The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-03
DIR. FAIRS NEW YEARS DISCOURSE
Services OF Unusual Interest at the
Independent Church.

Independent Church.
The services yesterday morning at the
Independent Presbyterian church were Of
unusual interest. In addition TO the ex-
cellent programme Of music by the choir
at the Christmas services, that for the
New Years service had also been given
special attention. and several hymns, by
the chorus and in solo and duet, were
sung. The music was greatly enjoyed and
many spoke of it after the service.
The collection taken up was for the ben
eft of the poor, each New Years contribu-
ton being set apart for this purpose. The
response to the announcement of the pas
tor. Rev. DR.. James Y. Fair of the object
| for which the collection was 10 be taken
drew a liberal response, and the offering
will be the means of bringing JOY TO many
| hearts.
The sermon was upon the day, and was
! an excellent discourse upon thoughts and
| deeds that should signaize the entry upon
| a new year The text was from Genesis,
! S:ll: An olive leaf plucked off" From 1t
| as a basis, was rendered talk that was
/ elOqueutiy impressive in its strength and
! depth to the congregation.
| The text IS from that portion OF Genesis
| that refers to the dove coming to Noah in
! the sermon was that the olive had always
| been the emblem of peace, and that the
/ leaf brought to Noah and his family was
! an expression of The love of God for them
and the peace that would follow the perils
| through which they passed. Attention
was called to the fact that the olive is the
tree most often mentioned in the Bible,
and of its being the first that is referred
/ to az all The repetition of the name so
! often in the pages of the book was given
| by the pastor as an indication
that God has the olive branch of
peace and love always extended to US,
and that it rests with us whether we VIII
| accept it.
| The fact was then dwelt upon that the
| leaf was not brought into the ark acct
| dentaly on the aimless wind, but that
| dove, the emblem of holiness, bore it in it's
! beak. From this messenger of holiness
| bringing the emblem of peace, was drawn
| the lesson that the peace of God comes
| through holiness of heart. To further inn
/ press the significance of the dove being
! the bearer of the leaf. the pastor spoke of
/ the raven that might have brought it,
saying that that bird Of earthly mold and
lowiy flight and feeder on carrion had not
been selected as the bearer of the message
of peace
80" said DR.. air, IF we would enter
upon and enjoy the true peace of God this
/ coming year, we must live holy lives. But
/ the dove is of higher emblem than the
! olive leaf, even of the holy spirit, SO that
the peace of God is wrought in US by the
/ spirit dwelling in our hearts"
| Another lesson was drawn from the
repititious mention in the context of the
seventh day: Noah waited yet the seven
/ days and sent out the dove" This was
/ taken to indicate The worship of the Sab
/ bath day. AS it dawned over ihe wild
/ desolate waste OF waters Noah gathered
in he ,1Hv4r
/ of the ark and looked up toward heaven.
| He seemed to expect a token of good ."
/ the pastor said, and the pious anucipa-
ton was realized. So let us learn in the
1 home to worship God, and we, too, may
expect the olive leaf. plucked Off TO come
fluttering through the window. Our homes
may be poor and narrow and tossed upon
/ the rocking flood, but the dove-like spirit
! of peace and happiness will fill them with
/ the blessings of heaven"
i In conclusion the speaker drew a pic
ture of an ancient Roman triumph, when
the cOnqueror was borne in a chariot of
ivory and gold over he Via Sacra amid
! clouds of incense and shouts of welcome,
through the gates Of the Eternal City to
the statue of Jupiter on the Capitol hill,
where crown of olive was placed upon
( his brow. But what was a Roman tri-
umph" said DR.. Fair, ito the entrance of
/ the Christian cCnqueror into heaven, when
/ he stands before the throne of God and
I receives Il crown of righteousness that
fadeth not away. SO may the olive leaf
be extended 30 each one of you through
the coming year. May you enjoy every
Temporal, and spiritual blessing, peace in
ihe heart, peace in the home, and when
the years shall have ceased to roll a star
/ ny, crown on high"
AT the conclusion of the prayer, the pas
tor said ii would not be complete to him
until he had thanked God for His goodness
I 10 himself and his congregation for its
j kindness. He thanked the members for
their gift of the purse to be expended in
the purchase of horse and buggy for his
/ pastoral work. He returned thanks for the
gift, he said. not only for its inherent val
ue but because of the thoughfulness and
tender love of which ii was the result and
proof. He said the congre gation had made
the new year very bright and happy to
him and that he could only pray God to
reward them abundantly for their good
( ness 10 His servant.
Upon the conclusion of the services. the
members of the congregation gathered
about the chanoel to shake hands with
the pastor and exchange New Year greet
ing.