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ML ZION CHURCH IN AMERICA.
vol xvm.
SALISBURY, N.C. THURSDAT§ MAY ?4, 1394
4
NUMBER 21
RUNNING FIRE COMMENT ON
PER80NB AND THINGS.
BY REV. J. W. SMITH.
Anthony U one of the happiest men la
Zion. He fairly shakes with laughter
because the New York Age three weeks
ago aoored pretty sharply Bishop Toner
and I for killing organic onion. Then in
a frenzied freak he tuna and hits the
Colored jjnerfeaa beoanse it said the
union between Bethel and Zion is off,
and that I led the opposition. The
American and the Age are better readers
of the signs of the times than our friend
professor Anthony. These two brilliant
Negro papers know that organio union is
dead. They generally horosoope the
oavt of religious and political events
with almost prophet!o ken before they
r ach a conclusion,
♦ * *
Anthony who is walking in darkness
asks:—“Are we to understand that the
announcements made by two secular pa
pers to tbe effeot that the union of ‘Zion’
and “Bethel” churches is off, proceeds
from official authorities f ” No, Antho
ny, it prooeeds from the people who are
the greatest authorities after alt Tbe
American people are greeter then any
President or Congress. The members
are greater than the bishops and general
conference. Prof. J. C. Price at the last
general conference was making a speech
that did not please one of the bishops,
and the biabop made a threat. Dr.
Price quiokly replied In a ringing voloe
that “tbe bishops and ministers are the
servants of tbe people, the people are
sovereigns, and will be heard tnd re
spected.” A deafening applause from
the general conference greeted theee fiery
remarks. It showed that that learned
body of common sense men well knew
that the people are “the power behind
tbe throne.” Anthony you know the
meaning of Vox Popeii, Vex Del.
Many leading churches in both owl
nections have voted egalnet this humbug
movement, to say nothing of the smaller
churches, and many more are going to
follow suit. Then there are loti of
churches that have not voted, although
they have had plenty of time to do so.
And, mark you, many of the pastors who
were almost crazy for union, are pesters
of these churches. Why don’ttney have
their churches vote f It shows that
either these pastors are not sincere In
this matter, or that their people wont
have organio union. Then Bishop WeL
ters complained a few months ago be
cause the reports of churches voting
came in so slow. I have also talked with
some of the bishops on both sideeand
they admit that organio union is dead
One bishop said that last platform Was
a “oompound of nothing.” I have had
interviews with many et the leading men
oi both churches and they said there
would not be any union; that the thing
did not start right; that it shoald
have started from the people and not
from tbe bishops and ministers; that the
people did not authorize the last general
conferences of theee two denominations
to bring this matter up.
But why need I waste words to oon
vinos Anthony that the union between
Zion and Bethel is oflf If he doesn’t
know it he will soon l«em It If he wiU
w alk around a little after the oommenoe
ment of the college is over. I am glad I
led the opposition, ably seoonded by men
on both sides, which prevented a million
of people from joining a movement which
would have been suicidal, and resulted
in splits and in establishing of other
Zion and Bethel chnrohee.
» * *
The New York Age ii a foe worthy of
uy man’s steel and If Its oauee Is strong
It will fight you to a finish. In Its fight
on organio union Its oause Is weak and
its arguments old and threadbare. It Is
a’l torn up because It says Bishop Turner
and I are standing In the way of union
Well, we will erer stand !■ the way until
the first foundation of union is laid,
which is “fraternal union.” There Is
very little of that to-day between these
two churches. Anthony, who gives his
hand of congratulation to the Age for
hitting Bishop Turner and I, admits this
fact. He says In the Stab of May 81
that ‘‘others who were enthusiastic for it
at first are not so hopeful now not be
oause they believe la It lees—but because
the spirit of fraternal union eeemsto be
lacking.” This fact being generally ad
mitted by the unionists It seems to be
the sheerest nonsense to talk or think
of uniting these two great denominations
This] union effort Is more for human
than for divine glory. One reason why
it has collapsed so suddenly Is because
there Is no God in Ik If the Age doubts
this assertion let It take down its old
Bible and read Acts v:8*-». “If this
counsel or this work ha of men) It will
come to nought: butif Itheof God, yi
cannot overthroe It, leat haply fo be
found even to fight against God.”
— - * and ! will
have a great deal to
lag In the way of
Age hai oonsulted the Divine mind end
know* whet it is talking about. I shall
be highly pleased at the day of judgment
to have the privilege of answering for
every word I have uttered against organic
union, for the unionists will then say,
“In yonder’s world we eaw through a
glass darkly; but now taoe to face. Bro.
Smith, yon were right.*' * will not
leogthen this artiole as I shall, Hallowed,
answer the Age in Its own columns this
week.
* * *
Doubtless when this article appeals the
Philadelphia and Baltimore oonferenoe
preaided over by Bishc p Walters will be
in session In Harrisburg. A lot of breth
ren have heard from heaven recently and
they feel that the Lord wants them in
such and suoh a place "and that place
means a fat place, of course.
* * *
Rev. O. L. Blackwell, in his weekly
theological talks in the Stab tells how
incorrect and funny some candidates
answer some questions propounded to ,
them by the oonferenoe examining com
mitteee. I remember s case In Washing
ton when I was on the committee during
my oonferenoe. I was examining a man
la geography. He was about 40 ytars
old, with a emm and sour look. I asked
him what wasgebgraph) f He answered
correctly. 1 then asked him what was
the earth ? Top who study geography
know the answer. Well, he looked at
me a minute and got angry as he thought
I was making fan of him and he said, in
a quick and gruff voice, “Can’t you ask
me any better question than that; you
must tbi«k 1 am a long-headed fool; its
the ground I reckon.”
* * *
Would it not be well for the Stab to
let the church know about once or twice
a month how Bishops Thompson and
Harris are getting along?
* * *
I beard to-day from the scholarly P. ▲
L. Hubert, the financial secretary of
Livingstone College. He says, “Smith,
I told yon last year that I most raise two
hundred dollars per month. I have been
out eight months since my last report.
How yon look out for this report when 1
reach the oollege the 20th of May.'* My
friend Hubert told me some months ago
when the general conference oomes
he expeots to show morn money raised
thu any other general offioer we have.
Dr. Manley says he expects to do the
same. Go ahead, boys; magnify your of
fices; keep the law by making reports so
that Zion can eee what you are doing.
* * *
In a reoent Iana of the Stab Pretiding
Elder F. K. Bird stempe aa. untrue the
report that the North Carolina confer
once is opposed to transfers. Oood 1
TK«t. is the Aping report, and it is refresh
ing to Ielow there is no truth in it. I
could not believe this of the grand old
North Carolina conference. It is silly in
any conference to oppose transferees, for
certain parts of the connection would never
be built up without such men. When we
remember that many of our bishops who
planted Zion in the South were Northern
transferees, and when we remember that
the prosperity of many of our big churches
an over Zion were built np by transferees
from the North and South, it seems per
fectly ridiculous that any sc* of brethren
should kick on this line. We should feel
that every inch of ground, and every nail,
shingle and board in Zion is oars; that
where our services are needed most there
we will ao, caring not a button what other
think of it. Our eon erencee do
not belong to any set of men, and what
right have they to kick against the ap
pointments of the bishop ? It some of
these mean, jealous, envious, seotlonal
men who because they are too lasy to study
mid fed'they are becoming back-aumbers
•rc not satisfied with the bishop’s trans
feree, let them get their Bible, umbrella
and carpet-bag and get out of Zion as fast
as their feet will carry them. I am down
on this everlasting howl of “sectionalism ”
If we keep np this erf the day will oome
when Zion will be divided—North and
South—like the Methodist Episcopal
church. Every general conference when it
oomee to elect bishop and general officers
this *»—e*wg sectional ory is heard. Ti e
loyal, progressive men of Zion must rebuke
it I am not thinking of transferring, bat
if I was, the bellowiags of men wouldn’t
amount to a snap of tire finger with me.
l*t the bishops have the backbone to
frfifflir men wherever they se fit Zioa
most be bni'tup.
Cfcriicle, Pa.
HERBERT, (8. G) NEWS.
BT AVON.
Sir, onr quarterly conference and meet
■g convened 1b Salat Lake ehtrroh on
gsroh 3d and 4th, Rev. H. Blake preeld
m- Pomp and harmony prevailed
tobnghout and eaeh pastor
node a creditable rppogt.
jOa. Sunday ti U a, mM Bred ding Elder
p lake preached an excellent serssoa from
rdm S«MubJeot, “And if I be lifted
up from the earth I .will draw all men
unto Me,*' and the church oaught the
same influence. At 8 p. m., he adminis
tered sacrament, and after whioh Rev. S.
