The Charlotte Democrat., 1897-03-04
PASTOR INSTALLED.
IMPRESSIVE SERVICES AT FIRST
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Rev. DIR. Shearer, President of David
son College, breaches the lnstalla-
ton Sermon, and Rev. J.W. Stagg
Charges Pasto and Congregation

\naESSS FdS IOE oHo ~o"SA
Rev. J. r. Howerton, D. D., was
Sunday installed as pastor of the
First Presbyterian church, of this
city
All the Presbyterian churches in
the city united in the services, the
church being packed by the large
congregation.
After the singing of the anthem,
Gift up thine eyes," Rev. J. W.
Stagg read an appropriate passage
of scripture and led in prayer.
The congregation ang part of
the 139th Psalm.
Rev. DR.. J. B. Shearer, president
of Davidson College, then preached
the sermon, taking as his text Ro-
mans II: 13, 81 magnify mine Of
fee" His subject was the GLORY
and Dignity of the Christian Minis
try"
DR.. Shearer said that his pleasure
and satisfaction in being present on
this occasion was added to by the
fact that DR.. Howerton had COM
menced his preparation for the pas
torate under his ministry twenty
years ego.
He said the calling of minister,
was glorious in its titles; he is called
''pastor" or shepherd, to preserve
and feed and minister to; ''elder,"
which implies experience, eminence,
wisdom ard authority; "bishop," or
overseer, the teaching function COM
bned; Christ's ambassador, he speaks
for his King.
The office is glorious III the nature
of the work. He bears message Of
peace, hope and reconciliation, par
don. redemption and eternal life. 1t
is not ministry of angels, but is
committed to eartbern vessels frail.
He is a temporal and spiritual COM
forter, rejoices with those who re.
joice and weep with those who
mourn; he is master builder in the
temple of which Jesus Christ is the
corner stone.
The work in detail may be con-
sidered. He is::a living stone; "we
are Gods building, but are also la
borers together;' co worker with
God in preparing the soul for eter'
nal life. The minister is the Cap,
tain of the Lords hosts
The office is glorious in the char
acter of those required to fill it; the
necessity of personal holiness is i'm
perative He must have consecra
tion, fixedness of, purpose, intensity
of zeal for saving souls; he must be-
lieve in his message and mission.
His success depends on his faith
and prayer.
The office is glorious in its Two
fold rewards, those pertaining to the
present life, and those in the life tx
come. In this life he has comfort
able provision for himself and fami
ly, the highest social position ant
leaves the heritage of a goodly name
And he has inetfable rewards anC
glories in the life that is to come.
He then appealed to the parent
in the congregation and asked i
they had no sous to dedicate to God
as Hannah gave her little Samuel.
REV. j. W. STAGES CHARGE.
Rev. J. W. Stagg, pastor of tn
Second Presbyterian church, asked
the required questions, and charged
the pastor and the congregation.
In his charge to the minister Mr.
Stagg said, the first thing impor
tant is to realize the question, Wha
can Christ do for men? Christ i
the only personality men cannot ex-
plain. He must stand as witness
that Christ died to save men from
sin. This is day in which mucf
passes for Christianity that is no
Christian. Christianity is not book
or creeds, but Christ He mus
realize that he is the agent, tn,
voice of God. It seems that tn
Kingdom of Christ moves with cas-
in this day. Be not deceived; ther
is much for every man to do. Mk
the electric light, it has the bright
est light and throws the darkes
shadow. Let this church be like ,
city set Oh a hill May its light g
out to light all the world.
DR.. Howerton stood at the chan
eel, while the deacons and elders o
the church gave him the right ham
of greeting.
After the singing of hymn 55e
DR.. Howerton lmpressiyely pronoun
ced the benediction.