Alexandria Gazette

LOCAL ITEMS.

THE ST. ANDREW'S ANNUAL SERMON. LAST NIGHT.—The 2d Presbyterian church was well filled, last evening, upon the occasion of the Annual Sermon before the St. Andrew's Society of this city. Rev. Jas. T. Leftwich, pastor of the church occupied the pulpit on the occasion, and after the reading of the scriptures, prayer and a hymn, delivered an exceeding eloquent and impressive sermon. He selected his text from Isaiah, X Chapter 45th verse—'For even the son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.' He opened with the declaration that Christianity was a worship of God, and a service to man, and said he proposed to consider it under its second aspect, that of a ministry to man. The christian life under this aspect was a Noble Life, in its aim—man's highest well being; in its method—self-sacrifice, and in its nature—disinterested love. The model lives in history were those which had been ministers to mankind. That life was, also, the Happy Life. Selfishness was linked with misery, whilst Benevolence was allied to happiness. These positions he illustrated at length and with fine effect.

It is to be the Triumphant Life. All the triumphs of Church Militant were the triumphs of charity, even a cup of cold water given in the name of its founder was not without its reward. The banner on which it became triumphant would be inscribed 'we came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.'

At the conclusion of the discourse the usual collection for the poor of the city was taken up; and the congregation was dismissed with the Benediction.