The New York herald., 1876-03-20
CHURCH OF THE HOLY APOSTLES


THE RACE NOT ALWAYS TO THE SWIFT NOR
THE BATTLE TO THE sTRoNG-sERMoN BY
REV. L. BRADY DAcKUs.
AT the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Holy
Apostles corner Of Ninth avenue and Twenty-cighth
street. yesterday morning, the rector elect, Rev. E.
Brady Backus, formally entered upon his work in the
parish and occupied the pulpit Tho text was taken
from the ninth chapter OF Ecclesastes eleventh
versc-"The race is not to the swift nor the battle
TO the strong" These words, said the preacher be-
fore a truth clearly contrary the worlds opinion
In the wisdom of men the is to the swift and tho
battle to the strong. Looking here and there about
us, in business in private and in public life, we see
acting largely upon this principle the of
the text The desire OF rising, advancing, achieving
common, and one that chiefly looks TO physical forces
and human agencies for The young man
spends years in fitting himself to be swift runner
in the race Of life in some elegant pursuit in
trade or profession. And whyp Because he would
strip all competitors and the garland OF wealth
and OF fame for himself because, like the Grecan
athlete, he is confident that the the swift
Many of the worlds statesmen, its martial heroes
also, have not undercslmated the material forces
within thor reach. They have even sought TO iniu
and control them 10 advance their ends and
aims. Does IL not seem strange then, that text
aflrms that TO bc truth which is opposed largely
10 our own observation, 10 the wider range OF tho
worlds hlstoryY AT first thought it would appear
In the Hush OF youth in the pride of temporal pros
pery, IL is, indeed, dllnCut matter iOr Change
our views III regard 10 that principle upon which
have so long acted Yet timo and age often produce
this very result Where scli-aggrandi2cmcnt has been
aim, where our hopes have boen placed upon the
riches pleasures and applause OF this world there has
AT last come to many, perhaps IN failure and dlsap
pontment the growing conviction that possibly after
all the Is not to the 'swift the
battle 20 the strong" But upon the
authority of the Word OF God we may surely believe
that our text establishes for a truth which holds
good at every period OF life and under all crcum-
stances-yes, and through eternity Although human
wisdom may Judge differently this wisdom 10y nature
contrary TO many other truths OF Gods words.
Yet herein Is revealed 10 the fact tnat point of
the and most permanent that which
puro, noble ana SPIRITUAL in that which outlives the
lapse of time, 'hc is not always the swift
the battle 70 the strong" The preacher said the
words thctext not always to be taken literally
that honest cndcavor and work in the of
Christ necessary to complete success The apostle
/ said ~ do all things through CHRIST which
strcngthcneth me- Likewise We also, having gained
the thing nccdul, the faith and fear OF God
through Saviour cruc1ed, having found the love Of
Jesus tender and watchiul and iorgying, having
heard and needed the voice OF the Holy Spirit
! pleading with spirits, who shall say,
| then that shall not be swift the
pursuit OF good, and strong in the battle with evil
Though friends iorsake us, though we be stripped OF
all earthly possessions, yet with Gods help VIC
shall be than conqucrors; VIC shall fight the good
fight; shall attain unto the prize of our hgh calling
IN Christ Jesus. Finally, shall need to be patient
and praycriuL We may and water, but 1t Is God
that gives the Increase. We can do nothing without
Him. As He is patient toward us, why should we
despair If His chariot wheels tarry little, f His IA
voring hand seems withheld for time. Surely, as Hc
promised. after have suffered while lie Will make
us perfcct-cslablish, strengthen, settle To His
throne also shall often need to hasten, 10 lay be-
fore Him these our common anxietics and regards,
praying tho Lord or the harvest TO grant unto us an
increase grace, bear the burden and heat of tho
day. to multiply, perfect and gather into His spiritual
garner the fruits Oi our labor.