The times., 1899-10-25

Rev. Tennis =. HamIin-InformaI
Reception rendered the Minister.
Rev Gerbart A. Wilson was installed as
pastor Of the Western Presbyterian Church,
in H Street, near Nineteenth, northwest
last night The installation services were
participated in by the members Of the
church and the pastors of the various
churches Of the city under the jurisdiction
of this Presbytery. The programme Of
the evening included three addresses and
several musical selections by a mixed quar-
tette, after which the congregation extend
ed TO the new pastor the right hand OF
reception and regard.
Rev Wilson. who was warmly received
by the members of his new charge last
night, is a young man The pastorate
which ne has just accepted is his second.
He is a native Of Chicago. a graduate Of
the Lake Forest University Of Illinois,
and the Hartford, Conn. Theological Semi
mary. For the past eight years he has been
pastor Of the Presbyterian Church Of Hol-
yoke, Mass.
sided over by Rev. Benjamin F. Bittinger,
D. D., who is perhaps the Oldest minister
in the Washington PTesbytery. After an
organ voluntary by Harry G. Kimball, the
Rev Asa s. Fisk pronounced the invOca-
ton. An anthem was sung by a quartette
composed Of Miss Nina McEwen, soprano;
Miss Emma V. Brandenburg, alto; W
Spencer Armstrong, tenor, and Robert G..
Sutton, bass
Rev George =. Wilson read from the
scriptures that portion which refers TO the
gifts OF the spirit, and after hymn the
Rev Teunis S Hamlin delivered the SER
mon of the evening He took for his sub
ject THE Moral Use of the Divine On
impotence" and chose for his text the
words of Jesus, "All things are possible
with God" Rev. Hamlin said that the
world of today required more than ever
robust physical manhood that although We
are apt 10 be somewhat ashamed of this
fact, as rejecting on our refinement, never
theless the world is swayed by physical
force. The blessings we enjoy as q nation
are an illustration of this fact, contended
the speaker. If our navy were swept from
the seas and our army disbanded our pres
tige as a civilizing nation of the world
would be gone in a moment.
Rev. Hamlin referred to the struggle
now going on in South Africa, and said it
was somewhat significant in view of the
recent conference at The Hague How
ever, he continued we must understand
that all questions cannot be arbitrated,
however much there is a disposition TO do
so. The employment Of force is still a
factor in civilization, and The speaker sig
nifed that the use of it in the case re
ferred to was an unavoidable example of
this kind. As there was TO follow a charge
both 10 the incoming pastor and TO the
congregation, Rev Hsmlin did not devote
himself except in a general way to the new
relations which were being formed.
The announcement Of the proceedings Of
the Presbytery held in Ballston, Va, or
October L. at which time the call was ex-
tended to Rev. Wilson, was made by
Rev BttingeT. He stated that the call
of the church was found in order, and had
been duly forwarded TO Rev Wilson, who
had formally accepted il. Rev. Bittinger
then addressed Rev. Wilson personally
and asked him If he was now willing to
take the charge as pastor Of the congre-
cation; if his conscientious desire in doing
so was 10 promote the glory of God and the
gCcd Of the Church, and If he would
sClemnly promise by the grace of God to
discharge all the duties devolving upon him
as pastor of the church.
Rev Wilson, who occupied a seat
alone in the front pew, arose and simply
said, Il do
Rev. BituHger then addressed the con-
gregation with questions as 10 their will
ingness 10 accept the new pastor, and ex-
acted promises of loyalty and support,
which are prescribed by the canons Of
the Church they signifying their intentions
by holding up their hands.
Miss McEwen followed with a solo Thy
Sorrows Now Are Ended" after which Rev.
George \. Luccock. D. D., delivered the
charge 10 the pastor He addressed the
new pastor with welcoming wOTGs, with
admoniuons to live up TO all his opportu
mites, with advice to mingle with his
people, TO enjoy with them their sorrows
and 10 participate in their pleasures. He
enlarged on the Importance of cuitivating
an elegant literary style, explaining the ad
vantages of thinking in healthful currents
and Of clothing those thoughts in whole
some words.
The members Of the church then re-
ceived a similar address from the Rev.
Charles Alvin Smith. They were admOn-
ished 10 be the power behind the throne.
To constitute force in the assistance Of
the pastor that would be irresistible 10 the
strangers that might come among them.
They were told not 10 stint the new pastor
In their praise OF his work, but were to
think ms sermons were the best they had
ever heard and 10 announce that fact 10
everyone they knew.
a prayer Of installation was delivered
BY Rev DIT, Fiske after which hymn
was sung. and the benediction pronounced
by the pastor An informal reception then
took place. The members Of the church
pressed forward and a half hour of band
shaking and pleasant converse were in
dulged iu
The Rev Wilson's family consists Of
wife and a young nephew, who is making