The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-14
REVISION NOT NEEDED
Said Rev. A. K. Shaw, in a
Sermon Last Night.
An Eloquent Sermon on The History Of the
Presbyterian Church. Dedca-
ton Service.

The second of the dedication services of
the First Presbyterian church of this city
took place last night. The sermon was
preached by Rev. A. r. Shaw, of Hen
derson.
The services were begun by an offertory,
'Rock of Ages" by Messrs. Wharton and
Cheek. Mrs. Hamilton and Miss Richard
son. The choir was composed of Misses
Richardson, Belle Heartt, Maud Dinwid-
die, Rhetta Daniel Josephine Mitchell,
Mrs Hamilton. Misses Womble. Bessie
Bate and Annie Jones, and Messrs. Whar-
ton Hughes Baumann, and Cheek. Miss
Grace Duncan was organist.
Mr.. Shaw was introduced by the pastor,
Dr. Eugene Daniel who said:
The Albemarle Presbytery, the one to
which this church belongs, covers thirty
one counties mainly in the northeast part
of the State. The work done by our de-
omination in this territory is largely mis-
sionary. This congregation has been for
ward in carrying forward the work of
Albemarle Presbytery. One sixth of its
expenses are borne by this congregation
The church at Henderson, also member
of Albemarle, is equally diligent, in pro-
portion to it's strength. in this work.
introduce to you, it's pastor, our close
friend, excellent brother and close neigh
Dor, who will preach to you the word of
Cod
DR.. Shaw selected as his text the third
verse of the Epistle of Jude: 1--WE should
contend earnestly for the faith, that was
once delivered to the Saints
He introduced his theme by stating that
the faith" mentioned must be taken OBJ
jectively and not subjectively THE prop
er statement of the text them, said he
lis, we should contend earnestly for the
truth, which was delivered unto the
Saints, once for ALL The highest defini-
ton of truth is the word of God: God
shows what high estimate he places on
truth by making his word, which is the
clearest revelation he has given of him
self % the instrument of salvation, and
(2) the rule of final judgment.
The preacher then said that the history
of the Presbyterian church, the relation it
bears to the progress of Gods Kingdom
and Gods commands, all these are incen-
tive to us to do the very best work we
may He would like to discuss the text
under each of the three heads. but time
was only sufficient for the first. The His
He said he did not intend to speak
slightingly of any of the sister churches
all of which are doing valiant service for
| the Master, but he proposed to answer
some of the traudcers of his church, who
| say that Calvansm is an effete system
OF theology Effete means barren. Is
| Calvanism barren? Let us see. Call the
roll of the great men before the reforma-
| ION orlN oil of n1IyiO iCtS
Call the muster roll of the reformers;
| Luther Cranmer. Knox Jerome. without
an exception Calvnists. And yet Calvin
ism is called effete. The roster of mar
tyrs and confessors of Holland, Skitzer-
land, Geneva, France and all the countries
Of the old world are all Calvinists-men
who have rendered sacred the soil of
their countrv and men who loved their
| country better than their life. In England,
non Calvinistic country the men who
had shed brightest luster upon their coun-
try's name have been Calvanists.
I'm later times. in our own land" said
the preacher "has Calvinism been less eff
fective? He quoted from Bancraft, show
ing the important part Calvinism has
played in the settlement of this country
The only minister of the Gospel who sign
GQ Ine ueCIdTdlIOu Ol independence was d
Calvinst. The Presbyterian church, said
he, is the most powerful on the globe.
1.-The confession needs no revision. 1t
is founded upon the Bible. 1t is strong.
1t is pref eminent among all uninspired
carnations from the mind of man. Its
detractors hate it because they hate that
upon which it is founded. And while
live, and while your beloved pastor lives,
no profane hand shall touch that symbol
without protest"