The times., 1899-12-11
THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY.
brotherhood of st. Andrew Hold Il
Special Service.

bfpi ihEfhOOu OF ST AhhTSN ffoiu ~
Special Service.
The tenth anniversary of the foundation
of St Paul's Chapter Brotherhood of st.
Andrew was celebrated at St Paurs Epis
copal Church. Twenty-third Street between
l and X Streets northwest, last night
with appropriate services. A special ser
mon on the man1iness of Christianity and
the work of the men in the church, re-
ferring directly to the main objects OF the
Brotherhood, was preached by Rev Rich
ard p Williams of Trinity Church. The
minister took his text from the fifteenth
chapter of the First Corinthians, wherein
Paul eNhorts men 10 aCquit themselves as
men. The sermon took the form of
history and sketch of the character of the
Apostle from the time of his conversion.
No preacher ever lived" Mr.. Williams
said, who showed more devotion to the
cause of Christianity than Paul. He worked
not for fame or gain or personal ambition,
but was imbued with the sacredness OF his
gospel Of the resurrection and toiled zeal
ously for its fulfllment. His sermons bear
the impress of the true man who had no
self-interest at stake. Everyone is
forced 10 admit the strength and character
OF his writings. They bear the impress Of
a teacher who was wrapped up in his work
InfideIs as well as theologians acknowledge
the clearness Of his statements and the
truths which he sought to bring forth
Much Of the power Of his sermons and let
ters could be laid TO the manliness of the
religion which was expressed in them. His
religion was for men.
of late years men have fallen away
from the Church and have seemed to re
gard the houses Of worship as the places
for women and children. In the confirma-
tion classes most of the communicates are
women. The missionary societies would
be dead if il were not for the women.
why is it that men are repelled from
the church? What is it that repels them?
Some claim that it is too ememinate, too
much women, and TOO slow for men. Trace
the history of the Church back 10 its
earliest days The long line of prophets
re all men, the Jewish Church was a
( Church of men The Church that won
Augustine, Gregory, and Luther was a
Church Of men, founded by men for men.
! Then il was that the men led in the relig-
! ious worship and the women and children
/ followed. Now strange 10 say, the women
and children lead, but many or the men
do not follow
! 1t might be that the preaching is not
/ the sort that invites men. It has often
] been said that the minister talked about
TOO many things, things of which ne
KNOWS HotuiHS' IHeH dSdlh, Jueie was tAe
! divine who preached theology and became
so dogmatic that the congregations would
not stay 10 hear him. Time was when the
ministry had the men of fine minds and
! the pulpit was q guide and help TO all. The
| laity was not as well informed as the
/ clergy That has been changed. Education
| and culture have been placed within the
reach of all, and the minister has been
| placed in the old position of his congrega-
! tion Then it may be that the young men
! of small experience in the worlds affairs
| are prejudiced against religion through
! the methods of their mothers or fathers TO
| instill into their minds the proper regard
for the gospel. At any rate the Church
! did not seem 10 be Church Of men and
| the women seemed to be its sole support"