The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-26

asked the invocation prayer, Rev. j. A.
spencer read the Scriptures. Rev. X. j.
Wmlneham offered the regular Thanks
sizing nraver. and at the conclusion OF
tho services Rev. George Cooper pro-
nounced the benedlction. Before the SER
mon Mr. Sweeney requested the singing
., the national hymn. America In
which the congregation joined hearuiy'
THB SERMON.
The speaker began ms nlheouISs py
saving he would depart from 'ne oiu Gus
tom OF dwelling upon our past acnleVe-
ments and look toward the future AZ no
na,ior can repose long on faded laureis.
Aa a country we are very weak IN some
of the clements which have always peen
called strength among the nations OF
earth. We have no AMY nor nav as
compared with other countries pul We
are great I'm the elements that eAalt the
individual over the Government NAN
IS a thinker. a talker and an actor. Inc
men who laid the foundations OF TINS
Government realized this fact. ana al
iusted the nature OF the Government 10
it, They provided the public school 10
stimulate thought. the printing press 10
give expression 10 thought. and the ballot
box TO crystaIize speech into action. Each
of these great institutions has It's enemy.
The public schools, the printing press and
the ballot box are threateners with dis
ruption. The remedy for all the above
is the active participation In all the duties
Of citizenship by our best citizens. If
orr Government fails. 81 will be because
Of the shirks in the better class OF ciu-
zenship that consider themselves 100 good
to control the primaries and conventions.
The congregation was very large and
representative. An Offering was made to
for the Sick and the Woman's Christian
Association. and a goodly sum was raised.
EVENING SERVICES.
Tho largest audience that has attended
the week-night services was present
last night when Rev. Mr.. Sweeney de-
Uvered a powerful sermon on What
Think Yo Of Christi" During the OPEN
ing services Rev. J. r. Garlick. u. D..
and Rev L. a. Cutler participated and
Mr. j.. H. Cloves sung very appropriate
hymn. The sermon OF Mr.. Sweeney was
an argument for the claim Of divinity or
Jesus Christ based upon reasons indie
pendent Of scripture truths and was
both convincing and conclusive. The
most renowned inhdels in their invest-
cations confirm the testimonials OF Ma
thew. Mark. Luke and John. Jesus %
All characters was the only distnctvely
universal one, free from all pecularities
that would make Him purely local in ma
ture. He was the only slnless man,
against whom no charge could be sus-
tanned. When lie answered the ques-
tions as 10 paying tribute by saying
"Rerder under Caesar the things that
arc Caesars and unto God the things
that are Gods" lie forever settled the
matter of the union Of church and state.
Ills supreme wisdom, the nineteen hun
bred years following his advent In when
Ills teachings are confirmed and con-
trarv doctrines proven false tie fact that
GOOD men and angels refuse to be wor-
shipped. while bad men and devils recos-
nize ii. the influence Of His life upon
mon so many years after His death; the
fact that time began when lie came TO
earth. all these vindicate Him as the
Lord Jesus Christ Gods son and our
SAVIOUR.
Tonight Mr.. swtoney's subject will be-
.Is Obedience TO the Moral Law suilici-
ent?' s-..-
nereOns will DO baptiscd.