The times., 1898-04-04
THE REV. FRANK BRISTOL
Greeted by an Immense Congre-
CATION at Metropolitan Church.
MANY PEOPLE TURNED AWAY
Members of the Church Delighted
with the Touching EIoGuence Of
His First Sermon-PresiGient Me
KinIey, Pressed With AGairs of
State. Was Absent.

The Metropolitan was filed yesterday
by one of the largest gatherings that
has assembled in that historic church
since the days of Grant, to hear Rev.
Dr. Frank NJ. Bristol of Chicago, the
Presidents new pastor, preach his first
sermon.
The space in front of the church was
filled with chairs to accommodate the
crowd. and chairs were also placed in
the galleries and in the rear of the
church, but its capacity was still too
small and many persons had to be turn
ed away.
President Mckinley was not present
but his pew was occupied by a party
from the White House.
DR.. Bristol is a much younger man than
his predecessor, DR.. Hugh Johnston. He
comes from Chicago with a very fat
tering record as a pulpit orator and the
eloquence and power of his words yes
terday confirmed all that has been said
about him.
At the conclusion of the sermon, the
regular monthly communion service was
held. after which DR.. Bristol was tender
ed an informal reception by the congre-
cation.
Among those who assisted in admins
| tering the sacrament were Rev. Stephen
Brown, Rev. ]. d. Croissant, Rev DR..
Gilbert. Rev. Arthur II. DeLong, pas
tor of First Methodist Episcopal church
of Covington. Ind. and Rev. A. P. De-
Long. pastor of the Methodist Episcopal
church of Goodland, Ind
Dr. Bristol spoke from the text. Mat
thew xxi. Q, "Hosanna! Blessed is he that
cometh in the name of the Lord" He
said. in part:
THE world to-day looks backward in
rapt contemplation upon one of the most
significant scenes in the drama of his
tory Not upon braZen sea of gieam-
ing shields hiding the cruel hearts of
invaders and oppression; not upon for
est of plumes dancing on the brows of
swarthy warriors; but upon palms, palms,
palms. waving in the golden light of the
oriental morning, for behold the Prince
of Peace stands before the gates of Je-
rusalem.
Another conqueror would enter that
devoted city Another king comes TO
claim his throne. But this conqueror
advances without sword and without an
army No captives follow him in chains;
no fear strikes the hearts of the peo-
pie: but the green palms giisten in the
light and Tiosanna' rises exultant
on the air.
This shouting multitude is made up of
the common people. As goes the COM
mon people so goes the world. Whoever
| wins the world 5 common sense and COM
mon manhood molds the character Of
| humanity and shapes the history of the
| future.
..,The strongest proofs of the heavenly
| origin of Christianity are not to be found
in the opinions of philosophers. in the
! support of scholars, in the sanction and
| allegiance Of kings but in the faith, de-
| votion and gratitude of the people. 1t
was the peoples cry. 1t is the peoples
cry, and It ever viii be the peoples cry:
'Hosannat blessed is He that cometh in
the name Of the Lord.
Although that shout of welcome was
| soon turned into the bitter cry, Away
with Him. Since that day of tragedy
| The orld has grown a better manhood
- that no spot on earth would now toll
| crate . crucifixion.
And what has so transformed the
world? What has inspired this better
manhood? BY the influence of what
| great moral force have we let the ape
and tiger die?'
"Christ's own kindly spirit has changed
1 the heart OF the world. The spirit which
| this Jesus infused into human life into
! human society, the spirit of love and geud
| viii and brotherhood has made possible
a new humanity. His character and gos-
pei the power of his cross, the mag
netism OF mis- own heroism, the sublimity
| Of his self-sacrilice the glory of his mag
nanimity, have opened the worlds eyes
TO the possibilities of a nobler, kinder,
| grander life in which there is no room
for bigotry, hatred, oppression, cruelty
! ion.
This better manhood of this brighter
age greets Jesus with Hosanna.
''The welcome which the people extend
| ed to the Prince of Peace was prompted
| by their gratitude and faith. They hon
| ored and loved and believed in him who
| taught them OF God in the doctrine of
the divine Fatherhood, and taught them
that the true society must be founded on
the doctrine Of equality and brotherhood
Jesus Christ made religion seem like a
sensible thing to ali sensible people. He
took il out of the clouds and put it into the
home and shop and heart. To him reli
gion was not theory, a philosophy, or
creed. Ii was life. 1t was the power
and love of God in humanity. For sim
plifying worship, making it spiritual,
bringing it within the comprehension of
all men, lifting it up out of the specula-
lions and mysticisms and superstitioas,