The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-27

the tenderness and love existing De- tween Paul and Epaphrus, pr. Dick insof then said that he rejoiced to have spent these years in 6 city where the brotherly love between pastors was so close and confidential. He rejoiced that men in different churches could be followers of the same Christ. He said that he did, not believe that a minis terfal fellowship like that in Selma could be found in this entire State, or in any other State, and he hoped that this brotherly feeling would be foster cd by the noble men who had come to take the places of the several miriis- ters who had gone to other fields.
 Dr. Dickinson said that he was glad that the day ecclesiastical war was over; he was glad that the conversion of the world had taken possession of the church and that strife and discord had been compelled to take a back seat, This feeling of brotherly love among the different denominations was manifested by an outppuring of the diff ferent denominations tonight. and God has poured out his blessings upon us. Epaphrus was not an eloquent preacher, but we are told that he preached the word of God with earn estness. He stood in his pulpit and taught them Christianity and souls were brought to Christ. He preached the grace of God in truth. Epaphrus drew inspiration from the surround ings that environed him, and could see Gods hand in the works of nature. Nature teaches the grace and good ness of God. He who made the fields to bloom and the buds to burst. was teach ing His infinite greatness to man in the handiwork of nature. Dr. Dickin- son then dwelt on the three words so dear to the heart of every Christian | faith, love and hope, that hope which | is laid up in heaven. He said he did not suppose that any preacher ever preached for the mere sake of preach- ing. No preacher should give himself up to the mere builling up of al doc- Urine. A minister should preach to build up character, to stir new hopes that will add contentment and happi- ness in life and try to prepare the souls of men for the blessed life hereafter The most valuable thing that the church had was It's membership. So l Epap sought to build up his peo- ple, and his works bore fruit. pr. | Dickinson said that since he had be- come father, 1t is wonderful how much thought of boys were. Any man who will compare himself with his boy can see how the world is improving. He thought that the world was growing better, and that the church was grow ing in faith. hope and love. He said that Ephaphrus's solicitude away back wonder was not different from that which the true pastor of the present day felt for his flock. The pastor wres- tied in prayer for certain members or his flock, when such mempegs were least aware of it. One of the first du- ties of a new pastor was to become acquainted with his people. He had to know them to get them on his heart. Like a good shepherd. he must know his sheep The real labor of the pastor Is not seen by his congregation. The part that drains is the labor that is unseen. The solicitude of pastor for his flock can be compared to nothing else than the solicitude of mother for her children. Do what faithful pastor will, and he cannot shake off this solicitude for his people. He has their spiritual welfare close to his | heart.
 Pastors have stood here and preached and how powerless seemed their words. God must do the work. We must look to God who sent us forth to bring in the reward of our labor. Pastors need power divine and they must there- fore struggle in prayer for reward They have to be earnest. constant in prayer. The earnest prayer of the | righteous availeth much. A pastor must be Known as a man of prayer. We are conscious of the fact that God is ever ready to help us and support us and supply our weakness.
 There Is spirit pervading the churches that I look upon with mis- givings, 1. e., seculariZed religion. a religion that Is as much human as the doctrine of Buddah. a religion that you can cultivate without any help from heaven, such as fine preaching. fine singing and a great display. But such as that Will never bring yon nearer to your God. Nothing short Of benR born again can bring men to God. We need a new Pentacost. a baptism from on high. Your pastor thinks of you and prays for you when you little dream of 1t.
 But EpaphruB also had a pastor 2 joys. There is something in this world besides riches. and these are laid be- fore a pastor. Epaphrus went to Rome and sat down at Pauls feet and told him how the love of Christ was glow ing in the hearts of the faithful: that his people loved God. and that made this old pastors heart happy. Recon pense your pastors, not only give him temporal support, but show them from time to time the genuinenesS Of your love for God.
 When Dr. Dickinson had closed his sermon. Mir. Little. the new pastor oi the First Presbyterian Church. stepped up into the pulpit and in A few well chosen words thanked Dr. Dickinson for the words that he had spoken. and said it had often been his desire to heai a sermon preached on pastors. The words that Dr. Dickinson had spoken had done him good and he felt that the congregation that had come there tn pay this tribute of love to the minister who was about to leave Us would like to have something to say, and he would therefore suggest that If there were any in the audience who desired to say anything that they could now have the opportunity. Colonel w. R l Nelson then arose and read the follew- ing:
 Whereas. Rev. A. J. Dickinson. D. D., the pastor of the FirsU Baptist Church of Selma has resigned his charge. and is now about to remove to Q larger field of labor. and.
 Whereas. during the twelve years in which Dr. Dickinson has served his congregation in Selma he has. by his l ability as preacher of the great truths of a sound gospel. his warm and genial manner. his gentleness and kindliness. and his undenominational spirit. won the love and respect of the people of this community. therefore. be it
 Resolved. that we. the Christian peo- ple of Selma have assembled without | regard to denominational preferences | art with our beloved friend with great