The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1905-05-13
SERMON PREACHED IN TRINITY CHURCH, ELkTON,
BY REV. WILLIAM SCHOULER, SUNDAY, MAY T. 1905
with One Mind Striving To-
gether For The Faith Of The
GospeI"- philippians 1:27


Inns hfNt sunday III May recalls the
beginning made in public religious ser
vice of the sacred relation which binds
-. ,..,...
''','' anu P'"P''' "Dn
WHlch mas continued nhhr"Nen Ter tuIl
quarter IF century.
| take plra,urr in having before Won
81 +h,. ,,,,..t +h,, ,.;,lr,. ,,,,...,,,,. - ,,r
Wv "''''''' W
hI>i"p' hl'iS'tl i"r some rlGhtr'h years
pnNt identified with the life of Trinity
Parish. He writes ~. fv.ows.-"I con
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my '.''''' ','''
your lirlNh' 'oo' ana wish l could be
with you to participate iw tn" celebration
which is an all-lrennl honor, and an a1-
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''''' '' '''''''>'7'',
1t h"~ n"'h 'h"n=At worth IN" While
to mark the Anniversary with special
remembrance. And fer the manT kindly
expressions Of regard and affection. and
notably for the tangible and lasting
token of love ana appreciation that has
associated it,"lf with this happy Ami
YcrsHry. | thank YOU. my dear people,
most heartily. rcciprocatng to the full
ana colhu"nce.
The observance of "A twcnty-iifth An
nivcrSary is ON" that naturally suggests
itself III connection with n l"ng-continu-
ed pastoral relation. 1t marks the com
pletlon of prolonged term Of united
service by Minister and People. We
fall readily into the habit of laying off
our time by centuries and half ccntur-
rIul1rrfil,l with rho IllIllir
mcmoration of various events. But the
occasion would be rare, indeed. where
the expiration of fifty years should find
Il Rector in active charge of the Parish
which he had begun to serve in hia
early ministry. And where such excep-
tional circumstances, should exist. the
changes wrought by tn" lapse Of time
would largely dcbar from the olspor-
tunity for retrospect and comparison.
for the survey of the period from its be-
ginning to it, close on the part of those
joining i'll the communication. y twenty
fifth Anniversary nced not be ~ eN-
tremely rare an event. albeit cXccItinLal
i'll the history of Il Parish. And when
the occasion does present itself, there
remain not few among the partici-
pants whose memory easily covers the
'''ii' l'il''' i'i iii'h- lii' F~h'J''t ~
retrospect.
There is something to be said for short
RectUi~hips in the opportunity afforded
people for plofting by the different
gifts of different men; for listening to
the truth as vnriouSly presented. accord
ing to varying temperament, varying
etandlnintS. The advantage, whatever
1t be. is easily open tG the test of cxpcr-
SAp in, "a i=ln I',i. =l,.
ships are. as it would seem. the rule, and
not the exception. Where. however,
there comes neutrality-suspicious.
eouSly-the association OF years in prayer
and labor of the ordained leader and the
people who lGok TO him for guidance
special and peculiar benefit mary DE
looked for; benefit in which each may
share. The heightened 7mStorntc. eX-
tending over a score or more of years,
gives opportunity for the teaching and
training of a whole generation, from the
first dawningS of moral consciousness
until the period when the foundations of
character may be said to be fairly laid.
There is Il special value attaching to the
counsel of the spiritual Physician that is
blscd upon intimate knowledge of the
spiritual constitution. 80 to speak. in
the particular instance: knowledge
derivahle from lCng-continued "bserva-
ton and intimate personal association.
There is hcightcning of the power of
appeal coming from the Christian Pas
tor where there are memories in con
mor Of experiences joyous, or ladn with
sadness; of holy mini~trations at Font,
or Altar. or at the sick bcl or at the
open grave. To the extent thAt the life
has enforced the appeal the long sue
ce>Sion of years has contributed to the
augmentiu= Of personal character in
fuencc. And the Minister of Christ 10
whom it is given tn render to the same
Flock for long-cXtendtel term of years
the holy offices pertaining to his calling,
may well be thankful for the privilege
cnuring TO himself in such experience: