The record-union., 1897-09-13
new PASTORS FIRST SERMON
REV. LESLIE DRAKE TAKES UP
HIS WORK HERE
Introductory Sermon at the Chris
tian Church-Eloquent and
ForcibIe Speaker.

Rev. Leslie Drake of Saratoga VINO
has been called to the pastorate OF the
Christian Church at Sixteenth ana L
streets. succeeding Rev. J. h. Denton
I'D the pulpit yesterday morning
and preached an excellent Introductory
sermon.
Rev. Mr.. Drake is a pleasing and per-
suasive speaker, and a master OF SIM
lie. He is of rather commanding ap-
pearance, has a good voice, ana heia
his audience to the end by the speIi
OF his magnetic eloquence-
The church met in communion before
the regular services, and the tuIi Ilehl-
bership was present. The new pastor
took his text from Genesis, xxxll q:
And Jacob was left alone, and there
wrestled man with him until the
breaking of the day"
In every life, Mr.. Drake said, there IS
q. crisis day, and in almost every IN
stance the future Of the individual de-
pends upon whether or not advantage
is taken of ii. There were many great
days in the life of Simon, the Usher
man. but the crisis day did not come
until he stood on the sands of Galllee'
and looking into the eyes OF Jesus,
said. Yea. Lord, Thou knowest L love
Thee Tt was then that his eyes were
opened to the magnitude and power OF
the Master and Simon took the Tue at
the flood.
There were great days in the life OF
David, too. That was great day wheIi
he received the promise that he should
one day be King of Israel; that was
great day when he overcame the giant,
and that was a great day Wheh ne
was crowned King. but it was not until
after he had placed Uriah in the pattle
front, that he might have UI1ah WlIe'
that the greatest day of all came. IL
was when David went to his housetop
and cried: "Oh, Cod create IN me
new heart!" that the crisis was at
hand. 1t was then that the spirit set
tied On him, and the crisis day was
there.
In the life of Jacob, the pastor con-
+inued there were many wonderful
days. There was great deal OF clay
in Jacobs makeup. Jacob was
cunning man, and a man OF business
through and through. He was sup
planter, and a swindler, and was what
would be called to-day successful
man. 1t was a great day with him
when be robbed his brother of his BIRTH
right and another when he saw his
fiocks increase on every side, but the
crisis ,lid not come until he Wrestled
with God beside the brook, with no eye
TO watch the outcome.
1t mattered little whether JACOB
wrestied in the flesh or in the spirit.
The fact remains that he was overcome,
and in the end recognized a master
in the God of Israel. 1t was then that
the crisis day arrived. Jacob surren-
dered completely, and after acknowl-
edging the power and omnipotence or
God. the order was given that no long
er should his name be Jacob, but Is
rael. Prince of God. That was the
crisis in Jacobs life.
In conclusion the pastor said the
crisis day in all lives is when COM
plete. full and unconditional surren-
der has been made to God 1t is then.
and then only that men and women
become princes and princesses of God.
JJnselfshness he said is the law of
God and the law of the church, and
without it there can be no complete
surrender. There are no half-hearted
servants of God, and the true duty of
all Chr istians consists in doing good TO
their fellow-men.
At the conclusion of the sermon the
new pastor held an informal reception,
at which he received the members OF
the church. and was given hearty as
surance of their assistance in his work