Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1890-10-20
or. TopD's SERMON.
A Powerful DissOsrss On the -Four Stages
ia The Journey Of Life.


Rev. Jacob Todd, D. D., pastor Of
Grace M. e Church, who returned home
from Europe Friday, preached in his
church yesterday morning. he WAS
looking very well and his voice was
strong and eloquent.
large congregation was present TO
greet it's beloved pastor The recently
organized choir under H. A. BrAdneld' 8
leadership assisted materially in the ex-
erclses. Great interest was manifested As
DR.. Todd walked to the pulpit TO begin
his sermon. for she people were wonder
log II any noticeable change had take n
place in bis slOquonce or his forsi BE
msRner of explaining Bible truths. Ms
alluded to tho success OF the oPerAt ems
on his eyes and said that he fslt how
great was the change from the tiAs as
had lost his sight to the present whsn
he could see the familiar fnoss Hls eye.
sight il not as good as II onee was, but
1t 10 much better than he ever expected
It would DO.
Eany thought that his sermon was the
most impressive he had ever preached
His text was from Acts xvii, 25;
Wherefore. sirs. be OF good cheer, for
believe God, that It shall be even as IL
was told me These words were uttered
by Paul on his memorable journey to-
wards Rome, when ID seemed that the
ship on which he was prisoner would
sink. DR.. Todd introduced the sermon
by saying that the subject Was Of deep
interest to him because Of his expert
enees Of the last ten days. They we're
not unlike those OF Paul on the kediter-
ranean sea
Il is important to read this verse cor
rectly and knowingly. To a careful
reader - would show dootrinal truths,
and Il Ia this under-ourFent OF thought
that is all important. Most Bible stories
beside being records of facts, are ale
gories. He compared Paurs journey to
the voyage Of life, and divided both into
four parts. Pauls journey from CesareA
to Myra was the first step and cores
ponded TO the childhood Of persons This
part Of the apostles journey was under
authority OF the centurion. Children
are ander their parents guidance sud do
little thinking for themselves. The sec
oni step was the sailing from Ayra to
Fair HaTen, which was compared to
youth. The interests Of everyone
on the ship were consulted. The youth
has the advice Of older persons and Is
given q good START He dreams that life
Is ali Sunshine, but soon finds out his
mistake. From Fair Haven the ship
sails toward Malta just as in the voyage
Of life the boy or girl attalns manhood
or womGnhood. Then the trials began
and the ship was tossed about until it
was wrecked. Paul had counselsd
against its leaving port, but the greater
number was for continuance. The storms
and conflicts Sf life are hard Cd man, but
he has lefs Fair Haven and cannot re-
turn AL but religion is wrecked, and
then comes the necessity to show whet heI
he will determine to listen to the volcs
Of religion.
After the boat was wrecked and those
on board were saved, came the journey tC
the Judgment bar. Paul had to 60 ia
Rome His companions each had TO 20
to explain the delay. Each must answer.
Soon the old age Of life. the nan OF
woman must approach the bar OF judg.
msnt and must there make the state
ment OF the journey OF life. The speaker
spoke upon tbs respect children pay
religion, the coldness youths and men
show; and often the confidence old meu
have in its teachings. He explained fully
the four stages and said that II did moi
make any difference whether a mAn wac
a millionaire or poor. both went together
crossing the river alike. We are saved,
therefore. through Gods grace and not
through any merit Of our own. The
text teaches faith In God and the neees-
sity OF following good adyics at once.