Smyrna times., 1885-03-11
The Presiding Elder,a ser,,no,

The Presiding Elders Sermon.
A large congregation gathered at
the M. E. Church last Sunday evening,
to hear Rev, DR.. Caldwell, who had
been announced for the occasion. The
discourse of some fifty-fve minutes
duration held the close attention of
the audience and was enjoyed as an
able and conclusive sketch of scrip-
tural history and prophecy. Skirting,
as he remarked, the mountain tops
of history" it placed their cleaning
peaks in perfect and harmonious
range through period of thirty-seven
centuries. The subject of the sermon
was " The answer to a fathers praverD
the prayer of Abraham for his son
IshmaeI, also the son of Hagar. the
bondwoman--from the eighteenth
verse Of the seventeenth chapter of
Genesis, g." And Abraham said unto
God, Oh, that Ishmael might live be-
fore thee p supplication that his son
might be God-fearing man and live to
accomplish in his life the will of God
And there was the promise in the
prophecy of his birth" He shall dwell
III the presence of all his brethren -
The prophecy has been fulfilled. The
posterlty of Ishmael has been promi-
nent among all the nations of the earth
and is still felt as a powerful factor in
the affairs of Eastern lands. Arabia =
land comprising Il million square miles.
peopied by the descendants of this
man OF the desert. The birthplace of
many branches of science; here origi-
mated the figures we use in computa-
tlon here were discovered manv lines
OF the science Of astronomy; algebra.
'he acute and comprehensive system Of
mathematical calculation, was invented
there; the intellectual influence of this
people has been felt by all cotemporarv
nations, and thus has Ishmael dwelt in
the presence Of his brethren. This
people has welded constant and ire
siSIiOle power in the formation of the
historical drama of the nations. in the
progress of civilization, the establish
ment OF territorial boundaries. the con-
duct and results Of the great conflicts
OF the world. Ishmael is a wild man g.
his hand is against every man and
every mans hand against him" in the
iuiiIllment Of prophecy. He is brave
and indomitable in battle, marching
ana lighting with a terrible persistence.
enduring with II heroism Of the greatest
Valor. In bearing his banner into the
conflict, if his hand is struck off bv the
enemy'S sword he will grasp the staff
with the other, if that also is severed
he clasps the banner with his bleeding
stumps, and marches on undaunted.
Skeptlcal writers Of profane history. in
their very records, protesting a disbe-
Iel IN the Scriptures, are showing the
constant development and fulflment of
the inspired prophecy. In the histor-
les OF nations they have demonstrated
the performance of the promise. she
shall dwell in the presence of all his
brethren" At the present time Eng
lands troublesome war in the Soudan
Is showing that Ishmael is no triaino
enemy, and Great Britain, with her
might Of armies and pride of power
cannot conquer Ishmael. Behold the
influence of a fathers prayer. The
prayer Of father for a son is mighty
and in the answer there NAV be
mighty results. Let the prayers of
fathers 90 up for their sons. We have
only space to give an idea of this schol-
arly and entertaining discourse, and its
mastery application.