Year: 1876

SERMON BY THE REV. E. s. JAMES.


1t had been previously announced that Bishop +. s.
James would occupy the pulpit of the Forsyth Mctho-
dist Episcopal church yesterday morning, and old
members Of the congregation specially invited to
be present The exterior Of the church presents any
thing but inviting appearance; indeed the entrance
to it is scarcely distinguished from the ordinary door
ways o. the block OF tenement houses OF which
PIES the centre position. Once inside the doorway,
however the transformation is complete; roomy and
nicely carpeed hall leads into tasteful chapel as
can be seen on the east side of the city Frescoed
wallis stained glass windows comfortably cushioned
seats good light and ventilation all combine to make
the room most attractive In this respect, the front
being tenement property and the rear sanctury.
makes the Forsyth street church curiosity in its
way.


THE SERMON


The venerable Bishop preached eloquent discourse
taking his text from Acts, tx, 31-"rhen had the
churches rest throughout all Judoa and Galee and
mara and cd fled and walking in the fear OF the
Lord and in the comfort OF the Holy Ghost null
tipled" In the first part Of his discourse the Bishop
dwelt particularly on the trials and suerngs OF the
primitive Christians, but pointed out the everlasting
reward they received by being steadfast IN the faith
lie explained that the Christian walking in the fear of
the Lord was imbued with courage sufficient TO ward OF
all worldly evils or influences. The possession OF
knowledge OF The love oil Cnrst Jesus was panacea
against all Ills susainer and comforter in every hour
OF need and trouble. There was no rest for the
troubled heart like casting all It's burdens Oh the
Lord This perfect rest, because il was a sweet,
Joyous rest The power and oHice of the Holy Ghost
was then dilatcd upon. The Holy Ghost is Gods com
forter. How often has II happened in the
experience Of many of Us here that in
an hour of darkness memory has brought
TO our solace passage Of divine truth directly ap
plicable TO need and triumphant in faith we have
turned from sorrowing into rejoicing The religion OF
the Bible, my dear friends, is comforting religion,
and the mser, his baser passions counting and
counting his boarded gold although his very soul is
absorbed IN gcang over his possessions, does not ex
perience


Of the Christian who can say, and say truly that his
calling and election arc sure. In conclusion the Bishop
briefly though effectively referred the strength de-
ycIopcd by the Primitive Church. which he in his
reasoning held TO be legitimate logical result OF the
consistency OF its members. The Primitive Christians
I'm all the actions and transactions incident 10 life
walked the fear OF the Lord and in the comfort OF
the Holy Ghost consequently they multiplied, and the
application the Bishop said, was that II the members
OF this little church IN Forsyth street were only filed
with the Holy Ghost pentecosIal shower or grace
might assu: edy be looked for.


Al the conclusion OF the Bishops discourse the Rev.
Mr.. Merwin, pastor Of the church, explained that IN
the improvements necessary to put the church in its
been incurred for which as yet no proper provision has
boon made In fact debt amounting TO upward OF 81 600
had been accumulated These Improvements had been
made by aud with the cordial Endorsement Of the wisest
heads OF the Church. statement whlc the Bishop ac
corded IN by saying that he himself was at the time In
favor Of and advised the enterprise, and was In hts
opnlon only the unwontcd commercial depression
that had intcrfcred with the Investment being re.
munerative from the start A collection taken up,
but the result Was not announced, although from the
statements made by Mr.. Merwin II was evident that
more reliance placed private solicited subscrip-
tons than on the effort made yesterday morning. The
church OF the oldest the east side Of the city
and certainly deserves the cordial support Of Christian
workers among the occupants OF the tenement houses
which abound IN that section.