The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-31
REV. DR.. FAIR INSTALLED.
DIR. HoGE, OF RICHMOND, PREsID-
ED AT THE SOLEMN CEREMONIES.

sermon Preached by the DiStin-
guished Divine From Richmond.
Impressive and solemn were the cere-
nonies attendant upon the installation or
Rev. James Y. Fair, D. D., as pastor or
the independent Presbyterian church, last
night.
The church was filed to its capacity.
and the great asles from the vestibule
to the pulpit were choked with chairs to
accommodate the gathering of the con-
gregation and their friends.
The music was exceptionally sweet and
enchanting. The members of the choir
have reason to be congratulated upon
their part of the ceremonies and their
music, which is always a delight to the
members of the church, was praised most
literally by the people who heard it,
Rev. DR.. Moses d. Hoge, the eminent
pastor of the Second Presbyterian church
Of Richmond. preached the sermon and
conducted the ceremonies of the installa-
ton. He preached from the following
text:
Matthew xvii: 5: "While he yet spake,
behold bright cloud overshadowed them:
said, ''Ths is my beloved Son. in whom l
am well pleased; hear ye him
From this appropriate text the
distinguished divine drew some force
full lessons bearing with partic-
ular stress upon the spirits of
the occasion. He spoke of the life of
Christ and his greatness and goodness.
Of
safety to the hearts of men. He said that
there has never been but one Christ in the
history of the world, and yet that Christ
is the pillar of all faith and the strength
of all creeds. There have been many pro-
moters of new faiths and creeds since the
world began, but none of them ever preach
ed a doctrine which is so steadfast so eter-
nally permanent as the doctrine preach
ed by Christ which is the doctrine of the
world of religions to-day He spoke Of
the reverence inspired by the name even
in the breast of the pretending unbeliever
whenever it is mentioned, and how the
world universally treats it with reveren-
tial respect
DR.. Hoge told of an incident related by
England how a number of literary peo-
pie were once with Charles Lamb, and
began talking of departed literary gent
uses and masters of the domain of
thought. Suppose" said one, that Dante
whose keen eye saw the horrors of the
Internal regions, and likewise the gilded
paths to paradise, should come among US
this instant" and they all spoke of the de-
light his presence would give them And
then some one said suppose Shakespeare
should come among them, and they chat
ted pleasantly over the reception they
would give the greatest dramatist OF the
worlds history. And then some one Sc
marked suppose Jesus Christ should
come among us" At once the face of
Lamb grew serious and changed. why,
we would, of course, all greet him on our
knees" Wherever the name is sounded
1t commands solemn respect and rever-
ence among men.
DR.. Hodge spoke of the magnetism of
Christ and his sway with the mulutudes
wherever he went on earth. He preached
a forceful sermon on the personality of
the living Christ, his amiable nature, his
gentle, kind voice, his self sacrifice and
all the forces of character that made the
human super human.
The sermon was greatly enjoyed by the
congregation and went to the hearts of
those present, carrying comfort as wei as
wisdom, for many were the lessons
brought out of the text which gave in
struction and solace alike.
Approaching the conclusion of the dis
course DR.. Hoge said: And now, my
friends, have told you of the life and the
work of our beloved Christ with a purpose
which blends with the purpose of my mis-
sion here to-night-the installation of my
friend, who Is to be your pastor. You
have delivered your call TO DR.. James Y.
atr oF nd n a
lowed him to accept II. He Is here at
your call, to undertake the responsible
duties which lie before him. You have
taken him from a community where he
has been held I'm high esteem by every one
who knew him, and beloved with infinite
ferVor by those with whom he, in his
daily work, came in contact as pastor. All
Richmond sorrowed at his departure"
With these and other appropriate re-
marks of commentator, DR.. Hoge pro-
pounded the following questions TO DIR,
Fair. the candidate and pastOr-elect, who
arose from his pew and stood before the
pulpit in the main aisle:
Are you now willing to take the charge
of this congregation. as their pastor
agreeably to your declaration at accept
ing their call2
do you conscientiously believe and de
clare, as far as you know your own heart
that in taking upon you this charge YOU
mote the glory of God and the good o.
his church,
do you solemnly promise that, by thu
assistance Of the grace Of God, you vii
endeavor faithfully TO discharge all TIT
duties of a pastor to this congregation
and will be careful to maintain deport
ment in all respects becoming a minister
of the gospel OF Christ, agreeably 10 you
ordination engagements"
DR.. Fair made response In tones Of ear
nestness: by the grace of God, ! do"
Turning TO the people of the congrega
ton, DR.. Hoge propounded these ques
tons:
do you, the people OF this congregation
continue TO profess your readiness to re
ceive DR.. James Y. Fair, whom you hav
called to be your minister?
do you promise TO receive the word o
truth from his mouth, with meekness an,
love and submit to him in the due exer
else Of discipline2
"Do you promise to encourage him II
his arduous labor, and to assist his en-
deayors for your instruction and spirit
ual OBLIGATION?
And do you engage to continue 20 aim
while he Is your pastor. that competen
worldly maintenance which YOU hay