L Jones filled the rostrum and preached
mother soul-stirring sera on, and also
we realised daring the quarter $7 SO.
Services at Saint Lake were conducted
by Rev. S. L Jones in the absenoe of the
pastor. We have a fine Sunday school
whioh was organized April 4th by R. B.
Jeter as superintendent and Miss Esther
Tucker as secretary We have enrolled
27 pupils with seven offioers.
DOTS FROM THE LAND OF |
FLOWERS.
SPECIAL EASTER SERVICE AND
GRAND RALLY FOR SUNDAY
SCHOOL UNION.
BY REV. J. N CLINTON, A. B.
Early Saturday morning the Sunday
sohool committee and other ladies by
speeial invitation oould be seen with has
kets of beautiful flowers and evergreens
wending their way to Talbot ohapel A
M E. Zion ohuroh to deoorate and beaut
ify the large and spacious chapel; for,
the morrow was Easter Sunday and the
children and young people were looking
forward to the grand exercises promised
by the superintendent and indicated by
the beautiful program published in tne
daily papers of the oity; while their par
ents and older folks remembered the an
nouncement that the pastor would preach
a special Easter sermon to which gospel
feast all were kindly invited to oome and
participate. The weather was stormy
and rain poured down in copious show
ers; but so intent and determined were
Mrs. Ellen Smi h and the ladies of the
committee that the ohapel should be
beautifully decorated, their efforts ceas
ed not until the church was beautifully
and handsomely dressed with floral de
signs, gorgeous to behold. That beauti
ful heart of roses with the inscription,
“He is risen,*' was contributed by sister
Ellen Smith who seems to be an adept in
floral designs All, the floral contribu
tions were Indeed grand but too numer
ous to mention. All Saturdsy night it
rained—Sunday morning the storm had
Increased and at eleven o'olock a few had
assembled and greeted their pastor, El
der Carter, having braved the storm in
their anticipation and eagerness to be on
baud and present their Easter offerings
for the benefit of the Sunday-school
Union.
At 3 p m, Rev. E. J. Carter, Zion's
strong and forceful divine, preached a
speoial Easter sermon from the theme—
“It was impofs’ble for death to hold
him." Though the congregation was
small on acoount of the continual down
pouring of rain, the pastor’s eloquent
and able sermon will long be remember
ed by those who came through the blind
log storm and were intellectually and
spiritually benefitted by the burning
words of gospel truths whioh fell from
his lips.
At 7:30 p m, the rain had ceased and
the clouds threatened rain the ohuroh
was soon oomfortably filled with mem
bers and friends anxiously awaiting and
determined to enj^y the speoial Eister
service, arranged for this hour by the
superintendent, fur the adult and inter
mediate scholars of the Sunday-sohool.
“Praise God from whom all blessings
flow" was heartily sung by the choir and
congregation. Rev. E. J. Carter offered
a fervent and soul-stirring prayer for the
school, its officials and teachers, the
ohuroh spiritually and all the people.
The ohoir sang “Gloria in patri." The
introductory remarks by the superintend
ent encouraged a hearty co-operation in
every effort to sustain our Sunday-school
Unicn and thus hasten the ultimate real
izstion of its great aim as set forth by
Dr. Morris and the Board of Bishops
“Jesus is risen" was lead by that brainy |
young Ztonite, Riohird H. Blount.1
“Easter carols)1 sung so prettily by two
little girls of No. 5, will cause many little
ones hsreafter to try and emula'e their
example
Miss M F. Milton, who read her essay
with so much effect, informed us that
“Easter eggs" were a symbol of ereatic n
and new life; she said: “For the Chris
tian it symbolised the resurrection of
Christ" The essay read by Miss Adrella
Hilton, whose subjeot was “Aim in life,"
was a literary treat and was therefore
highly oommended. Misses Coleman
and Gaskins sang very sweetly that beaut
lful duet, “Unger with me." Mrs. B,
Simmons, who had taken for her subjeot
“The denied and forsaken Savior," was
at her best and read so blearly and dis
tinctly that her audience gave marked
attention and audibly expressed their ap
preciation at the close of her essay. Mas
ter Clayton 411etfe recitation was excep
tionally good and his teaches may vrell
beproqdof bim. Misses Hilton, Gary and
Willis sang a beautiful trio whioh was
exceedingly appropriate and nioaly ren
‘ dered. Miss Minnie Gaskins who baa
---I
been attending the State Normal lohool,
read an essay upon the subject^"The as
tension.” Her ability Is unquestioned
and her lovable disposition and willing*
ress to do any thing assigned her, wins
for her the esteem of the pasto*%nd sup
erintendent as well at the love of aU who
know her. Miss Katie Hopkins and L.
