Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-09

Yesterday morning in the First Chris
tian church the Rev. c. NJ. ollphant, the
retiring pastor, preached his farewell
sermon to the congregation. which was
unusual large. not a member being alb
sent. The sermon was an excellent one.
and at its close the farewell between the
pastor and congregation was touching.
The Rev. oiiphant has made many warm
friends during his stay In this city AID
the sorrow over his departure is not alone
confined TO his congregation. The Rev.
Oliphant leaves Thursday for his new
charge at Paris. ILL.,. and his friends and
congregation unite IN wishing him sue
cess.
Finally. brethren. farewell. Be per-
feet, be of good comfort, be of one mind,
I've in peace, and the God of love and
peace shall be with you" . Cor. 1871.
Three n one-half years ago l came TO
Wheeling a stranger and ye took me in.
There are many thing In tho church
life here pleasant TO consider. For the
mosi part you have helped YOU pas
tol in his work. lie has been strength
ened by your love and patience. The
Aarons and Hurs OF this church, who
hold up the pastors hands. are many
You have stood up faithfully against the
storms and blasts of the world. Consid-
ering the circumstances the church at
tendance has been good. individual lines
have grown. and l trust you all are
stronger. The missionary spirit has
been increased. You now raise nearly
three times as much for missions as you
dii three and one-half years ago. The
missionary church will live. There is.
however. danger that you are too well
satisfied with past achievement.
as your pastor / have tried. through
the strength OF Christ, to do my duty;
nave aimed to declare the whole coun-
sci OF God to saint and sinner. have
c:ten been misunderstood; have efsen
made mistakes, but these were OF the
head and not of the heart. / have aim
ed 10 be a servan not of men, bat of
God. among YOU. r. God. more tha.. TO
az others. l am responsible. Tho best
interests. not of a few people. but Of the
whele church. have been first in my
thoughts. ] have desired and aimed To
he a godly man in all my relations with
ytu
My ideal has been a high one. We
never can fully realize our highest hopes.
All we can do is TO do our best and leave
the result with Goo. Others mist SPEAK
Of hat this passionate has accomplish
&c.
l-efore oar relations are severed, my
ah1 lety for your spiritual welfare goc,
So Ear that / ask you to suffer a wore
OF exhortation and benedictioi
First-Be perfect.
BE as nearly perfect as possible. Christ
is the perfect example. Study His life,
imbibe His spirit; manifest 1t among men
Patience must ave its place in the work
OF growing into Christ. We are not,
however. TO be satisfied with past victor
les. We are to go on to perfection.
We are TO strive TO be perfect In love.
in worship, in attending to the public
and private means Of grace. in striving
against sin. in management and disci-
pine; in all patience and hope: In all
Christian work.
Second-Be of good comfort.
The Holy Spirit IL the comforter. In
affliction, suffering and prosecutions
which come to all, the Holy Spirit
through the word will console.
Comfort one another. Bear We one
another's burdens. Do good to all.
Comfort the afflicted. Work is he key
note to good comfort. Be OF good com
fort.
Three-Be of one mind.
Unity is essential to your success. We
as a people make a plea for Christian UNI
ion. TO impress the people with the pow
be united. Divisions enfeeble and I'M
er of this holy plea we ourselves must
peril the church. Perfectly Joined to-
gether you vii succeed. Divided you will
fail. May you ever be united and thus
be strong.
Fourth-Live in peace.
Christ is the giver of peace. Inc chg
nifty. success and happiness of Christians
demand shat they live In peace. Chris
tianity can only be successfully recon-
mended by those who are peaceablc.
Blessed are the peace-makers for they
shall be called the children of God 1--we
peaceably with all men and the God of
love and peace shall be yith you" My
exhortation to you then is "be perfect, be
of good comfort, be of one mind. live
in peace" And will you allow me to
give you a few words Of benediction?
First-To elders and deacons:
Be of good report, taking heed to your
selves and to the doctrine. May you
admonish, teach, love, pray. forgive and
restore in all long-suffering and humil-
ity. Christ is your model. He alone is
blameless; draw your life knowledge
from Him. He is the founder of all
good.
~Second-To parents:
Bring up your children in the nur-
ture and admonition of the Lord. May
those entrusted TO you be trained In
love, honesty, truth, temperance, humil-
fly and above all. in Christ. Realize your
responsibility. Fill its measure and be
joyful In seeing your children grow in to
Christ.
Third-To aged:
Your earthly journey is almost ended;
your race Is almost run.
May your last days be your best days.
the brightest and the happiest. AS the
outward man perishes may the inner man
be renewed day by day. May our old
age be a good old age.
Fourth-To the middle-aged:
Yours is the time for service. Your
opportunities for doing good are many.
May you meet every demand May you
benefit ankin
Fifth-To the young: