Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-21
PLAN OF SALVATION.
DIR. SWEENEY DISCUSSES PROGRESS
OF THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM.
A SUNDAY-SCHOOL IS ORGANIZED.
Those Who Withdrew from Grove
Avenue Church Meet and Organ
ixc-Dr. Viden Opens the Exer-
cises-Unites With First Church.

Rev. DIR. Il. r. Sweeney preached to
great congregations from his pulpit at
the Seventh-strcet Christian church sun
day morning. and at night. At night the
audience filed and overlooked the house.
Dr. Sweeney spoke Of the Expansion OF
Gods Kingdom" His text was the first
twelve verses Of Ezekiel, Xvii. He said,
In part:
Ezekiel was the De Quincy Of the Bible
writer's. His beautiful vision presents the
house Of the Lord at Jerusalem, whence
issues trickling stream which runs
down the Valley Of the Brook Kedron
thousand cubits, and when measured
IS found to be ankle-deep; another thou
sand ana IL is knee-deep; another, and
1t rises TO the loins; another, and it be-
comes a great river, which flows on till
it reaches the Dead Sea. which is sweet
ened, fructifed, and fertized by its pure
waters. 50 that 1t abounds with fish, and
along its basaltic borders spring up beau
tiful trees whose leaves are for healing
and fruits for meat. The spiritual mean
ing of the vision doubtless Is, that God
has always worked in expanding order IN
His gracious purposes 10 man. we VIII
notice this first in unfolding the plan OF
redemption:
GODS PLAN.
There was time when the Gospel ex-
isted simply and solely in the eternal
purpose Of God. He hath saved US and
called us with a holy calling. according
to His own purpose and grace
Then came the time when God devel-
oped His purpose into a promise 10 ADra-
ham. He made no promise OF Christ 10
any one before Abrams day. ITO Abra-
ham and his seed We're the promises
made"
God gave ii by promise 10 Abraham"
He pronounced a curse upon the serpent
IN the Garden but He made no promise
to the guilty pair.
Time rolls on and IN the expansion Of
the Gospel purpose and promise ripen
into prophecy. Jacob. Moses, David and
Isaiah tell in joyful notes of the good
days Of salvation in the future. ages
come and go. and the era of preparation
Is ushered I'm by John the Baptist. who
comes ito prepare the way OF the Lord
This age of preparation lasts till Jesus
dies is buried. rises, and ascends 10
Heaven and sheds forth the Holy Spirit
OF guidance and utterance upon those
whom the earthly ministry of our Lord
had prepared for proclaiming the Gospel.
Then comes the era Of proclamation when
the Apostle Peter, filed with the spirit
for the first time in the worlds history.
proclaims repentance and remission of
sins in the name of Jesus Christ Then
was the Gospel first preached as n fact.
The Gospel, beginning i'm the purpose Of
God expands through the eras OF pro-
mise, prophecy, preparation 10 its pro-
clamation.
Second. This same law Of expansion is
seen in the history Of the Gospel.
David likened it TO a stone cut out Of
the mountain. which expanded and be-
came a great mountain and fled the
whole earth. David said 1t was like "a
HANDFUL Of corn in the top of the noun
tains that should shake like the cedars OF
Lebanon"
Christ likened ii to a grain Of
mustard seed. that should become
mighty tree. II has been growing for
eighteen hundred years, and has become
Il mighty stream, but It has not yet
sweetened the Dead Sea OF a lost and
fruitless world. lis mighticst triumphs
are yet to come. When the Church shall
put away all divisions over things human,
and unite upon the primitive creed, prlm-
tive ordinances. and primitive life, its
day Of victory Will be az hand and the
Kingdoms OF this world shall become the
kingdoms Of our Lord, and His Christ,
and lie shall reign forever.
ORGANIZED A SUNDAY SCHOOL.
The persons who recently withdrew
from GrOve-Ayepue Baptist church and
their children met at Monroe Hall sun
day morning at 915 o'clock and held
Sunday school. There were about seven
~ persons present
The exercises were opened with Scrip
ture reading and prayer by Or. j. 9.
Hden. formerly pastor Of Groye-Avenue.
Mr. John d. Christian, one Of the most
prominent Of those who withdrew, was
elected superintendent. Mr.. Christian
stated in accepting the position that he
would not be able 10 be present every
! Sunday. but would serve whenever in the
city. He was given an assistant. The
other necessary officers were then elect
ed. and after that the little body quietly
settled down to recite the lesson and en-
gage in Bible study as calmly as II they
were in their accustomed places in Grove
Avenue The new school starts out with
every encouraging prospect. The purpose
IS to meet at this han until a more suit
able place can be secured or they can
/ build one Of their OWL.
Dr. Hiden united with the First Bap-
tist church Sunday merning.
SHALL WOMEN SPEAK?
The Baptist ministers had their usual
conference at the Second Baptist church
yesterday .morning, and a discussion of
! one of the most perpieXing problems the
| Church has at present TO deal with