Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-16
ALL WORK FOR GOOD.
mn. srrLER's FINE SERMON FROM
THESE COMFORTING WORDS.
ANNIVERSARY OF MELANCTHOE.
Anpropriate Services I'm the Luthe-
nan Churches ON Sunday-Dr. Tu-
dor breaches on Practical Chris
,ianity-Othcr Services.


crozcr theological Seminary. preached
two fno sermons TO large congregations.
Tho music was Of high order. the
e,rineel orchestra recently introduced
oddinr greatly TO this feature OF the
services. Dr. SITTER took his text in the
morning from Romans, Sth chapter. 2Sth
ana 9th verses: And we know that all
things work together for good to them
that love God. 20 them who are called
according to His purpose. For whom lie
old foreknow He also did predestinate
10 Doe c0nformed TO the image OF His Son.
that DE might be the first born among
many brethren"
The Doctor announced In the outset
thai The text alludes to the sorrows OF
life said he; "An artist has an I'M
slightly rude piece of stone. and how
ugly il does appear to the eye, but after
passing under the skilled hand and
chisd OF the artist, how beautiful
10 becomes and how pleasing to the
eye. Just so it is in human life Christ
Is tle model we are the clay. Not some,
bat all things. work together for good.
The pen q inspiration must have writ
ten this word all. IL is only inspira-
t.ou that can say that all things work
together for good. 1t was hard for Jo-
scph 90 believe that ali things worked
together for good. when he was sold into
Egpt; 10 is hard for a man whose
bank account is growing smaller daily
60 eXclaim, All things work together for
good. and IL is not true that all things
90 work together for good, but 1t IS
true that all things work together for
good 10 them that love God.
USED AS GODS INSTRUMENTS.
Sorrows are instruments in Gods
hands, the speaker continued Ito
sharpen and brighten the soul. Sorrows
and dlstresses are Gods telegraph wires
TO the soul. God is all things, and He
is never so near us as when we are
standing under some great sorrow These
sorrows are Gods tools, and He is the
workman. These Affections are fitting US
f0r glory.
Notice" continued the speaker, "the
words, work together Life is not with
out plan. The rude log, when first
sawed by the woodman, has no attrac-
Nveness, but carry il TO the artisan who
takes IL through a process which in
wolves a lot OF complicated machinery,
bands, pulleys, saws, lathes, hammers.
Chisels-all work together TO beautify
This rude piece of wood, which is to
Rdorn the parlor The crude iron-ore,
from which the smooth rail is made
on which glides yon railroad train, is
carried through a similar process. God
predestined man TO be like Him. and
lie is working. Photographs are not
made by light alone, but by darkness,
as well. both working together TO bring
about the desired result. Just so with the
saints They were not made in ease
and luxury, but in sorrow they were
shaped for Gods use. These light afllic-
tions shall work out far more
exceeding and eternal weight Of glory.
A wise God in all things"
SPEAKS OK GODS PLANS.
Dr. SITTER preached at the evening SER
vice from the words found in Isaiah,
Xiv, q: Il have blotted out as a thick
cloud thy transgressions, and, as a
cloud thy sins; return unto Me, for /
have redeemed thee"
The preacher hkened the believing
man, whose sins had been for
given. TO the clear. blue sky. from which
the black clouds have rolled away,
and cited many passages from Holy Writ
10 substantiate his many strong ar
guments. Both sermons greatly de-
lighted the large audiences.
The MeInncthon Celebration.
The 4OOth anniversary of the birth of
MelancthOn. the great reformer was OBJ
served in the Lutheran churches on sun
day. St. Johns church had been beau
tifully decorated for the occasion,
conspicuous feature being a large por-
tIait Of Melancthon. which was hung
over the altar.
The musical features of the two SER
vices were very attractive. Professor
ThIow's orchestra supplemented the
organ. at which Professor John Baseler
presided. and at the offertory a delight
fu trio. composed by the organist, was
sung by Mrs. j. r. Anderson, Jr., Mr..
and Mrs II. c. Rueger
AT the morning service Rev Dr. Paul
Mcneil, the pastor OF the church, gave
The story of Melancthon's life from his
birth February IS, 1897, until Luther's
death February is, 1916. lie dwelt par
tcuarly upon the scholarly attachments
of the reformer. and the great service
he rendered TO the cause
In the evening the pastor dwelt upon
Mclancthon's closing years In Philippus
MeaucthOn, he SAID, we admire the
prophet. the martyr and the father OF
Christian unity among the Protestant
churches.
AIR. MOREHEAD on CHRISTIANITY.
At the First English Lutheran church
there was a special service on Sunday
evening in honor Of the anniversary
Rev Dr. j. A. Morehead, pastor OF the
church. delivered an eloquent eulogy on
Mdaucthon's spiritual life, his profound
knowledge. his power in controversy
and his great executive ability. Inc
famous Augsburg Confession, Of which
Meaucth0n was the author, stands To-
day The standard of the Lutheran
Church and the basis OF every other
Protestant creed. IL is fact. said Ut
M0rc head. that while other churches are
constantly discussing and altering their
articles of faith. the Lutheran Church
remains perfectly satisfied with the con
fessious framed by Philip Melancthon'
DR.. Tudor on Practical Christianity
Rev DR. Tudor preached to large
congregation at Centenary church on
Sunday night He took his text from
Acts viii. verse %: GO near. and join
tlyscf TO this chariot" He said, III
part:
Philip am early preacher, walking along
road, had an impulse TO oyertake
carriage in which a man was rldlhB'
Who having a vacant seat beside NM
invited Philip 10 mount and take IL. IN
terDst for youth, or in behalf OF young
men, might find an appropriate formula
of speech for its generous imuulses IN
iae wOrds-"Go near. and join thyseh
~ This chariot" one might say. when
sec "a Young man driving fuTiously along
Oh the chariot of ambition or pleasure
have an impulse TO go near and join
myself for interview and counsel The
chariot Of life is a good figure Of speech.
|r. II. B. to