Coleman were very maoh admixed and
read- remarkably well; their subjects
were ''Gethsemane” and "Christ in the
judgment hall.” Little Bessie Rummer
supported by olass No. 13, sang "Golden
years.” It was hard tp deoide which one
did best as all were highly commended.
Mias A. Coleman read a beautiful descrip
tive essay on "Peter and John’s‘journey
to the sepubhre.” Mrs. Alice Bradley’s
essay will long be remembered; her sub
ject was "The betrayal of the Savior;”
hers was a grand effort and the lady her
self is truly a noble young womant "The
Centurian soldier” was the subject of an
essay read by Mrs. Josie Abdel Kader.
If her introductory had not contained an
apology for her Inability to write, thus
preventing us from giving the due meas
ure of praise her essay deserves. We
have oould said it was second to none in
thought, language and sentiment. The
best rule always is to make no apoliglee
whatever—It always detracts. Always
strive to do tire best we can and merit
will reap its own reward. The duet sung
by Misses Sims and Boyd was pimply
beautiful. Probably the best essay ever
read by any member of our Sunday
school was the one by Mrs. Florence
Cunningham whose subject was "The
three mays.” For depth of thought,
beautiful imagery and excellent diction,
her essay was far above the average
She is a model young woman and holds
tn important position in Zion Sunday
school. ' i
"The Sunday-school as an aid tp mis
sionary work” was the subject of a par
per read by H. G Williams, M. D, a
bright young physician just from college
whose valuable assistance In onr Sonday<
school will help to mould character and
ievelop the minds of the many young
men and women who are every Sunday
pining the school. After the beautiful
quartet, "Resurrection,” led by Mrs. B.
Simmons ably supported by Mrs. M. F.
Green and others, was sung, Elder Cart
er, in his happiest mood, said in his
closing remarks, that, while he loved all
denominations, he loved the Methodist
church the best, and after listening to
the grand efforts of the young men aad
women who had far exoeeded his highest,
hopes and most sanguine expectations on
this oooasion, It was a wonder to him
that every young man and woman did
not join the Zion church or 8 unday
Bohool, who were at all anxious to ele
vate themselves intellectually, morally
and religiously. Said he: "Zion churoh
is the only ehureh in the world that ad
mits deserving young women who have
morally and intellectually fitted them
selves, to a place in the highest oounoils
of the churoh.
Miss Minnie Jordan, our able and effle
lent organist, deserves special mention
because of her devotion and untiring en
ergy in selecting all the music and in
the preparation of the same for the Eas
ter service. The task was entirely too
muoh for her delicate constitution and
physioal strength; and had it not been
for our own MUs Mamie Gaskins, who
came quickly to the reeoue, just think
of it—what would we have done. Our
girls, like our general officers, never' fail
to respond promptly to Zion’s call. Let
us now form a club and take the Stab.
Such inducements as are now offered
long oonttnue.
It la highly gratifying to the members
of Talbot chapel to see our aged and
worthy brother, Samuel Sherman, highly
oomplimented for his interest ln%ur con
nection. The ditor of the StAb says of
him—"He sells aad pays for more Quar
terlies and Stabs than any nun in the
churoh.” The secret of our brother’s suo
oess lies in the fact that he regularly at
tends Sunday eohool, is a dutiful and act
ive olass leader, Attends every ohuroh
servloe and is a living, walking ohuroh
directory and of valuable assistance to
the pastor. When brother Sloan fails to
tell you the name, residence, number
and street of any one of the thousand
Zion members in Penaaoola, they have
surely died or gone to parts unknown.
Send us a photograph of the new brick
four story Varriok Memorial Building
that Is to be the headquarters of our Sun
day sohool Union end and our August
oolleotion for this building will be the
greatest effort of our lives.
The collection raised and forwarded to
Dr. B. R. Morris for the Sunday-school
Union was $15.00, about one-half the
amount that would have been raised had
the weather been favorable for the large
attendance agtiolpated.
BLACkT STOCK? (8. C.,) HEWS.
BY L W. BTEWABT.
Mr. Editor:—AUow see through Thb
Stab to say to those who have not* paid
his or her duty to Thb Stab, let him be
an Elder, Deacon or a preacher etc. It
is a shame for subscribers to take our
paper and read it for a year and then
not pay for it. In my mind the devil
doesn’t want any better workers of in
Iquity, and tho*e who wont pay up their
debts. David said that God took him from
a fearful pit and from the miry olay, and
upon a rook he set my feet establishing
my way, and then put a new song in my'
mouth over God to magnify. ’ Now
brothers if you are on thi i line oome up
and pay your dues to The Stab, for we
are the leaders of the world and ohurch
es, and when we get behind the whole
fix is out of the way.
In ray mind to-day I do not think that
there is a single preacher of the gospel
of God, but what can pay $1 50 to The
Stab a year ;]if he cannot he is no man
hardly, and take hardly away he is no
man at all. So brethren oome on like
men of war, and tell to the world that we
are men of God and are on the line of
duty etc.
Things are beginning to look bright
here at Bethel and Gethsemalle. We|are
looking for P. E, H. Blake, ere long
God bless our beloved Zion.
WILMINGTON (N. O) SPRAYS.
BY MBS. FLORENCE V. DANCY.
Mr. Editor:—The air is redolent with
the perfume of the magnolia blooms and
everywhere has the appearance, not of
spring, bat summer. Miss Maggie
Dozier died Monday, May 1, at 9 o’clock
p. m., at her late residence on 8th street,
anl was boried the following afternoon
from St. Stephens A M E churoh, Bev
E J Gregg officiating. Deeeased was
highly esteemed as a lady of lovely char
acter and many accomplishments. She
left Brtmshand and four children to
monrn her loss, the youngest an Infant
of four months old surviving its mother
only five days. Bey A MaoL Moore read
the burial services Sunday morning at
10 SO o’clock.-St Lukes Sunday- sohoo)
pionio was held Monday at Mineral
Springs, and was largely attended by a
happy throng of old and young.
Misses Maria H'll and Mamie Howe oon~
template a visit to New York during the
summer.-Seventy-two dollars was re
alize 1 April 29th, at St Lukes for the
benefit of a sister churoh, the new Zion
mission situated on 12th street, and
whleh Is rapidly approaching completion.
It bids fair to be a model and oomfortable
house of worship. Bev A MaoL Moore
was out of the city and Bev Blackledge,
pastor of the mission, delivered two ex
cellent sermons. Over three hundred
communed Sunday, May 6th. A rally
morning and night towards raising money
on the finishing of the ohuroh tower net
ted 962 69. At 3 p. m. Bev Moore ad
ministered the holy rite of baptism to
nine ohildren, and in the evening the
surpltoed choir of thirteen male voloes,
under the leadership of Prof Moses Jones
furnished the mode. Mr. William Moore
is organist and Miss Maggie Sampson as
sistant.-Miss Maggie Thurber has
been on the slok list, but is convalescing.
—-tMr Bichard Green, an old and highly
respected citizen of this place, died
Saturday evening, May 6, at his residence
on Oth street, after an illness of 8 months.
The funeral servioes were held at St Ste
phens Sunday afternoon at 4 o'olock, and
the interment made at Pine Forest Ceme
tery. Mrs Bessie Blaokweil was also bur
led tho same day from the ‘same ohuroh
——The congregation of St Lukes are
preparing to hold camp-meeting, begin
ning Friday, May 18th, at Piney Grove.
-Miss Marianna Thurber has returned
from teaching.-Bev D J Sanders,
President of Biddle University, paid a
visit to the “City by the Sea,” a few
days ago. •
RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT
AND CONDOLENCE.
Whkbxas, It has pleased our kind
Heavenly Father, who doeth all things
well, to remove from ns our beloved
friend, Mias Rlohardeen Hoover; and,
Whereas, We the members of Clinton
Chapel ▲. M. E. Zion Sunday-school and
more especially of the class with whioh
she was identified do deeply mourn the
loss of one so bright in intellect, so dear
of conception and so gentle in manners;
therefore, be it
Beeolved, That we bow in humble sub
mission to the will of a loving and al
wise Parent whose good pleasure it it
that His ohildren tarry from home but a
short while*
Resolved, That we extend to the be
reaved finally our most slnoere sympathy
in this, their hoar of sore trial, and we
oonsolingly direct them to Him who
alone ean soothe sorrow.
Resolved, That aoop/of these resolu
tions be sent to the bereaved family and
also to Tn Stab or Zion for publica
tion. ^"
Committee:
Lila M. Jones, Eugenia Taylor,
mu Jjnes, y, Simmons.
Charlotte, N. C.
RALEiGHT, (N. C.,) KEWS.
BY REV. E 8. W. fclMMOSS,
Mr. EditorFor the first time during
my administration at the capitol city of
the state as pastor, I attempt to let the
members Of this great Zion know as to
the condition of cur ohurch here.
At the conference held in Newbeme,
N. C, 1892 I was appointed as pastor cf
this oharge, known as the Raleigh sta
tion I entered my work at once and
am glad to say found some true Zionites
here. I vent to work endeavoring to
make or collect together a congregation
whlcL I succeeded la doing. In a few
Sundays I was unable to accommodate
the large crowd that came to hear me.
I at once being anxious to improve our
church building began to devise plans
for the same. 1 went to work by the
help of God and succeeded in raising
money enongh to take oil that old roof
which was a hip roof and a very leaky
one at that and put on a square top roof
Then the orowd that continued to come
was of such until 1 proposed to make the
church larger, benoe I set about the
same. We knocked out the rear end of
the old ohuroh and j ut on an addition
15x40, and this enabled us to seat about
250 or 300 more persons than we could
cefore. And yet we need more room.
During the year 1893 we were blessed
with two visits from that great and ven
erable prelate and pulpit orator, Bishop
J. W. Hood, who m 'ved Raleigh wit If
his masterly argument concerning JesuB
and his Christ And then we were hon
ored with a visit from that most eloquent
and distinguished soholar and embassa
dor of Christ, Bishop Pettey. These dis
tinguished divines contributed greatly
to our success. Hence, we took np at
the conference held in Greenville, 1893
the grandest report ever went from Ra
leigh, having also doubled our member
ship. At that conference we were reap
pointed to this charge; also th<s was
made the seat of the next annual confer
ence.
Weoame back fired to do more this
year than last; also determined to have
our church ready for the conference.
Hence, we commenced work at once on
the building. At this writing we have
our church almost ready for the confer
ence. We have arranged two aisles in
the ohnroh, put in new seats, and lamps
in the centre of the churoh, knocked the
old plastering over head down and have
oeiled it with fine ceiling, put in a fine
organ, and whitened the walls, and now
we have finished a steeple on the ohurch
and paid for it and the bell ia up in it.
We have just closed a gracious revival
in whloh 13 souls were happily converted
and a great many have joined our churoh -
We are glad to say that Zton is no longer
the rear-most church of this city, but is
among those of the front rank. When
yon oome to Raleigh you have not got to
hunt around trying to find our churoh—
see yonder steeple in the east will guide
you.
We are preparing for a grand time
during the conference and every minis
ter shall have a comfortable home.
N0TE3 ON THE SABBATH
SCHOOL LESSON.
BY REV. R. R. MORRIS, D. D., EDITOR
S. S. LITERATURE.
THE PASSOVER INSTITUTED.
June 3, ’94. Exodus xil:l-14.
Home Readings —M. Exod. 12. l-14.Tu
Exod. 12 21 28. W. Exod. 12. 29-36. Th.
Exod 18. 8-10. F. Psalm 106. 20 88. 8.
Luke22. 7-16. 8.1 Peter. 1. 17-25.
Gdden Text:—Christ our passover is
saorifloed for us. (1 Cor. 5, 7 )
LESSON HYMN. 7.
At the Lamb's high feast we sing
Praise to our victorious King,
Who hath washed us in the tide
Flowing from his preoiousside;
Where the paschal b’ood is poured,
Death's dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel's host triumphant go
Through the wave that drowns the foe.
Mighty Vlotim from the sky I
Hell's fierce powers beneath thee lie;
Thou hast 001 qu~Ted la the fight,
Thou asst brought us life and light
Time.—The month Ablb or Nisan
(March and April). B. 0. 1491.
Place,—Egypt
Introductory—The last night in Egypt
was erne of strange set vices. Under a
divine command, each family has pro
vided Itself with a lamb for the sacrifice.
Just as the orb of day was hiding him
self, the head of each family slays the
innooent victim. A bunch of hyssop la
dropped Into the blood of the lamb, and
sprinkled upon the front of the house
and each side of the door. All are tor*
main within the house until the morning.
