Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-09-11
FAREWELL SERMON.
DIVINE PROVIDENCE AND Tue AFFAIRS OF
MEN,"
Was the Subject Of DR.. ]. A. Fullsrtcn's
Last Discourse at Zane Street, n. !.
Church-An Eloquent and
Learned Plea.

BOOQ slLSu COuBICkoHOh "oS
Zane Street church yesterday morning
to hear their pastor preach his last SER
mon of this conference year. Rev. DR..
Fullerton had announced that he would
preach about 1.-THE History OF the
Year" but he changed his original in
tention and mentioned the incidents OF
the past year but briefly. On this line
he publicly thanked the newspaper men
OF Wheeling for their courteous treat
ment and other friends 10
whom he felt himself indebted.
The topic dwet upon was "Divine
Providence in the Affairs OF Men"
Text: Romans chap, 2Sy. "For we
know all things work together for good
to all them that love God" This topic
and text has often been treated upon
before, but DR.. Fulerton's presentation
OF the theme was exceptionally striking
and effective. The sermon was well
connected and at passages, besides being
logical and learned, they were certainly
beautiful and persuasive. Added to this
DIR. Fullerton spoke in good voice and
impressive earnestness. The following
is q fair outline Of what he said:
A lady once spoke to me about this
text and asked me, "Do you believe
this?" l answered, Eyes, why not?"
at is so mysterious" said she, "and
how can we know?" Faith Is the only
explanation of divine mystery, aud
without faith ii is impossible to appro-
pirate this or any other truth. We re-
ceive truth for mental development
from every revelation God has given
us-Hls Word, His Spirit speak
ing TO the human conscience,
the revelation Of science and the trl-
umph of philosophy Of these modern
days. The soul by faith grasDs the
promises of God, believes them and as
cends the ladder to the divine until the
touch OF God upon the divine nature OF
man is as intangible as the earthly sub
stance 10 the fingers. The text says,
1--WE know" This knowledge Is
peculiar. In every phase OF life we
discern the landmarks OF Gods divine
Providence. In sorrow, affliction, be-
reavement and all the Ills to which
human beings are heir as well as their
ouposites-sunshine, health, Joy and
gladness-we hold on by faith to the
hand that, though unseen, guides the
universe. The text may be regarded as
a promise that all things will work for
Sood. When, does 1t mean always In
this life? / think not, or at least many
can not discern all of the good the text
speaks of in this life. Ones life is not
measured by existence on earth. 1t
is measured by the endless flight OF
years designated Eternity. What a
wondrous world is eternity and what a
vast interest depends upon 1t! We live
here making mistakes, plumbers, meet
ing dssappointments, undergoing ad-
verse circumstances, and wonder where
the good Is to be discerned. When the
good Of all things occurs we
cannot comprehend IL. 1t Is too deep
for the finite. viii it ever be explained,
made clearer TO us? Yes, though IL
may be a Thousand years from now. 1t
will work out ultimately for good. This
is faith. God does not promise that all
things work together for the apparent
or seeming good In this life. There may
be darkness or shadows TO the end OF
the race Uub ludu cdibuiI OAio'OASO 40
not the termination OF life. He Is to live
forever as long as God shall endure.
When il seems best to the Divine Being
he will show man the good. Philoso-
ply is wisdom practically. We are all
philosophers, and we live our daily rou-
tine by the application Of system OF
philosophy which in detail may be
varying, but in general Is ever the
same. This life is but a school to test
and educate ourselve for higher things.
The child led by his father into will
| derness, holds on to its fathers hand,
and asks the names OF trees
ana flowers. So the Christian,
holding on to the divine hand, goes
through life trusting the heavenly
Father, sometimes asking questions but
not always receiving answers. But
every problem will be explained in the
light Of that sun whose rays Hume and
vet carry no scorching heat. Aud final
" the real explanation Of life is: Lean
earnestly to the All Father, submit to
His sovereign will and fear not what
shall come to pass, for we are His
children, the sons and daughters OF the
living God.