Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-06
RETURNING TO WORK.
MINISTER'S ARE TAKING UP THEIR
LABORs AFTER REST.
DRS. TITHERSPOOE AND
Both Divines Preach Excellent SER
mons to Their PeOpIe-HOw the
"kfDgdom" COmes-Dr. Smith, and
Rev. VI. A. Jones Also Returned.

|
Rev. DR.. Jere Witherspoon was royalty
welcomed by his congregation at thu
Grace-street Presbyterian church.
Rev. DR.. w. r. i. Smith was also in hi.
pulpit at the Second Baptist church, and
preached morning and evening. DR.. Smith
was TO have preached a special sermon tc
the Lambs" Of Philadelphia, at the eve
ming hour, but the Schuyler men did not
reach the city In time 10 get TO the
| church.
Rev. NJ. Ashby Jones also came in the
list of returned pastors. He was in his
pulpit at Leigh-Street Baptist church
morning and evening, after a month
spent mostly in Kentucky. These and
the other ministers who have returned
are apparently in the best of health, and
seem enthusiastic for their work.
DIR. Witherspoon's Service.
Rev. Jere With.rspoon, ID. D., pastor OF
Grace-Street Presbyterian church, re-
| turned last week from his summer va
cation to resume his work amongst his
people. The Doctor occupied his pulpit
| both morning and at night. He took Cor
! MS text In the morning. And who, then,
| Is willing to consecrate his service this
] day unto the Lord?" The Doctor, after
abiding to the separation Of pastor AMI
| people for some weeks, said he knew
of no better text than the one he had
selected on this occasion.
He took for his subject. "The House
Of the Lord" and began by describing
in his characteristic way, the house of
| the Lord built by David-an expensive
house, house Of beauty and convenience.
nothing wanting, but everything sup
piled for the worship OF God. But"
said the Doctor that was a material
house, and with all the splendor and
conveniences we furnish our churches.
unless we have the heartfelt desire to
serve the Lord, they fall far short of
being the house Of the Lord"
Service was what the Lord wanted IN
His house, the minister continued. MANY
persons think after they have given
their money 10 the several objects call
ed for by the Church they have done
their part. But. my friends, / tell you
no. That Is well enough, when given
in the proper spirit but what the Lord
wants is not only yours but yOu-yOIr
service-and until that is given lie Is
not satisfied, nor can he. as long as you
cherish the things of the world, make
any use of you for His glory. Conse-
Grated workers are what the Lord wants.
HOW THE CHURCH IS REGARDED.
1T is surprising how some persons dp-
pear to look upon the house of the
Lord They pay what they call their
pew rent their dues or pledges, as they
do 20 a club and as far as they are con-
cerned, think they have completely full
iiled their duty. All, my friends, if you
are contented with this, hear again the
text Who is willing to cOnsecrate his
service this day unto the LOrdY Christ
said, For where your treasure is there
Will your heart be also We know this
to be 50. No one will dispute IT. Can
it not also be said that where your heart
is there will your treasure be, and L
your heart and treasure are in the house
OF the Lord will there be any lack of
service on your part FOR Christ. your
Saviour? And what will make a Chris
tian happier than service in the house |
of the Lord?
"ConsecratiCn TO Gods work Is the very
acme Of happiness and incentive TO |
service in the house of the Lord. Ser |
vice produces conversion, and that brings |
about rejoicing, and the kind Of rejoicing |
as is spoken about in the Bible. Oh |
how happy is that church that can have |
its seasons of rejoicing brought about by |
service unto the Lord.
Now my friends, as pastor and peo-
pie have, after our summer vacation,
come together again in the house Of the
Lord. where We are accustomed to wOr-
ship, let us all begin at this, the firsr
Sabbath of the fall OF the year. to serve |
the Lord, and put into this portion Of His |
vineyard our treasures and our hearts
that we may see many, many souls con-
veTted unto Him.
After the service. DR.. Witherspoon held
quite levee. When he came down from
the pulpit the members of his church and
gathered around him to give
him a cordial shake Of the hand |
and express their delight at his return,
which was pleasant TO observe, and must
have been gratifying to the Doctor.
THY KINGDOM COME"
Rev. w. A. Barr. rector of Monumental
church. preached at both morning and af-
ternoon services Sunday 10 good colg.e-
cations.
"Thy Kingdom Come" was the subject
Of the morning discourse. The preacher
said: various meanings; or rather, va
rious phases. of the one fundamental
meaning, are indicated in the New Tesla
ment by the expression Kingdom OF
Cod or Kingdom of Heaven Some
times Is intended the reign of God in the
individual soul. Sometimes IS intended
simply the Church Of Jesus Christ. and
that as an outward, visible organization,
and sometimes is meant the dominion Of
righteousness throughout the earth.
But wherever the sense attributed TO
Gods Kingdom in the earth, there are
wo afIirmations that Jesus made regard
ng IT. He said that it had already come,
wen as he moved and spoke on the earth
md at the same time he averred that IL
vas still 10 come. 1t is evident, then, that
fis kingdom comes by the way of growth
)r development, even as he distinctly said
II describing it, first, the blade, then the
ar. then the full corn in the ear
Science has taught us several features
'egardng the subject of development that ]
We should bear in mind in considering
he question of the coming OF the King
Icm of God.
DEVELOPMENT IN MOTION.
development takes place through
movement. and so involves incessant
hange. Stop all motion within the hui
nan organism, and death is the result ]
here is motion everywhere in Gods uni !
erse, from the atom TO the planet. Pro- I
uce universal stagnation, and you pro- !
uce universal death. In the develop I
,ent. then. Of Gods Kingdom, change is
OF of itself bad but is even necessary.
IN alteration in types of piety or me-
nods of church-work is not necessarily
eclension. 1t is TO be expected as fea- ,
IRE of growth. :
This change Is itself conditioned by !
wv. The growth is not by uniform move !
lent but also by catastrophe. The earth a