Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-05-29

MS S. 5. of the lsl. Presbyterian churcl
liopkinsvillc, Ky. May 10, 'S5, II A. NJ. Act
MAO,
DEAR FRIENDS: Could you z,
back with me to the earlier scenes il
my lie and see me first, as the littl
prattler with stick horse and dog
then after a time as barefOo
boy with marble and kit,
or sitting in the schoo
room doing over those difficult ant
puzzling lessons TO every beginner
which are contained in Webster
spelling book and Goodrich's frs
reader, wondering at the strange ant
at that time unmcaning language o
those farther advanced, as they read
lily solved the elementary problem
contained in Coleman's Menta
Arithmetic.
After time could you have hearC
me slowly and imperlectly giving
the different parts Of speech, as alst
the construction of sentences ofmoth
er tongue, as laid down and arrang
ed in Buffers English Grammar
Then again witness my almost hope
less attempts to find and point on
on the map the various cities, towns
rivers and mountains as noted il
Mitchclls Geography. Then see III!
rude and irregular scribbling abov,
and below the line as | vaimly at
tempt to initiate the copy written il
the copy book, which was finally al
most obscured by blots, marks anc
finger prints.
Could you thus have followed m
on through the various stages q
training and preparation in earl
childhood and youth, from one plan
to another until had reached, as
then thought, almost the goal Of m.
ambition, my first entrance int
College.
Could you have witnessed the dis
pelling Of my fanciful visions, tn
ruthless overthrow of the innunera
bic air-caslles, that | had built wit
SO much care and precision, durini
the long nights Of hard and conIinu
ous toll over what at times proved 4
be duh and unimtcresling text books
together with the failures aud imper
feet recitations in the classroom
when | had hoped and expected {
go through without making a sh
gle mistake.
Could you have observed at sue
times my discouragements and lo'
spirits, with the long and lionel
walks as | went alone to some rt
tired spot TO grieve over my disal
pointmcnts. Then see me as II
ceived fresh encouragement from I'll
only Being, (who, at all times
found TO be the true friend of tli
dispirited,) again entering into III
difficult studies and duties with II
ncwod determination and hopes ,
iinal success.
Could you have followed II
through all these trying scenes All
also been with me in my hours ,
happiness and rejoicing when
thought | had been successful an
had acqu,t ed myself with a ccrtai
degree of credit at least
Thus on up through the varyir
scenes of my college course until
length, the last day of my life as
college student arrived, the last e!
animation passed, the last trying o
deal gone through, the last speeC
as college boy delivered on the di
of graduation, the final comgratul
tions exchanged, the final farewell
given TO one another, as our class Sc
!. arated to 90 into the different par
of the world TO engage in the ditlc
ent pursuits and professions of lii
many of us, sad the thought! aft
these years of close and constant j
timacy, never again to meet this sic
of the bar of God.
r Could you have been present as
entered upon my theological cour'
preparing (though knew it noD
preach the glad news of salvation, {
a time at least, in this church
;, IIopkinsvile.
Could you have noted the trii
and hardships incident TO a the
- logue's life during the years spent
. the Seminary, together with all L
previous preparatory stages name
YOU would be able the better to a
= preciaie my feelings to-day as
stand before you, ready to enter u
on my work in this field.
Now my friends, is not my CO
similar in some respects to that
the Apostle Peter, who in the wor
of the text had presented himself
the first time to preach his first 5,
mon to the Gcntiles? This was 1
the first time he had preached,
= that memorable and powerful $
mon on the day of Pcntecost h
proceeded it as also many 9th
that he had preached TO the jew
people. But it seems that all TIN
were but preparatory and introdI
} tory to the first sermon to the G,
tiles that should formally launch Ii
upon his life's work, the installati
$50 TO speak, as the preacher or a
- bassador to the Romans or Cent?
Now note the comparison Of
, own case with his.
" While this is my first sermon
minister here, it is not the first ii
have tried to preach elsewh
since | entered the ministry as
several sermons already deliver
testify.
Again note: Peter did not go
- the Roman Centurian or the Cent
" until he was called or sent for, as
. so directed by God to 90 to that ii,
Neither did | come to you III
you sent for me and | had laid
g, matter before God, the Great Ii
of the church.
Again, the Centurian's family
gagged in earnest prayer asking
- Lord to send them minister.
believe you, as one family, Qor I
we should and must regard
'R church, earnestly presented your
" tition to the same Lord that the
man Centurian prayed to, that
IA. would send you minister.
now as Peter went in answer to pl
er and by the guidance of the Ma
- so do | trust and hope that | h
come in answer to your prayers
guided by the unerring wisdom
the same Master.
Dor..a ~ 49,, l,,1 enan tl,N ,ttnr.