Posted by Larie Tedesco on 28 NOV 2008 9:15:30
Mr. Russo Ordained
to the Presbyterian Ministry
church, corner of Felicity and Franklin streets, Rev. Ezekiel Forman, pastor,
service of more than ordinary interesThe Daily Picayune
Page 6
an Italian citizen, who some time since abjured the faith of his fathers to
become a convert to and worker in the Presbyterian religion, and who gathered
together a score of his compatriots and formed a mission in the Italian language,
which was attached to the Franklin Street church, was last night ordained an
evangelist.
presbytery.
Drs. Palmer, Nall, Forman, Mallard, Watlron? and Elder Kelly. Church representatives:
Biloxi, Wm. Henderson; Prytania church, John E. Rodd; Canal Street church, John
L. Many; Bercan, John A. S. Perkins; Italian church, Elder Peter Rizzo; Carrollton,
Elder Brothers.
listened to the trial sermon of Mr. Russo. He choose for his text the eleventh
chapter of Romans, and amplified on the exposition that justification was the
very end for which man was made. Justification comes by faith through the righteousness
of the Lord Jesus Christ. Mr. Russo said that when he belonged to the "other
church" he did not know how to reach God, but when he begain to read the bible
he found his way. He found grace, and knew that grace and peace of mind were
with God.
trial of Mr. Russo, and that he be ordained in accordance with the accepted
ritual of the Presbyterian Churh.
and after he had answered the questions he knelt and the pastors placed their
right hands on his head and Dr. Forman utterd the ordination prayer. When he
arose as Rev. Russo each pastor gave him the right hand of fellowship.
Rev. B. M. Palmer delivered the charge to the newly ordained minister and
acquitted himself of that austere duty with that quiet and telling eloquence
that has made his name the synonym of pulpit excellence throughout the southern
states. Dr. Palmer's address closed the services.
will take charge of the Italian mission, attached at present to the Franklin
Street Church. He has twenty-four or twenty-five communicants, and it is a
decided novelty to note the existence of a Presbyterian congregation holding
services in Italian.