Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-10-26
Installation Of a New Pastor,


Notwithstanding the steady rainfall OF
Friday last, the Congregational church
was we'll flied during the afternoon and
evening services. By the 4:20 p. m
train GENE Drs Beech, Orawf, I'd, Faville,
AID Doe, with Rev. Ellis, Smith and
Barker, and also from Retreat the Rsv
Holway. These with the delegates
from the several churches repaired at
once to our Cor regational house of wor
ship and the council was organized for
the examination Of The candidate, Raw.
j A s. emen The letter missive was
read, the request of the Viroqua Con-
gregational church for the installation of
it's pastor considered, and the candidate
for installation invited to give his Chrie1 .
ian experience and theological views
This the Rev S emen did in al paper pre-
pared for that purpose. This statement
was listened to with intense interest, and
not only delighted but surprised those
who heard it. There was but one CON-
mon verdict respecting it, and that YER
dict was an honor to the intellect and
the heart of our dear brother Stemen
1t was liberal in sentiment as we'll ss
profound in theology, breathing also the
very soul of love to Christ the Son OF
God, setting fourth that the "Jesus was
not God and man." but "God in man.
AS says Paul n Corinthians, to-wit: "God
was in Christ reconciling the world to
| himself, and hath committed unto us
the Gospel of reconciliation. Able
also ard very lucid we're his definitions
of sin and of judgment to come his
views of human responslbiliLy-The
Bible as the word OF God, not mechani-
cal, as to lis construction but dynami
cal, the power of God unto salvation
| its d Grimes not to be taken from any
few or isolated passages, but that the
"who lie must sit 10 ladgen ut on ito
parts" and its essence to be gathered
only by the light OF the spirit OF God
and that salvation was not limited by
the immaasurabls and eternal love OF
God, or by any change in his mercy, for
he is the only Interchangeable, bat ii
limited it was by the free choice OF the
sinner, choosing the evil rather than
the good. His views also of thu church
and its mission were very profitable and
beautiful. II was indeed. or ought to be
the working body of Christ, and that
the atouement was not what God had
done for our race, bat Whist he is doing
and will do while love exists.
The council went apart and by un'
auimous vote accepted the views OF Rev
Stemen, and agreed to his fitness foI
installation.
1t is we'll to add here that before the
council dissolved, DR.. Beech, OF Mime.
apolis, spoke OF his friend the Rev
Stemen as worthy OF the love and con.
fdence of the pr lie vircqua, that
be had known h.. At, -. ely for years
and loved him as brother, indeed.
The evening service was delightful
The music, the hymns, the sermon by
DIR. Beech, most excellent. No hitch in
the work of installation, no confusion in
the parts taken by the several clergy
men, all we-e gooo sad most appropriate.
That of Rev. Cors,n, in his usual witty
and hsppyIstrai.n That OF DIR. Crs~ford'
was eminentiy practical, and that of DIR
Faville, able and comprehensive TIE
/ right hand Of fellowship was given by
R9v VIM. Haugbton, and after refresh
ments the good people separated well
pleased with the services. n