The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-27
AT GROVE-AVENUE CHURCH,
4 Strong Sermon and Music of a
High standard.

High standard.
Sunday morning was o. peculiarly in-
teretne occasion at Grove-Avenue Bap-
tst church. The music was superb. and
30 filed Dr. Hiden-a well-known devoiee
of music-with such enthusiasm that
just before taking his text he SAID:
"Those Of YOU who are impatient 90 get
| home TO Christmas dinner must bear with
choir and preacher if this mornings SER
vice should be q little longer than usual
For my part j can say that / should
be glad 90 stay here all day. without any
dinner. TO listen 10 such music as we
have just heard"
The preacher then took his text from
Romans viii. O. "The law Of the spirit
Of life JIM Christ Jesus hath made me
free from the law of sn and death. "
Dr. Iuden drew from this text the great
theme OF Liberty Under Law
He opened boy paying his respects TO
Professor Woodrow Wilson, Of Princeton
who recently lecturcd at Richmond COLI
leee on questions OF constitutional law.
DR. Hidden showed from the history and
the contents of the constitution itself
that the instrument has always been
understood 90 be- "a strictly legal docu-
mcut and that the Constitution itself
provides that lawyers. and none but law-
yers. are Co bc its authoritative inter-
prefers. that statesmen. as such. have
not the slightest power 10 interpret it
with amy authority whatever. and that
the supreme Court of the United states.
composed of none hut lawyers is the
authoritative Interpreter in the last re-
Sort even for Congress and the Prcsi-
dent This part OF fho sermon occupied
but q few minutes. but it clearly showed
that the preacher had given a great deal
of thought and study TO the subject Of
constitutional law.
THE preacher then touched briefly upon
mob Jaw. said he could not conceive OF
any circumstances under which he could
Doe induced 10 join a mob and earnestly
oXhorted Dis audiences never to have
anything 90 do with lynchng He
quoted Professor Huxley on the immense
advantages Of living in land Of law
and order. and earnestly enlarged upon
this theme
"The law Of the spirit Of ufe" said
the Doctor means substantially the law
or the spiritual life. and the necessity
and nature OF such life were strongly
emphasized.
Hath made mo free from the law Of
sim and death "Hore." said Dr. Hidon
"is the Christians Declaration Of indie
pendence.' and he drew contrast be-
tween The slavery of the habitual drink
'I 'tiA tllt ii.N'A..iN Hl inc LDIdl aD-
stai-er.
pr. Hi1en concluded with an earnest
appeal 10 his people 90 adopt the de-
claration of spiritual independence. and
to say with the Apostle Paul. 81 am per-
suaded that neither death. nor life. nor
angels nor principaltics. nor powers. nor
things present nor things to come, nor
height nor depth. nor any other crea-
ton. shall be able 10 separate us from the
love of God, which is i'm Christ Jesus
our God
The large congregation gave the preach
or the strictest attention throughout. and
some of his most constant hearers pro-
nounced the sermon to be the great
effort OF his life.
The music 40 Grove-Avenue was par-
tcularly good The boys choir showed
much appreciation Of music as well as
good training
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN.
At the First Presbyterian church Sum
day Rev Henry Alexander White ~
Washington and Lee University. Occur
pied the pulpit i'm the morning and
preached an interesting and instructive
sermon. 81 yves
Rev DR.. Kerr preached at night an
appropriate sermon for the Christmas
season.