The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-05-16
MADE A MINISTER
ORDERS OF BAPTIST CHURCH CON-
FERRED ON It. s. WILDER.
MANY PASTORS TOOK PART
IN THE IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY IN
DUFFY STREET CHURCH.

new Minister 10 nave SAAF8 VI II ~
villa Church-Win Leave for His
Passionate Within Few Days-Ordi-
nation Sermon Delivered by Rev.
Robert VanDeventer-Charg Made
by Rev. DIR. Jordan, and Scriptures
Presented by Rev. w. d. Horton.
Ordination Made by Laying on of
Hands-Nevv1y Made Minister De-
Iivered Closing Benediction.
With impressive ceremonies Mr.. j..
5. Wilder, a young Savannahian who
has just completed his course of study
at Mercer University, was last night
ordained a minister of the Baptist
Church. He will leave within few
days for Flovflla, where he has ac-
cepted a pastorate.
The ceremony took place in the Duffy
Street Baptist Church, and was con-
Quoted by the local Baptist ministers
and number of the visiting clergy.
Those present on the platform and who
took part in the service were: Rev.
Robert VanDeventer, pastor Of the
Duffy Street Baptist Church; Rev. DR..
j. D. Jordan, pastor of the First Bap-
fist Church; Rev. D. S. Edenf1eld, pas
tor of the Southside Baptist Church;
ton. Rev. E. Pendleton Jones deliv-
cred a prayer.
The service was opened with a hymn
sung by the choir and congregation,
and this was followed by an announce
ment from Rev. Mr.. VanDeventer, that
in accordance with a resolution passed
by conference, a presbytery had ex-
amined Mr.. Wilder, and that the serv-
ice of ordination would now take
place.
Ordination Sermon.
Rev. ]. N. Lee read a scripture les
son from Acts XX:28-30 and from Tim
othy, third chapter. This was follow
ed by a prayer by Rev. Mr.. Jones, a
hymn and some announcements by
Rev. Mr.. VanDeventer, who then de-
liVered the sermon of ordination. His
text he drew from Acts XX:28, Take
heed, therefore, unto yourselves and
to all the flock over which the Holy
Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed
the church of God, which He hath pur-
"In this text" said the speaker, Paul
refers to the minister in three ways;
as man, as preacher and as pastor"
The speaker then took up each of these
divisions, explained the duties and told
of the temptations. AS a part of this
advice, he said Better be a dull
preacher than indulge in coarseness
and vulgarity to please the multitude.
"You are told to feed the Church of
&c m IN Inv fNre oh
ing the word of God. There are all
kinds of preachers; you can be a 20
| litical preacher though If you are you
will not be following in the Masters
| footsteps; or you can feed your flock
upon the popular topics of the day,
| CLEANED from the newspapers; or upon
literature, or poetry. This is easy
preaching, but such food will starve
your church; If you desire strong men,
feed them on the word"
Rev. D. S. Edenfield delivered the
ordination prayer, and at it's close Mr.
| Wilder remained on his knees while
each of the ministers in turn placed
his hands on the young mans head.
Don't Wear Long Face.
The charge was made by Rev. DR.
Jordan. He introduced it by saying
he always hated to charge a minister
because there are always so many
other persons ready TO charge MIN an(
so few willing to give him anything
He then delivered the charge, saying
Il charge you in the name of God ant
of Jesus Christ to preach the word"
Later the speaker again became hum
orous and told the young minister tina
he was expected to be spiritua
and pious, but warned him against let
ting this become of the long face AM
dyspeptic variety. The world he said
has enough of this kind as it is. He re
ferred to that part of the text where
specifies that a bishop shall have on
wife. This means. DR.. Jordan ex
planned, not that minister must hay
a wife but that he must have but on
wife when he does marry.
He told the new minister, however
that he hoped he would not think 1
necessary to marry just yet as he wa
young and strong and should devot
the next few years to study. He state,
this though he said that he did no
know what bright eyed and ros,
checked Miss Nancy might then be ii
the congregation and looking forwar,
to the time when she should becom
the added ministerial qualification"
Don't worry about keeping poor
DR.. Jordan advised, 1.-The congregation
will attend to that. l preached 81,
months once and all got was a PAL
of socks" Rev. w. d. Horton present
ed the scriptures and, after anothe
hymn Rev. Mr.. Wilder himself deliv
cred the benedicffOn