Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-08-04
AN INTERESTING pHEAcHEn.

AN INTERESTING PREACHER.
The Pulpit of Calvary Baptist Church
Occupied by Rev. Mr.Vann of North
Carolina, an Old Friend of the Pas.
tors.
One of the most interesting of preachers
that has come temporarily to New Haven
for many day is Rev. Mr. Vann, from
North Carolina, the armless preacher, who
is supplying the pulpit of Rev. Mr.. Poteat
for few Sundays during the vacation pc
Rod Mr. Vann had the misfortune in early
life to lose both his arms in a cotton gin,
but notwithstanding this disability, which
would have discouraged most men from
any very vigorous attempts toward devel-
opment, he has become preacher unto
men, of rare ability and peculiarly deli
icate sympathy. His sermon yesterday
morning was listened to with deep interest
by large congregation for midsummer.
The text was taken from Romans, chapter
x, 18th verse: ''For Christ is the end of the
law for righteousness to everyone that be-
ieveth."
His words in brief are as follows:
1t is difficulty in coming before stran-
gers to know just what are their needs, SO
it is difficult in making the selection of a
text. The one chosen ought, however, to
give help to all who are seeking Christ.
1t is the answer to that old inquiry, How,
then, shall we find the LAVE" Christ is the
end of law for righteousness to them who
believe him. We are too free, 1 think
sometimes, in our attempts to answer the
big questions which God ho given. Men
are not erred in their Interpretation of the
law of Christ. In fact, I may say that
law in certain sense is the
be the trangression of law. If there were
no law there could be no. SIM
But law reveals the existence of sin just as
the acids of the chemist detects hidden
particles of gold The mere fact of re-
straint arouses the instructive opposition
of our natures. There is that animal, the
mule, of which you, perhaps, do not have
SO much knowledge as myself, being
brought up on a farm. It is from its
well known peculiarities that we call Ger
tain traits of character mulish. But you
see no indications of this in the mule that
has always been treated with gentleness,
however much it might have been gifted
naturally with obstinate qualities. This
reminds me of an incident connected with
my college days. There was up in the
tower bell, an old CLANCY, sharp-toned
bell, which the students in freak began
to ring nights, which was against the rule.
Efforts were made on the part of the
faculty for over a week to capture the Of
tenders, but to no avail Finally the old
gray haired president said, 'Iet me try.
1 think, perhaps, I know Of a way that
will prove effectual." So the next morn
ing at prayers he announced to the as
sembled students: Gentlemen, if you
E. l. IL
are at perfect liberty to do so. It may be
little annoying to some of us who are ner-
vous and irritable and to a few around the
town who are ill; but, nevertheless, you
are at perfect liberty to ring away at your
will"
Well, the next night the boys rang that
bell all night long, but never any attempt
was made to stop them. The night after
the old bell changed away for a few hours,
and so for the third night But the fourth
night it was as still as a clam, and has been
ever since, except when rung for legiti-
mate purpose. And why was this 500 Be-
cause there no longer existed any law
against bell ringing.
The heaven sent liberty; the divine spirit
of resistance sent our forefathers out to
fight for independence So it is with God
in his methods of dealing with U.S. His
service does not run by machinery. Wor-
ship of him is but the overflow of a human
soul. Law never gives helping hand to
the man who is struggling under
his load of sin and sorrow It
only frowns and points out the penalty
awaiting the act of transgression. Help is
given only by Jesus Christ for the viola
ton of law; he who suffered death for us
and is now with the father interceding for
struggling humanity. Law is not meant
for good people. If you could find a peo-
pie who never committed any act of sin
then you would find no law. They would
need none. The ideal state is reached
when we are over and beyond law
Among the most foolish of prayers
that l ever uttered was "Oh,
Lord, only ask for mercy"
And how many of us have uttered the
same thoughtl We should rather stand
up and say "Ah, God, cfafm the redemp-
ton you have granted by means of this
very law which exists Mercy is not
something opposite to justice. God to
say men keep on SHINING after they have
accepted Christ. Do YOU remember the
scripture, eye are married unto Christ ~
In spite of your shortcomings you are
going to win heaven if You will, because
Tao1o hoe ooor,na1 tho Iohf