The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-15
-FOUR FATHERS GOD"
Family Relations, Basis of
Gods DeaIingWith Us.
An Eloquent Sermon Last Night by Rev. Will
liam McPheeters, at the Dedication
Of Presbyterian Church.

Sunday morning at II o'clock the ded-
church of this city will b. preached by
Rev. Waller W. Moore, D. D. OF Rich
mond. DR.. Moore is one OF the most
prominent ministers o: his den )minaJion,
and is noted for eloquent spe ,c1 and
scholarly attainments. He will doubtless
be greeted by large congrc cation. Sew
eral of the other churches OF The city
will join with the Presbycsrians at this
service and the music will be led by
joint choir.
DR.. j. S. Watkins, a former pastor OF
this church will fill the pulpit on Satur-
day and Sunday nights. The Presbyterian
congregation will be delighted to hear
DR.. Watkins again preach. He has been
here since Monday, visiting his former
Pensioners.
The sermon last night was preached by
Rev. William McPheeters. DR.. McPhee-
tiers is tall and has the appearance or a
close student. His face is somewhat thin,
but his countenance is expressive, and
he is very agile on his mental feet, His
sermon was carefully prepared and de-
livered clearly and impressively
Dr.. Eugene Daniel, the present pas
tor of the church, introduced him by re-
ferring to the Presbyterian convention
in Vicksburg in 1884. Here the two first
met and became friends, DR.. McPheeters
being at that time young man. Dr.
Daniels said: THE grandfather of that
young man was in one sense the founder,
and was the first pastor of this church.
The young man himself became profess
sor in the Theological Seminary at Co
lumbia S. C. We have met again, and
it is my pleasure to introduce to you
Rev. William McPheeters, the grandson
of the founder of this church"
DR.. McPheeters then read the fifteenth
chapter of Exodus He announced as his
text, the second verse of the chapter;
"My fathers God, / will eXalt
Him." Gods dealing with men in the
capacity of families as opposed to in
dividually, was his theme. He began
by saying that the family is the unit upon
which society is built. God in establish
ing this relation among men has pro-
vided a cement by which the race shall
be united, by it the friction of the jar
and tear of life is prevented; means
has been provided to mitigate our woes
and magnify our joys. 1t is not hap
pen-so that God established the family
relation. 1t was part of his great plan.
1t is not only best for mans comfort,
but through it God teaches us many les
sons. 1t is continuity as opposed to sue
cession; solidarity instead of sameness.
Our relation to God entities Him to our
best service He also binds us to Him
by the relation He has set up between
us as individuals. l love to think OF
Him as the God of the tribe, the God of
the nation our fathers God.
God has from the beginning dealt with
people as families and not as individuals.
Adams covenant was for his race.
Through his sin, his race was condemned.
God covenanted with Noah as the head
of family. The promise to Abraham
reads: ITO thee and thy seed after
thee" The sacred office was to Levi and
his house. The throne of David followed
direct succession.
The preacher then observed that in his
dealings with man upon the basis of
family, the sins of the father enured to
the undoing of the children, while the
good deeds of the father were accounted
righteous for his children. He said that
God covenants with the parents for the
children, and by way of illustration spoke
of the instance of his grandfather, whose
son and grandson were ministers and of
the Hoges and Lacys and others whose
names for generations back have been
synonyms for Cody men.
The family relation teaches some val
liable lessons. /. There may be de-
pendence without degradation. 2. There
may be service without servility. 3. 1t
teaches the sweetness and preciousness
of love. 4. The necessity and pFOpriety
OF obedience. 5. The benefit of chasten-
ing.
And when l see" said the preacher,
chow the violation of moral law brings
death, | am reminded of the scripture
which says The law was ordained to
lie. The moral law is as inexorable as
any physical law, so the family relation
which some time seems the individuals
dreful undoing was ordained for the
good of man..
People are never so happy or unhap-
i,,to0 iV