Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-12

Rxv. MR. PowELL's MISSIONARY
SERMON TO youNG MEN.
TIE ANGEL OF THE HOUSEHOLD.
DIR. starr Discusses the Question OF
whether She II Fancy or u Fact
DIR. uydc's First sermon on Ancient
Cfffes-Sunday schools.

DIR. uydc's First sermon on Ahc'e"s
Cffies-Sunday schools.
The twenty-fourth anniversary of the
Young Mems Missionary Society Of the
seventh-Street Christian church vas cele-
bra,cd Sunday night in a most interesting
manner. There was great audience
present. including delegates from many
of the other churches Of the city; the re-
ports of the society's work were inspir-
ing. and the exercises were OF a most at
tractlye character.
A special programme had Dcen ar
ranged. and one OF its features was
solo by Captain Cunningham, who ce-
lighted the audience with the rendiuoh
of ''Hark. the Voice OF Jesus Calling NJ
the close of Rev. Mr.. Powels eloquent
and stirring sermon. The pastor. Rev
Jabez Hail. presided. and President J. W.
Peatross submitted a report, giving
very gratifying exhibit Of The work done
by the society. which has IFS members
and raised during the year over SiVo' OF
which 1851 &C was applied to reducing the
debts OF the churches which the organi-
zatien is aiding.
In retiring from the presidency OF the
society. Mr. Peatross thanked the mem
hers for their cordial cooperation In the
work during the year, and sohcited
continuance of the loyalty for his sue
cessor. For 1897 the officers are Presi-
dent Mr.. j. c. White; Vice-President'
ID. w. Durrett; Secretary, Ben. wilson,
Treasurer, J. l. Hill.
The society was organized on August
"a 1872. with a membership of seventy
five. and the following year Drancn
was started in a chapel on Churcn hlii'
M Twenty-fifth and NJ streets. A church
vae orsanized i'm 1885 with 81 members,
with present membership or 40 anu
n Sabbath-school of 300 "A lot was pun
chased at Twenty-sixth ana Marshali
streets. where a $500 church was Dull''
and which is now self-sustainlng' me
Cowardin-Avenue church, in Manches-
tor was organized in 1892, with 81 mem
hers. and. although the church building
was burned a few days after its dedl-
cation II now has a membership OF Zzo,
and Sabbath-school of 49,. and debt oil
only s.. 700 on the original cost OF *""|''fo'
REV. MIR. POwELLS SERMON.
The annual sermon was preached by
Rev. r. L. Powell, pastor Of the FIRST
Christian church. Louisville, KY. and an
exceptionally fine one II was. MI
Powell who is a native Of Norfolk, Is
most attractive. forcble. and eloquent
speaker. He preached from the words
Here am /; send me-
''In this language the speaker pesah'
1.-The prophet accepts the heavy ana re-
a
AS a preparation for entrance upon MS
work Is given 10 him the vision OF the
opening verses. in which is revealed 10
him his own unworthiness and. at the
Same time. the greatness and glory OF
the God into whose service ne was
allied In the presence of Gods aWlul
holiness he felt himself 10 be a man Of
upclean lipsr-lips untitled TO speak the
divine message-but when made conscious
of the presence and power of God with
him. az in vision his lips were touch
ed with a live coal from the altar ne
no longer hesitates, but eagerly accepts
the divine summons by giving back the
glad response. Here am l. send me.
Our pledge Of discipleship is just TINS
answer 10 the divine call. II IS sur
render of our life TO God; it is saying,
with Samuel Speak, Lord, Thy servant
heareth; command, Thy servant VIII
obey 1t is the discovery OF our real
Master. TO whom henceforth we VIII rem
der obedience. Consider some OF the
thoughts involved in this simple accept
ance of the divine call.
THE OFFER OF LIFE.
."rhere Is in the text, first. the offer OF
Iife-all that is involved in the terms i
and me- The fundamental conception
Of sacrifice is the surrender of life-tho
into CqrXTiCR of
God. There are those who are willing
enough to say, Here is my money send
IT.: but money is no substitute for loving
evmnathy or personal encouragement
There are sorrows TO which gold cannot
minister; there are sore distresses that
cannot be alleviated by dollars. The
personal touch-the contact Of life-is in
dispensable. Nor can machinery take the
place Of life. 1t will not do to say. Here
IS our society: let IL do the work Or
ranization is necessary. but it cannot
serve as proxy for personal, self-sacri-
flee. We must weep for Others with oul
own eyes, feel with our own hearts, anc
helm with our own hands. The society
has no organs that can take the place OF
human organs The personal element
must enter into all service; and II is only
as we thus give life that we can impar'
life TO others. The enemies Of Christ
spoke more truly than they knew wher
they said. He saved others; himself He
cannot save. No man who saves him
self by refusing TO give himself can save
Others. The expenditure Of life is the
condition Of imparting life. This principle
finds illustration in every department o.
activity The sermon that strengthens
faith brightens hope. and gives perspec
tive to life--in word, that imparts life
has cost life Every such sermon has II
II the sacrihclal blood; the sentence!
which move men TO higher living, anC
nobler thinking are heart-drops.
THE WORDS OF MILTON.
"you read a book which makes your
pulse 10 throb with the fulness Of the
spring." Its thoughts are as clarion
voices summoning TO duty. What gives II
this life-quickening power Every sucf
hook. as Milton says. sis the life-blood OF
an immortal spirit treasured up on pur'
nose for a life beyond life" 1t is only a
source of power because 1t has cost life
furthermore the text emphasizes indi
yiduai life. We need 10 realize the power
Of the individual In Christian service. II
this age of organization and multiplied
machinery we feel to be true the lines o.
Tennyson:
The individual withers,
And the world is more and more"
There IS a false humility that serves az
excuse for Withholding individual service
a humility that sings in strains OF self
depreciation
Amid the myriad human lives
That overcrowd earth's human hives,
What matter II no work survives of thy
small doing?
Who counts, alas, one cricket chirpinl
I'm the grass the less.
xvha, cnurn q rhine hath passed p