
ter IN temporal way and by the spirit
ual help of prayer The members of tbe
church should give that assistanaca
to his work which would be the result of
correct department and piety, displayed
abroad, Just as the standard of excellence
is established for an institution bv the
ability of it's alumni
After Mr.. Smith had pronounced the
benediction the members of the church ( as
they had been requested to do gathered to
greet him as pastor.
Rev. Arthur r. Smith is by birth a Can
adam, but his family left the provinces for
Boston when he was about IL years Old.
and that place he has sirtce claimed as his
home. He is now about 81 years old and
has been engaged in evangelical work for
a number of years, his entrance into the
ministry being a step from the inspiration
caught from the Young Mems Christian
Association Prior to this time Mr. Smith
was a commercial traveller for a Boston
house. He was in Savannah last spring.
acting as a supply to the vacant pulpit of
the First church. The congregation was
then so well pleased with him that it was
later determined to extend him the call to
the pastorate.