Evening star., 1908-01-20
HIS FoRT|ETH ANNIVERSARY
REV. DIR. A. W. PITZER'S TERM
AS PASTOR.
Services Held in Commemoration at
the Central Presbyterian Church.
Congratulations Extended.

In celebration of the fortieth anniversary
of his pastorate. Rev. DR.. A. w. Pitzer
preached sermon at the Central Presby-
terian Church yesterday morning. The
celebration. which also marked the for
tieth anniversary of the founding of the
church. was made notable by the raising
os $1,000 to pay for extensive repairs
made to the edifice within the past year.
A large. audience greeted the veteran
pastor emeritus, and both before and after
the morning service he was the center of
enthusiastic groups Of members Of the
congregation who extended their congrat-
ulations.
In opening his sermon DIR. Pitzer said he
wished to express his thankfulness to God
that he has been spared to serve the
church for forty years. 1t was a rare ex-
perience. he declared. and he appreciated
the honor Of it.
He wished to congratulate the church,
he said. on several points. First. he
commented on the fact that the church
has recently been renovated and beauti-
fed in excellent taste, at cost of 81, 500.
The new pastor, Rev. James III. Taylor,
was the subject of his next congratula-
tions. He recounted the experiences
how he came to preach In the church ac-
cidentally. after the congregation had
heard twenty or thirty different candi-
dates. and how the congregation decided
to call him after hearing two sermons.
He added that the new pastor not only
has held all of the old members of the
congregation, but also has increased the
membership of the church. In the third
place. DR.. Pitzer said. he extended his
congratulations upon the election of addi-
the new officers, he said, being of fine
character
DR.. Pitzer's Discourse.
DR.. Pitzer next turned to a discussion of
the principles which actuated the movers
In the enterprise, the anniversary of which
was celebrated yesterday, and of the prin-
ciples upheld by the church since. In part,
he said.
First. the church was started right. 1t
originated in no bad feeling. 1t Is record
ed by one of the first members Of the
church: 1T Is our love for the truth and
scriptural worship of God that has ac-
tuated us in starting this church. 1t was
NOT a secession, a rebel a political or a
sectional church. 1t was for all men alike.
From the first day until now men from
the north and men from the south, demo-
Gratis and republicans. have found here a
church home.
Secondly. the church was not antago-
mist to any other church. Its work was
not to contend with its brethren in Christ
as to minor points In theology and church
government. When the world is asking,
Is there God?' rs there a Bible?' rs
there judgment? we cannot waste time
in discussing the refinements of ecclesias-
ticism.
But thirdly. We have always been true
and faithful to the system of doctrine and
government contained in the standards
Of our church. We have no apologies to
make Tor being Calvinists or PresbyteFi-
ans. Personally / do not believe that
Calvin was infallible. nor Is every one of
the many afflrmations of the confession OF
faith Of the church: but do believe that
the system as a whole is a statement OF
truth given by God in the sacred Scrip
lures.
Fourth we have exalted the Scriptures
of the Old and the New Testaments az
the word Of God that abideth forever.
And after fifty years Of daily and earnest
study of these sacred books. l am more
assured than ever that they are the works
not of man. but of God.
Lastly. all we have done and are now
doing is to exalt the Lord Jesus, the Son
OF God. the Son OF Man. the Divine Re-
deemer and the only name given under
heaven among men whereby sinners can
be saved"