For the angel of death ill smite all who
are unprotected. The roaited body of
the lamb, perfect and whole, with thin
cakes of unleavaned bread and bitter
herbs is eaten with j jy. At night a wail
is heard on the account of death in every
Egyptian houso.
It rises trom the palace of Pharoah
whose son the heir of two kingdoms lies
in the arms of the destroyer.
Christ our passover was the lamb slain
for us, wholly, without blemish, that we
might be delivered from sin, death and
the grave. This ordinance should be
truly cbjorved by every follower of
Christ, in memory of him who died for
the world. The blood of Christ upon
our hearts is the sign that we have com
plied with the requireme uts of the gospel.
The sign of recognitioa is a badge of dis
tinction, a confirmation of a bond of
union with Christ and his church, a pass
port into the celestial city, where death
is uuknown. This paseover is not only
to be observed by the minister but by the
church of Christ as children of one fami
ly receiving sympathy, encouragment, In
struction and guidance from the one
source of all good.
Explanatory.
1-2. And the Lord spake to Moses and
Aaron—immediately a'ter the commis
sion of deliverance had been given Moses
—just before the last announcement to
Pharoah. “In the land of Egypt.”—The
place of bondage, suffering and trial of
the children of Israel, which was import
ant as it was to be a new era in the his
tory of' Israel. “The beginning of
months.” The beginning of th« Jewish
year corresponding with the last half of
March and the first half of Apiil.
3-4. “Speak ye unto all the congrega
tion,” through the elders, the following
directions to observo, on a certain day
four days before the feast. “A lamb ac
cording to the house of their fathers,”
aoeotding to the natural distribution of
the people into families. If there
are not enough persons in the family to
eat a whole lamb let him join in with his
neighbor. Ten was the smallest number
which constituted the paschal family.
5. Your lamb. Particularly described
perfect without any defects a representa
tion of Christ innocent, guilless, a sacri
fice for the sin of the world, God’s spot
less Son.
, 6. Ye shall keep it up. The lamb was
kept up four days before it was slain, as
Jesus «ur lamb was foreordained before
the foundation of the world, but was
manifested in these last times for you,
(l Peter 1:20.) Bp. Vincent.
“In the evening.” Literally between
the evenings from the time the sun be
gins to deoline to that of its full setting
between 3 and 0 o’clock,—Ed.
“Take the blood.” The blood is the
life and typifies the beloved of Christ,
who gave his life for ns. Each doorway
was made an altar, the lintel and the side
posts of which were to be sprinkled with
blood from a bunch of hyssop and thus
was eaoh person who entered consecrated.
The blood was not dropped upon the
threshold less it should be trodden un
der foot.—Newhall.
8. And they shall eat the flesh. Jthe
lamb of .the first passover was intended
not only to save the Israelites by its
sprinkled blood, but also to give them
strength for ttelr journey by its flesh,
which they ate. So the atonement of
Christ has for us a double object—to re
deem us from death and to strengthen
and refresh our souls in the new life of
faith.
9. Eat not if it is raw—because it
would be unfit for use. Nor sodden. If
boiled the parts would be separated.
Boast with. fire. The lamb was to be fas
tened to the spit as the lamb of God was
nailed to the oross.
10-11. “Let nothing of it remain.’ *
The whole of the lamb must be con
sumed and if the entire body was too
mnohto eat a provision was made that it
should be burned. “With your loins
girded.” The usual custom was to sit
or reoline but now the order was to stand
with their shoes on, ready to march on
their way East in haste so that at the
end of the feast that they inetantly^might
be ready to march. It is the Lord’s pass
over.
12. For 1 will pass. God tolls what he
shall do himself, the awful judgement
he «h*ii execute. “This night,” death
in all the land of Egypt from the first
born of Pharoah that sat on his throne
unto the first born of the captive that
was in the dungeon, and all the first barn
of oattle. I am the Lord, the.maker and
ruler of all things.
13. The blood shall be. Boar ssts, It
is the blood of separation. It is the blood
of protection, of deliverance, the blood
of doom.
14. A memorial, a continual feast to
help them to remember God’s mercy.
We should never forget the debt of love
we owe to God for our salvation.
Hard on the Congressmen.
Washington Post:
It is a quite unusual thing for a crank
to speak from the gallery of the House*