The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-01-05
rlr. jennings Greeting. t.,aa

]
lowing New Years ADDRESS TO his congre'
CATION;
Tho Rev. f. c. jennings pastor OF Han
over Presby terian Church has issued the
following New Years greeting to the
members of his congregation.
'Belovel Friends: Your pastor sends
YOU greeting in the name Of Christ. wish
lug you happy New Year. May 1t DO IN
deed for all year Of graca. in which you
shall keep yourselves in the love OF God.
looking for the mercy Of our Lord Jesus
Christ unto salvation.
! PRECIOUS memories OF our short life to-
sether in the old year crowd in upon me
as write. Memories Of kindnesses and
undeseryed commendation-ofc confidence
and sympathy, for which cannot be too
grateful. 'Fo- it is friendship that cheers
like sunbeam, that inspires life brave
leader, that binds Hike golden chain''
Friendship and its love makes like worth
the living, and such you have already
shown to me. May It be ever thus. -
.Bldding farewell, to the old year, let
us not forget that everything through
which we pass has its power In forming
character. There was lesson from the
friends we met. from the books we read,
from the events of our lives, from our
days Of activity and our days Of silence.
that unite in tbs moulding Of our lives for
all time.
'But let US together, look forward to
the new year. Enlarged opportunity al
ways mean 9 increased responsibility. We
have glorious history, but wo must not
take time to count laurels.' Ideal lifeis
not ideal rest, but ideal activity. There
are certain characteristics Of the success
full church hat we may do well to recall
TO mind and resolve to fulfill during the
coming year.
"Fi,st, its members must lead conse-
Grated Christian life. They must be llv-
ing epistles, known and read Of all men. |
Again, 1T must BET praying church; when
we no longer desire the care aud protec-
ton of God. His promises are without
meaning and fulallment for us. 1t must
be worshtpping church There are some
who, because of old age or ill-health, or
the duty Of caring for others, cannot reg.
ularly attend public worship, but the
number is not large. You cannot expect
strangers and those not church members
to attend service which your conduct
teaches them that you esteem Of little I'm
portance. Let this be one OF the rosolu-
tions for the New Year. every member:
to be regularly In their places at the Sab
bath aud Wednesday evening serviaa. A
service which you attend even At some
sacrifice, will often give you unexpected
help and reward you doubly In the en-
which your presence gives
to your pastor and fellow. wnrshipp 'rs.
Again. q successful church must have a
warm welcome for strangers. and nom
church going people, when they attend
any Of its services. Tie heart must be
warm as we'll as the hand. A successful
,hurch must also be giving church.
Each person should give something regu'
arly and systematically to the support Of
] DIS house. The usefulness Of many
church Is hindered by the back OF financial
support. Will not each one ask himself
{ ho is doing all that God would have
lin do!
And there is ono further characteristic
Il the successful chuYch that must not
,e passed over. 1t Is a united church.,
IN organization in which each estesms
,thers better than himself, in honor pre-
erring one another. There are many i'm
,ortant graces In a successful church, but
he greatest OF these Is charity, both to 7
elbow. " orshippers and to pastor. We
hould love our church as the means \
trough which, being ourselves redeemed. q
70 may work to bring the glad tldings to s
Tiers. It's good nnmo should be precious
0 US. We should strive to bring others
0 love 1t also-first making US worthy OF
heir love. b
"Laboring together as Gods fellow
vorkers, aud with the presence Of His .
pirit, this church may expect to accom-
lish great work during the coming year. T
od grant that there shall fail for us none I
I all the good things that He has prom .
ed tv those that lovo Him. May Hs hear
ur prayer and grant unto us His sJund'
ut favor.
IF. CoRNwELL JENNINGS. Pastor"