The sun., 1900-04-09
DR.. KINGS BON At GRACE
The New Pastor Explains the
Faithful Preacher and the
Model Congregation.
MEMBERS GREATLY PLEASED
Ministry is Not More Sacred and
Divine Than Any Other Pro-
fession---Compariso ofDr.
King and Peter as
New Pastor.

Rev. William Writ King, D. D., The
new pastor Of Grace Methodist Episcopal
Church, preached his inaugural sermon
in this city yesterday, and during
strikingly forceful discourse took occa-
sion to elucidate the faithful preacher
and tine model congregation. MIR. Kings
sermon, however, applicable to churches
in general was especially designed for
Grace's new PASTORS initial appearance
among the members of new congrega-
ton. Grace Church was crowded to the
doors. Mr.. King evidently appreciated
the cause for such an outpouring which |
he designated in opening his sermon as,
curiosity to see and hear ''the new
preacher" The hundreds composing
Mr.. Kings congregation turned away
from the West street editice giving ex.
preston to many declarations of pleas
Qre. The expressions of the members
may be considered as the proper eyi-
dence, then the st. Louis divine is going
to be we'll liked by the Grace Church
congregation
The service, at which Mr.. King de-
| liyered his first sermon, was the regular
morning service. In additiol to the
usual music Mr.. Frank Mason, basso
soloist, sang "The Palms." Appropriate
to Palm Sunday the solo was rendered in
that charming manner and with that
descriptive force SO familiar to Whining
ton audiences, with whom Mr.. Mason is
a favorite.
Mr.. King accomplished his own intro
duction to the congregation before the
announcement OF the text with these
words: IL understand the curiosity with
| which some of you are present this
morning, Il is to see the new preacher.
Try and overcome this and listeL to the
message Of God as given you from the
pulpit"
The twenty. ninth verse Of the tenth
chapter Of the Acts of the Apostles
formed MIR. Kings text. That verse
deals with the incident Of 81. Peters
i vision, in which the Lord called him to
Caesaria, where he was TO preach to
Gentiles. Prior to Peters vision the
Jews thought all GentIles unclean. They
pointed with pride to thsir own nation
!. ality. 81 would be proud OF it too,
were Jew" said Mr. King. "They be
lieved it to be the only aristocracy with
the divine stamp on it. They dreaded
the word 'unclean,' drawing an analogy
; in that particular as between a GENTLE
and dog. Peters vision was the break
ing OF the dividing lines Of castles and
; the opening OF way for the pnomnlga-
. tion OF the wonderful truth that G1i is
no respecter Of persons
MIR. King likened The going OF the
' apostle Peter to Caesaria from Jappa to
the modern transfer of Methodist
preacher from one appointment to an
other. "Let us stretch our imagination" /"
he said, land consider that Conference
! had just adjourned at Jappa. Peter was
dissatisfied with the announcement that
he was to 60 Caesaria This place was q
large city. This is the only case on
record where minister was dissatisfied
on receiving city appointment. When
! Peter saw the good results OF work In
CAesaria he explained, i perceive have
been mistaken. GJd is no respecter oi
persons.
; 81 thought we might get Out OF thii
incident what our relationship should be
by studying how Peter conducted him
J eelf and how his new congregation re-
. artificial educational qualifications to
, which so many preachers today aIe ex-
pectt d to measure is the ordaining hand
of God. The ministry is divine insti
tuition. The voice of the Lords call will
, not let a true minister rett. II leads him
to 60 whether he preferred not to go,
and to leave things he desired to be
with. A life OF conservation and courage
is not thing Of the past among
preachers.
Preacher Same as Amy Other Man
"When Cornelius accepted salvation
and gorified God he cast himself at
Peters feet and worshipned Peter. The
| nnnstta aaiH. tSfonA Gnrnalii1Q I
myself, also am a man | know preach.
!, ere who would have let poor Cornelius
) remain on his knees in the attitude oi
, worship. That is not the spirit of Chris
tian manhood which asserted itself in
Peter.
Every preacher is man made OF
the same poor clay as yourself. A
preacher is not entitled to any especial
recognition. don't believe the minis
try is any more sacred or divine thar
any other honorable profession. Honor
is not in the office. Every calling, We
believe, is sacred and divine. No sen
sible man who occupies pulpit will
want any especial recognition or rever
! ence. A preacher must gain respect by
,, earning it. He must be judged by hi
manhood; being something AID doing
something.
! Too Much Aimlcss Prea ching.
"a preacher must study his congrega
ton, and not speak to them at random
There is too much aimless preaching
We do not believe in those men wht
without sincere preparation get up il
! the pulpit and expect God to put tn,
: words in their mouths. We have hearc
them before now, but we were neve
8 knowingly guilty Of hearing them the
: study AID work. He does not have I,
/. possess a college diploma nor is il neces
sary that d. d. should be attached Il
his name. Shakespeare, Spurgeon an,
Father Taylor never had any colleg