Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-02
THE GOOD SOLDIER.
FINE SERMON ON THIS SUBJECT by
WELCOME TO REY. Mr.. HARRISON.
The New Pastor Of Emmanuel Begins
His Labors Under Bright Auspices
DIR. DiIrs Anniversary at Vennbie-
Strcef-Ofber Services.
Street-Ofher Services.

Rev. z. II. Sweeney the gifted pastor
Of the Seventh-Street Christian church'
preached a special sermon last night on
"The Good Soldier" The church was
crowded to the doors, including the gal-
lery, and the service was one OF special
interest. The singing of the male choir
was especially good.
Rev. Mr.. Sweeney, who is recognized as
one of the finest pulpit orators in the
country, said, by way Of preface to his
sermon, that he believed fully in minis
ters preaching the Gospel only from their
pulpits, but 1t was entirely permissible
for them TO discuss incidentally subjects
of public interest, and to draw Gospel
lessons from subjects that are upper
most in the public mind. This. he said,
was his purpose in preaching on good
soldier-to use the ideal soldier of our
army to illustrate what the man who
enlists in the army of the Lord should
be. The sermon was based on the
Scriptural injunction to the soldier OF
Christ to endure hardship. The dis
course was delivered with great fervor
and earnestness.
length the steps and experiences that are
necessary to make good soldier. First,
they must volunteer; give willing service.
No country wants any other sort OF men
to enlist for its defence. Then they
must be mustered in, be examined, be
subjected to the test, and next take the
oath; give the outward symbol OF the
inward purpose. Discipline, too. is neces-
sary. There must be practice on the drill
ground, the men must obey the orders
Of their superiOrS without questioning.
There must be self-denal and sympathy.
a manifestation of that love for the fel-
bowman that makes US willing to share
his lot and to help bear him up. Caution,
the preacher said, must be exercised. We
must remember we are in the enemy's
country, and always be on the lookout.
Mr.. Sweeney, after celebrating on each
of these points and making spiritual APP
plication OF them, alluded TO the struggle
Of the Cuban people for freedom and in
dependence and referring to our war with
Spain. said there was no doubt of the
United States winning. "The fiat has
gone forth" he said. with a flash in his
bright eyes. and the victory will be
ours. The noble cause in behalf Of which
our brave young men have volunteered to
fight will triumph" The close of the
sermon was sublime. The speaker drew
contrast between the appearance OF
our army as it goes to the field in bright,
new uniforms and fresh plumes waving,
and how the men will look when return
ing from a victorious campaign and pass
in review of the President and other dig
nitaries in Washington. Their ranks
may have been thinned," he said, their
uniforms may be torn and soiled, and
their flags may show the marks OF Span
ish bullets. but they will be triumphant
victors. and will be proud of the con-
| sciousness of duty well done. l can see
| that great army marching down Pennsyi-
yanfa avenue, with their eyes set kpon
| the CAPITOL of this great nation-the most
| magnificent building on the race OF the
| earth-while on further, in Virginia ana
| West Virginia, Ohio ana PennsyIVahla,
are their homes and loved ones 1t WIN
be n great sight" The speaker drew IN
IKE colors a picture of the triumphal
march in the city of the New Jerusalem
| of the army of Jesus Christ, and appeared
| for volunteers for that army.
welcome to Rev. Mr.. Harrison.
Rev. J. r. Harrison entered upon his
work as pastor of Immanuel baptis'
| church yesterday under the bIlghlest au,
! spices. The weather was Danny anu
snringlike. the congregations were large
|
| congreeation was most cordial ana Wnole-
| so,,iod and the services Of the day were
! highly interesting Mr.. Harrison preach
| ed an especially appropriate sermon III
| tho morning of the Church as the poGy
| oe CHRIST basing the discourse on the
An and 5th verses of the 18th chapter Oh
pomans The sermon was tender ana
| comforting. stimulating the churcn anu
Ire members to strive to reach nisn0i
! plane. H. oftarnoon
in car more than ordinary interest
| This was mainly in charge OF inc p"P
t,st Ministers Conference. The church
los crovded. Rev. DIR. j. William Jones
,,rasided and other ministers present
iyare pev Drs. Dickinson, Hatcher
Sr,itb and WilIingham. and Rev. Messrs'
onorIes and Tucker. Nearly all OF THESE
tool, mart in the services. DR.. Jones was
| 1.,d,,ior,,, delicious as presiding of1cer,
II raid 10th the church and its pastor
S;ot commitments. DIT. Hatcher In wei
| coming Mr.. Harrison on pehal Oh 1no
| Minister'S Conference, maoe NeS
happy speech, in which he reVie"su tne
| wonderfully successful career OIL triS
earnest. Woodworking minister.
Smith. of the Second church, spun 10
hohals of the Emmanuel people, ana ms
Dhh
tasta and most cordial and earnest. He
| 20 had n kind word for the pastor,
whom, he knew well as both soui-saVer
! GA o church-b builder. Mr.. Harrlsons re-
snorses was in a few sentences, but
hearty. appreciative, and waFnn-hedi'e u'
,rho interest of the service was greatly
bniehtened by the solos so sweetly rem
dered by Mrs G.. NJ. Smithdeal ana cap
,ain cunningham. After the benedictlon
rearlv the entire congregation consre-
aotod around Mr.. Harrison and shook
hands with him.
Rex. DIR. DiIrs Anniversary.
Yesterday WAS ''red-letter-day" with
tho neonle of the Venable-Street Baptis'
church II being the fifth anniversary OIL
the nastor. DR.. j. s. Dill. The very large
and attentive congregation present clear.
T.. attasted the warm affection which hlx
people have for him.
A special and well-selected musical pro-
eramme had been arranged, ana unoei
she AFFECTION of Mr. $. s. Perkins, was
sktlfully rendered by the choir
Tba sermon was one of great power
-akiny a profound impression upon MS
hearers. The preacher took as his tex
the words of Colossians l., 3: we give
thanks TO God, and the Father or our
Lord Jesus Christ, praying always foi
vou" The preacher spoke upon the SUD
iact "a Pastors Prayer" lie began
with expressions OF thankfulness for the
ova wears of association with this peo'
ME and briefly reviewed the work done
So Ear as statistics can report religious
work it has been rewarded with sue
cess During the five years the church