Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-01-16
A MEMORIAL SERMON

The Early Days of the
Presbyterian Church in
Las Vegas, the Topic of
a Discourse by Rev. Nor
man Skinner, Last Sa-
bath, January 10th,
1897.
Deuteronomy s.2 Thou shalt remember
a | the way which the Lord thy God
led thee.
The activities and aspirations OF the
past are might factors In the achievements
OF the present. Histery is always prophe-
cy. forecastipg and guaranteeing the fu-
tht trefore, wherein the Divine Hand unseen
has wrought deliversnce and progress and
has established. truth, righteousness and
spiritual ideals, MT only affords reason for
thankful acknowledgment of mercies be-
slowed, but becomes = living inspiration
10 heroic action, aud q pledge OF eternal
success in all genuine spiritual effors. In.
sight into Gods presence In history newt
ably becomes foresight Of the Divine,
Eternal purpose OF human REDEEM ption,
1.-The ons, far on. Divine vent
To which tn , who 9 ere alton moves"
The genius of the great prophet oiscerned
this truth when he enjolned the ancient
people Of Israel In the words:-''TDou
shalt remem5e -. the way In which the
Lord thy God 10 tbee." Even tho this
record which we consider to-day presents
no great instance OF spectacular heroism
and no marvellous achievements, measured
| hu RI utaudardaa a las
speaks to us prophetically, foretelling
what may be accomplished in this very
place by those WHO devote themselves to
Gods work, and SO establish these stand
ards which constitute the kingdom Of
Christ. The patient labor, the willing sac
rifces, the unremitting prayer, the whole
hearted consecration, the struggles for tho
spiritual elevation Of this region, the seed
ing OF this place with the very life of men
filled with the Spirit OF God, has been gen
uipe heroism aud, as God lives, it is pre-
dictive prophecy. IL is, too, vital with in
spiration, aud speaks to us to-day with all
the stirring fervor OF the Apostolic call;
Nv heref re seeing we are also co~passed
about with. SO great cloud of Witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight and she sin
which doth SO easily besst US, and let Us
run with patience the race that Is set be-
fore us, looking unto Jesus, the author and
finisher Of our faith"
y.
The story Of the Presbyterian church In
Las Vegas, begins with the arrival Of the
Rev. John A. Amin, on the twenty fourth
DAY of October, 1869. The circumstances
which led him to this field are not definite
ly known to me now. He him self says, in
sermon preached In the old Mission
church, July 2. 1876: my own coming to
this place in 1869, was matter in which
and with which, I.may say, had very lit
H. In ha uva q
that passlve sort OF agency which consists
chiefly or only in waiting. listening to
what others had to say, in seeking divine
guidance by prayer and in q purpose and
desire to follow the leadings of Providence
whitbersoever they might point the way.
| The interview In which the subject was
| first mentioned to me was an interview en-
tirely unsought and unexpected by DE, OF
very few things in my little and iusigniH.
cant history can ! say with more truth
and with deeper conviction Of the truth
! of it, than of my coming to New Mexico.
| 1t was the Lords doing, and it was and
| still is marvellous in my eyes. A superln-
tending and infinite Intelligence presides
over each individual life and history. THE
steps of goad map are ordered by the
Lord"
Il is characteristic Of, this man to say
little about himself, and my efforts to
| learn the details OF his life here have had
scapt results. The, only other informa-
| tion obtained Is given in his sermon at
the dedication Of the west side church,
September 8. 1877, in which be writes
SIN any statement intended to be accurate
aud full, of missionary efforts in New
Mexico, their origin and the countenance
and support they have received, it is i'm.
| possible to omit the name OF Mrs. Cornelis
i w, Martyn. Of Auburn, N. Y. It is to be
i presumed of course that by and before
/ this time missionaries would have been
set at work In the Territory, IL she had
never existed. But am much mistaken II
in facs the sending OF the Gospel hitheI
i and men to. preach the 4ospei, did POI
I originate in hsr MUD and heart. Having
as early as 1865 or earlier, some relatives
here IN the military service, she becamt
| interested in the spiritual welfare of thu
/ native people of whose deep degradation
she heard, and she seems to have had ni
rest in her spirit until hsomething was done
for their elevation and salvation. In ad
dition to her own individual exertions anG
sacrifices, Mrs. Martyr was largely o.
| wholly instrumentaliin'br bringing together
in common Christian wi,rk'and zeal fol
/ it, the several ladies who became subse
auently organized and Incorporated as tn,
Ladies' Board tp the City Of New York
The work Of Presbg gterian missions in thu
Territory is very largely indebted to tha
| Ladies Board. MRS. James II Vfanam Ia
been the President from the BEGINNING, ant
to these two LADIES' Mrs, Martyr and Mrs
Graham fand this is the point | wish +
emphasize on this oecasionl. this church
this edifice, and this enterprise in Las We
gas are probably more indebted thsn to an,
other human instrumentality Others nav
labored and prayed and given, and t
l-otbers whose ma mes / either do not know
or knowing do not mention. we ell, ant
all who have anY interest in the success
of our work and in ethesfevangelizstlon o
this resion, owe heavy debt of graf
itude."
This is all have yet learned OF th
causes which broughtsihis1 pioneer to ou