The record-union., 1897-02-13
EVENING SESSION.
A Large COnCOurse to Listen to Rev.
Or. Sherman.


AT the evening session there was a
song service by members of Sacrament
to Y. w. c. A, joined in by the large
assemblage. and led by Miss Belle Car
qfngton, with Mrs. Lucy Green as ac-
cOmpanist.
Rev. Mr.. Buck read a Scripture les
lesson, after which Rev. DR.. Chapman
offered prayer. Then Mrs. Macfarlane
sang solo, Rock of Ages Miss Belle
Darlington accompanying.
DIR. NJ. NJ. Cronemiiler, on behalf of
the local association, delivered an ad
mirable address of welcome to the vis-
iting delegates in which she urged
them all to come to the meetings in a
prayerful, receptive mood. She urged
upon them all to engage in prayer be-
fore coming TO each meeting.
The members should take careful
notes of the thoughts and expressions,
that may be uttered so that when they
returned to their homes they might
have carried something with them that
would be Of service to them in years
to come.
Rev. DR.. Anderson, on behalf of the
pastors of the city, welcomed the dele
LUIS ne Wa ptlSOIdiIy dCd
with all the pastors in the city. and
could say of them that there was not
handsome man anangst them, but all
had a meek, bowed, subdued look, as
if they had been captured and control
led by their wives.
1t was a good thing to say of them,
but another good thing was that there
was perfect harmony and peace among
them. There was great purpose and
mighty faith among them. Another
good thing was that they were hard
workers, and were thoroughly worked
from early morn to dewy eve.
With such a company of pastors, the
visitors might we'll be assured of
hearty welcome, as they We're all, heart
and soul, in accord with the work of
the association. He paid a high tribute
to the work of the local association.
The pulpits We're open to them day
and night and the homes Of the people
also
The President thanked the people of
Sacramento for the hearty welcome
they had received, and for the way in
which the homes of the people had been
opened TO them.
Rev. E. S. Sherman, D. D., of Oak
land delivered the convention address
on the associa ton motto, Not by
might nor by power, but by my spirit,
saith the Lord of Hosts" He spoke Of
the work of grace that was going on in
Oakland and the glorious revival in
that city.
The association motto was one of
those passages of Scripture that ought
to be considered in its connection. The
people of God had been carried into
captivity, and the city of Jerusalem
laid waste In accordance with Gods
promise. Cyrus the King Of Persia had
allowed them to return and rebuild the
city. and while they had been hindered
in the work, the prophet Zachariah had
arisen and obtained the necessary au-
thorhty and power to carry on the edict.
II was under these circumstances that
the words were uttered
The words were as true now as then,
It was not by the might or power of
human spirit or organization that the
good work Of the Lord was being ac-
ccmplished. 1t was all done by Gods
spirit. There was no greater obstacle
In the way Of doing good than a great
church or other organization without
Gods spirit.
Perseverance would do much. but not
ALL TO accomplish anything. and while
they might admire the perseverance of
the great men and women Of the world.
IL would have been useless unless there
had been the proper spirit and power
within them. There was no book in the
world like the Bible He remembered
when a boy seeing his father persist
enfly pound, pound. pound on a rock
with gentle blows in one place until ii
fell apart when he thought 1t should
have been done by one enormous blow.
The hammer was of no use unless there
was a powerful. skilful hand and arm
behind il, and so il was with all human
work unless Gods spirit was behind 1t.
The Divine Executive was the spirit.
The Savior himself. wrought by the
spirit. and had always so declared. and
his disciples had to wait for the spirit
after His resurrection until il de-
scended upon them forty days after.
A great many people relied on the
prayers of their fathers or their moth
ers, and he thanked God for the efficacy
Of prayer, but they must remember
that 1t was the spirit of God that
prompted the prayer. 1t was the same
in every department of Christian work
and of the Christian life. 1t was all by
the power of the spirit
Constitutional treatment was what
each one needed to get rid of any sin
the incoming and indwelling of the d.
vine spirit What humanity needed
was to be lifted above. His own per-
soral experience in the ministry
showed him that no oratory, no sophis-'
try. no silver tongue would win souls
without the power of Gods spirit.
The light of Gods spirit must be in
TIE individual If it may become a
power in the community. The extent of