The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-21


 the dearest quality of friendship, and friends are valued according as we may depend upon them. God being un- l changeable. and His love everlasting, can safely be depended upon. He Is commended again because of his perfect knowledge of us and our needs. The | most intimate association falls in ef- fecting perfect knowledge between com panions, but God knows. He who made the soul knows the soul, and only he. God is commended again because Of His perfect syn pathy.
 Precious as Is human sympathy. IL is still imperfect. It can only exist be- tween human beings in perfection, where there is an identity of experi- ence. This is, from the very nature or the case, impossible. But God can per- fectly sympathize because. with a per feet knowledge He unites a loving ln- tention."
 His is a conquering cause" con- tinued Dr. Patterson. His armies may meet with reverses, never with de- feat While difficulties are great, the ultimate triumph Is sure"
 The speaker commended ms hearers to the word of grace-the BiDle-tne old book that had endured so long. Through the contents of which our mothers had searched, and from which our fathers had drawn the inspiration of their noble lives. He urged his hearers not to neglect the private study of the word nor its public ministra, tions. It's power was for character, ana the upbuilding of this he hoped to see as a result-through Gods grace-of ms ministry.
 Upon the conclusion of the sermon beautiful solo was sung by Mrs. Ben, nett Griffin of New York, accomp inied by the violin under che exquisite touch of Mir. Griffin.
 Welcomed by Ministers. The welcome exercises proper were | begun by Rev. MT. Lamar. who spoke | briefly. He referred to the occasion as one which demonstrated the unity or the Christian religion. All churches were working together in a common cause, and he was glad to be present, he said, and to cordially welcome pr. Patterson in behalf of the Methodist denomination of Montgomery. He felt at home in a Presbyterian Church, be- cause, he said, his grandfather hao been a member of that denomination. '
 The remarks of MT. Lamar were or the warmest character, and he spoke | with great earEestnecs.
 l Rev. Stewart Mcqueen followed MT. Lamar. He prefaced his remarks by quoting from the Psalmist, Tt is a good thing for brethren to dwell to- gether in unity" and this quotation | was the key to his welcome address. | Mir Mcqueen spoke at some length upon the duties of the pastor. and Of the pembers of the congregation and their relation 6ne to the other. He closed by warmly welcoming pr. Pat terson into his new field of work | Rev. MT. Anderson. after reading I -H cd session of the church of Murfreesboro commenting Dr. Patterson to the churches of Montgomery, read letters of regret from other ministers of the city.
 MT. Anderson then spoke of his great joy that Dr. Patterson had accepted the call to the First Presbyterian Church. He said he represented the Presbyte- ries of Alabama, and especially the East Alabama Presbytery, which re- ioiced that so able a minister was to have charge of this important church. He referred to the organization of the Ministers Union of Montgomery, of which he is President and expressed the opinion that Dr. Patterson would be a great acquisition to that body.
 Dr. Patterson Responds.
 When MT, Anderson had concluded, pr. Patterson arose, and, with evident emotion, spoke as follows:
 q am deeply grateful to you, the representatives of the different churches of the city, for your presence and to you, my brethren in the ministry, for your words of welcome. Callous, in- deed, and impervious to all appropriate emotion must that man be who would not in such circumstances feel a thrill of qualification prevailing his spirit. The augury is propitious for the future happiness of myself and family. and l for the success of the pastorate just beginning that you welcome me so warmly. I trust that you will let me become one of you indeed. I wish to i i tbe sS citizen of your city, anu to De known as such. I wish to be a friend and fellow worker, and to be known as such. I trust I may be permitted to win your respect and confidence. I am anxious for these. But most of all I am hungry for your love. More and more do I realize the dependence of our human friends, and more and more do lean on those whom God has giv- en to be my friends. When I stood in this pulpit this morning to declare to my people the sacred message, it was with the knowledge that half an hour earlier in Murfreesboro, at the morning prayer meeting, special petitions had been offered for me and my work. The thought of these prayers, the outgoings of loving sympathy is inexpressably precious to me, and it is such love that I most earnestly desire at your hands. I believe that you will give it, and in that hope and trust l give you my hand in Christian fellowship, and thank you for your welcome.
 The welcome services were concluded with the hymn "Blest be the Tie That binds" announced by Mir. McC~leen, and Dr. Patterson pronounced the ben- ediction.
 After the conclusion of the formal services a large number of persons went forward to meet pr. Patterson,
 SPOKE OF HOSPITAL.
 1 Rev E. G. MurnhY Wants No City