BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF EDWARD

THOMAS WILLIAMS.

Among the younger men who have won a recognized position in the ministry of the Disciples, it would be hard to find one more richly gifted than Edward Thomas Williams. He was born at Columbus, O., on October 17, 1854. Both his father, William Williams, and his mother, D. L. Hughes, were born in Wales, though both were brought to the States in early childhood. In 1864 the family removed to a farm in Licking County, Ohio, about twenty miles east of Columbus. Here, on February 28, 1866, the subject of this sketch was immersed, being little more than eleven years old at the time. The same year the family returned to Columbus, where they still remain.

Mr. Williams was graduated from Columbus High School in June, 1872, taking first honors. He entered Bethany College in September of the same year, and graduated in June, 1875, sharing the first honors, and delivering the Latin Salutatory. In August, 1875, he entered upon the duties of minister of the church at Springfield, Ills., where he remained until March, 1877, when, owing to broken health, he resigned. In May, 1877, he was invited to Denver, Col., to complete the unexpired term of Mr. McCollough, the former minister of the church. Subsequently he was regularly employed by the church, but was again compelled by impaired health to resign, which he did in January, 1878. The summer following he supplied the pulpit of his friend, Henry Schell Lobingier, at Morrisania, New York City, and while there was called to the charge of the church in Brooklyn, N. Y., in October, 1878. He remained in Brooklyn nearly three years, resigning in August, 1881. In September, 1881, he was installed as pastor of the Central Christian Church at Cincinnati, O., where he still remains.

Wherever he has been his influence for good remains. In Springfield, in Denver, in Morrisania, in Brooklyn, his memory is fragrant of a most loving and spiritual ministry, while in Cincinnati he is strengthened by the abiding confidence of the church, and is gladdened by the growing prosperity of his work.

Endowed with a highly nervous organization, his manner is at once sympathetic and attractive. Possessed of exceptional social qual

ities, which render him so welcome in the home, he has the happy blending of dignity with grace, so admirable in his calling. Although his mind is singularly clear, and not at all lacking in logical power, yet one is most impressed, in listening to him, with the persuasive beauty of his style. His sermons are not only models of arrangement, but abound in illustrations, and while the framework is knit together by argument, they appeal to the very highest moral and æsthetic sense. He is a careful and diligent reader, and his mind is richly nourished with the best culture of the time. His pen has acquired the true literary art, and it is a matter of great regret that, in the ceaseless round of other duties, he is allowed so little opportunity for the culti vation of these congenial tastes.

In personal appearance Mr. Williams is of medium height, slender in form, with light hair and the darkest of eyes in striking contrast. He was married on August 12, 1884, at Lexington, Ky., to Miss Carrie D. Loos, daughter of President Loos, of Kentucky University. His wife is an accomplished lady, whose many graces of mind and heart help and cheer her husband in his laborious ministry. A son and heir now is sun and air for the refreshing of their hearts.

THE FAITH OF MOSES; OR, DUTY RATHER

THAN PLEASURE.

A SERMON.

"By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to be evi! entreated with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.”— Heb. xi. 24, 25.

In the nineteenth verse of the preceding chapter, the author of this remarkable epistle begins the stirring exhortation which forms the conclusion of his treatise and the practical application of his argument. He has shown the superiority of the Christian priesthood, sacrifice and sanctuary, to those of Judaism. He has demonstrated the sufficiency of the atonement made through the blood of Jesus, an offering which will need no repetition, which has been made "once for all," in which was shed the blood of the "new covenant," that covenant in which God gives us assurance of His surpassing love-the love that will "cover a multitude of sins," that will forgive and forever forget all our transgressions.

Having set this forth with great clearness and power, he urges those who have entered into this "bloodcovenant," and thereby shown their faith in God, their trust in the sacrifice of Christ, to be true to the terms of the covenant; to continue the life of trust there begun; to show that perfect confidence in the goodness and power of God which manifests itself in entire devotion to His service, in a life of love and good works;