The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-06-20
Epvorth Marches On.
A GREAT SERMON ON COURAGE.

GREAT SERMON ON COURAGE.
A competent and mastery sermon
at crucial juncture in the career OF
Epworth M. Il. Church was preached
by Rev. John Lanahan, d. D., Of Baltl-
more. Md, to O congregation filling
the Tenth and Lombard street tent, on
forenoon, on the subject OF
Courage" the story of David and
Goliath being the text. All the points
OF the scrlptural narrative were used
as a framework, on which was con-
strueted timely Christian advice and
instruction, practically applicable to
the present status and progressive
workings of the church. He was O
man sent OF God to deliver the divine
message exactly requisite TO Chris
tian church at the precise hour of its
greatest need therefor. He was intent-
ly and eagerly listened to throughout.
Dr.. Lanahan appears to be about IS
years Of age, and his oratory is adj
mirably efficient and, with his literary
diction, every way beautiful, finished,
executive and powerful. He has been
u christian 54 years. His hair is gray.
His helghth is 5 feet inches, and his
weight 100 pounds he has ringing
duct is that of thoroughgoing and
ripe scholarship. He was felicitous
in aggregating the most telling event
or dictum in the life OF many u great
hero and nation to prove his PROPOSE
tons which made his discourse recher-
che and vigorous.
The Doctor gave a merited and
crushing blow to that ubiquitous mi
lnority of every Christian church that
will neither work itself for Christ nor
let any other person work II it were
possible to block the way OF Him who
shall SEQ of the travail of His soul
and DO satisfied" God will soon find
u way for the earnest faithful and
work.
ON COURAGE.
There Is no reason for lauding physi-
cal courage. Its splendid exploits
command the admiration OF the right
and freedom thus purchased. The
church is not unmlndful. Far greater
however is religious courage, indie.
pendent OF material power, unmoved
by the glow OF blood and ambition and
INSPIRED by no promise from the
world.
/ 1t is often the sublimity of bravery
in garb SO modest as to be- compare
lively unnoted on earth though 1t has
its eternal reward in heaven. Or it
may lie unseen and unknown until its
benefits lift it into right and compel
the administration of men. The great
Things of the Worlds history have
grown out of this spiritual courage.
The greatness of nations has grown
out OF the graves of men who have
lived and died for faith ind principle
men who were willing to live and die
unknown and unsung, that they might
be true to principle.
/ There is fundamental courage in
Fear not them that can kill tho body
only. but fear God ''who is able to do
stroy both soul and body In he'll" The
motto OF religion is: Absent from
the body and present with the Lord"
To live is Christ. TO die is gain"
Religious courage is often imper-
iceptably developed. 1t is frequently
the development of a moment.
I The speaker gave humorous illus.
,trations by the great events Of history
and from the lives of Christian heroes.
He cited the humble origin of many
OF the worlds greatest men in history.
lie Included Napoleon whose iron
jaws went over Europe crushing the
bones Of empires.
Take care how you look down on
that young worker In the church. he
Ier OF influence. Be cautious how you
measure men by their social life. Re-
liglous courage Is too often diseour.
aged by those who should 10 the first
to encourage it. Bat undismayed by
such encouragement it will In due
ti;np havo opportunity for exercise.
such is never long withheld in the
Providence Of God. Sometimes more
courage is needed in waiting than in
acting.
4 The Bible is picture gallery. hung
around with examples of courage
child of piety, rocked in tho cradle OF
faith. Courage is sometimes like a
thunder peal in a whisper.
Like Martin Luther with a divine
message written on his church doul
Eecause the common people would
read II and believe it, you get tho com
mon people with you and you will
soon realize victory in regard to tie
has said; Tho Lord loves the common
people and that is why he has made &C
many OF thein.p A spiritual eHlpir,
on earth results from such courage ms
that of Luther and Wesley whereby
millions of people can read their ii
tie to mansions in the sky"
/ WHAT IS couRAGE2
/ As TO what courage is, | can more
4 easily tell what 1t is not. 1t Ia neither
buster, bfagadocio. parade or noise
, IL is very subtle 1t exists unconsci
= olsly. 1t is like The ring that is l
: the teil. You do not know it unit
you strike.
The highest courage was shown by
9 poor little boy who had to weIl
patched trousers tp school and Tic
/. other boys called him big patch
one day he turned on them eloquent.
iy saying: I'm not ashamed OF thu
patches on my CLOTHES because my
, mother put them there, and I'm moi
ashamed OF anything my mothoi
doeS.n
Other examples of courage were Civ
EN- including the mother who gave
her two SONS to the mission field.
The above is only In part aud pur
port of the ideas Dr. Ianallan elo-
lqncntly and powerfully enforced witt
an aggregation OF history both sacred
and nrofane. Rev. Isaac Jewell, pas
tor very successfully reinforced Ii by
. a short speech. He was grateful fol
: such good help TO inspire Christian
/ courage and work at time greatly
needed.
He remarked that at 8 o'clock Tues.
,, day evening, July Eth, the Young
people of the church would give az
excursion from King street wharf
on the steamer Ghristiana will
tickets at 30 cents eacn TO aid the
building fund.
A new member was secured by GER
tliicate. The choir sang we'll.