The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-08
REy. JoRDAN's SECOND YEAR.
lie Preached an Anniversary Ser
mon on His Passionate.

mon on His Passionate.
Two years faithful service as pastor of
the First Baptist Church were brought to
a close yesterday by Rev, John d. Jor-
dan. A sermon appropriate to the occa-
sion was preached at the morning service,
after which the pastor was extended hear
4 " congratulations by the congregation.
Few churches can pride themselves with
! the same harmonious feeling among mem
bers as does the First Baptist. From the
beginning of the present pastorate the
| church has had many vicissitudes with
which TO contend, but the members have
| never lost courage in the steady fight they
started to build up strong and influen-
tial church. The opportunity its large
membership has given the First Baptist
to lift and spiritually elevate the people
Of Savannah has not been lost, the things
it has accomplished in the face OF stern
disadvantages being something to which
the pastor and congregation point with
pride.
Rev. DR.. Jordan touched in his sermon
upon nearly al. the branches of church
work during the time of his pastorate
Inc appreciation of his services is shown
by the love that has sprung up between
hlmself and members of the First Bap-
tist. Among other things, DR.. Jordan
said
Through the kind providence of God"
Rev. jordan said, I'VE are permitted TO
witness the close of the second year Of the
present pastorate. Let us give. thanks TO
Him, who has guided sustained and blessed
us so abundantly during these two event
fui years. / say eventful years because
they have been crowded full of marked
events Work has been done, and history
has been made, the worth and weight of
which eternity alone can reveal.
Numerically, we have been largely in
creased, 1856 persons having been added TO
our membership. Eighty-nine of these
these have been baptized. Many of the
new additions are among the most active
and efficient of our workers. 1t is beauti-
fut TO see how cordially you have received
them, and how tremendously you all work
together. This Is as II should be. There
is room enough and plenty of work for
US all-'and yet there is room and work
Two years ago l found you strong
financially; to-day find you siiI stronger.
Our additions have brought increased
wealth and responsibility. l am glad to
note that so large a proportion of them
are regular contributors to current ex-
penses and all objeeis fostered by the
church. Much of our time has been of
necessity given 10 money getting The
old debt which you had carried for years
had to be paid. After that came the storm
disaster, which left our building wreck
It's beauty and conveniences which we all
now admire are the result of much labor,
anxiety and sacrifice. I estimate that
$50 900 will barely cover the amount of
money raised and expended for all pur-
poses during the two years. For this I
praise you both for your iiberaltty and
your cheerfulness.
What shall l say about our spiritual
condition." Rev. Jordan asked. while
1t is not what it might be, or ought to
be, ii is good. l feel that our growth
in spirituality unity and harmony has
been our chiefest enlargement. Behold
how good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together In unity? May
this blessing ever be ours All depart
ments of our church work have at least
a healthful growth. / see now no cause
whatever for evil surmisings and dark
forbodings, but abundant reasons for
hopefulness and good cheer Our faces
are toward the morning and our prospects
are as fair as the promises of God, if we
only have faith TO claim them. Accord
ing to your faith be it unto you
II make special and honorable mention
of the work done by our noblest of wo-
men. They have done great things joy
fully, without friction, fuss or gossip To
each one who has played so noble a part
l say in the language of Old. other maid
ems have done well, but thou excellest
them all
These two years I have not found to
be an idle holiday nor an easy going va
cation, but they have been something far
better; busy years of hard labor for my
God and his people. Too much of my time
has been given to affairs of business and
too little to hard, systematic lines of
study. I have no apology. except the
apology of necessity. II was necessary
to enlist the sympathy and hearty CO.
operation of all and as no one else seemed
to have the time to do 1t, the pastor had
TO do it himself.
The joys of marriage ceremony and the
sadness of funeral rites have often come
to me-" Rev. Jordan concluded Il have
married twenty-seven couples, and buried
fourteen of our. members, besides burying
many who were not our members Nav
happiness and every earthly good attend
those whom l have married. May the
riches of Gods grace and the fuliness of
his consolation abound to those whom
have tried TO comfort. May our hearts all
be knitted together in the warmest, ten
derest love and our actions and efforts be-
come more and more united for the ser
vice and glory of our divine Lord
ITO the church of my love, my joy and
my pride, to the congregation of nv de-
light and TO this fair city by the sea.
say with all my heart The Lord bless
thee and keep thee. The Lord make His
face shine upon thee, and be gracious un-
to thee. The Lord life up His counte
nance upon thee and give the peace >"
MUSIC AT THE v. NJ. C. A.