Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-02
A PASTORS FAREWELL.
DIR. WHARTON'S LAST SERMON AT
FREEMASON STREET BAP-
TISr CHURCH.

Rev. NJ. Il. Wharton, u. d, preached
Baptist Church Sunday night. The
spacious auditorium and galleries were
packed at both services and standing
room was nj a premium, SO to speak.
In the morning DR.. Wharton preach
ed on "Providcnce." a tender and COM
forilng sermon, which was highly ap-
rreciatcd by HIS hearers. At night he
took as his text. Mark, Is. 3i-"Every
Man His Own Work" He said in part
that instead of preaching the usual
farewell sermon he would give some
pra.lical information on Christian
work. he had never preached works
at the expense of fai:h. hut both were
important. ana works necessarily fol-
lowed fath Is the fruit OF the tree.
Every Christian has 4 work ia DO given
from eternity not my work nor your
work, but HIS work.'
% The pastor has his work most
important. heaven inspired ono. lla
first great duty is To preach. ana
nothing can take the place of this.
he may succeed in everything else, but
II he falls here his ministry is a failure.
II has pleased God by the fOolishness
nf preaching To save those who believe,
and the pulpit must stand acknowi-
edged the most eftectual guard, support
and ornament OF virtues cause. He
must also be Il good leader of the flock,
must visit his members. especially in
sickness ana bereavement, and dircc,
the affairs of the church Ills Is an
arduous position. some one saying tina;
ne does more speaking tii1n- INV
yer, more visiting than the physician
more composing than the author, and
more writing than the commercial man.
CD The deacon has his work lie
must be a good man. fun of the Holy
Chost and faith; and his work is 10
lock- after the temperatures of the
church. lie must serve three tables--
the Lords table, the table Hf the poor.
and the pastors table. He cannot del
cgatc his work to others. anu the sue
cess &C church depends most upon
faithful dcacons.
C) The teacher has his work and
may accomplish wonders If he acts up
TO his duty. Nothing can be of more
Importance than teaching the young
the truths of the liibe-ihe way of sal
walton.
ca Every member has work. BY
prayer, words of cXhortation, inducing
others to attend church. aiding the pas
tor, giving of his means, uniting with
the church societies. he can do his work.
ls IetSeUS WHY tNCIt tNIiSi!1l mas
a work to do are many. This IS Chrisi's
way of converting the world Work is
as medicine to the Christian. while idle
ness is the bane of his life. 1t is by
work that the world IS to know that
man Is what he processes To be. by
their fruits yc shall know them" And
works will be the cisteria of the iudg-
ment by which a man IS TO be judged.
There is a day on time when this work
must be done. 1t is your lifetime.
There is no work, or knowledge. or de-
sire, or wisdom in the graves. Christ
said: IL must work the work OF him
mat sent me; the night comcth when
no man can work.
Dr.. Wharton stated he was going to
another field, but TO engage n the Same
work. He loved his people. ana part
ed with them with sincere regret after
eight years of labor He wanted their
sympathy and prayers in his new and
great field.
a farewell service will he held to-
night in the lecture-room ana he leaves
TINS work for Baltimore
one person was received into the
church yesterday morning.