The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-09-24
AT THE METHODIST CHURCH.
Beautiful Sermon by a Patriarch in the
Service.

Sunday morning large and apprecla-
tive audience gathered Mt the Methodist
church to hear Bishop Bowman, one oi
the leading lights of the Methodist church
Of America.
The weE-drilled choir rendered some
beautiful music during the service and
when the venerable preacher arose TO
deliver his sermon every member of the
| congregation was in an attitude of close
| attention. Almost four score years old,
yet with dignity Of presence and a
countenance bearing the imprint Of a
pure and noble life, this white haired SER
want of the Almighty commands instant
attention and respect. His utterances,
coming from ripe experience gathered
in all parts of the globe, before crowned
heads in Europe, Japan and China, and
throughout the length and breadth of the
United States, carry a conviction which
Is the more impressive from their sim
plicity and directness.
From the text, BLESSED Is the man
that walketh not in the counsel of the
ungodly, nor standesth in the way of sin
ners. nor stitch in the seat Of the scorn-
flu; but his delight is in the law of the
Lord; and in His law doth he mediate
day and night" Psalms 1:1-2, verita-
be benedlction was pronounced which
found its way to every heart. In such
simple words that every child could un-
derstand, yet in a most earnest and
beautiful way, was depicted the life of
the godly man. The negative and posi-
tive sides of the righteous mans life
were so clearly set forth that the picture
was like a cameo which will ever be
present to the mind Of the hearer. Not
only does the godly man not do those
things which are not harmful to himself
but lest he lead Ihis netshbor astray he
also abstains from those things which
might be harmful through his influence
He avoids the very appearance of evil
and will not even be seen in the haunts
or seats of the wicked or scoffers. But
his delight is in the law of the Lord ana
in the study of His commandments,
whose principles he carries into every
day life. Should he meet with failures
by prayer he seeks a sure forgiveness
and gains a new strength for the battle.
Many beautiful Illustrations from the
speakers own experience, so ripe in all
phases of human life, gave additional
weight to the music of his We'll chosen
words, and one could not but feel, in
looking into the face which spoke its
own story of purity, that had the world
many more such lives 1t wee well for
mankind. In closing the discourse and
describing the last trlumphal entry into
the home of the godly man, he graphical
ly pictured a scene from his own life.
Returning from Japan several years ago,
the steamer was nearing the port of San
Francisco. 1t was Sunday and the bishop
as was his custom, was holding service in
the cabin. A storm had arisen and soon
grew so fierce that the service had to be
suspended. The gale increased and night
was coming on. The brave ship was toss
ed about upon the mountains Of water
like an esq she'll. The captain directed
the minister to go to his stateroom say
ing that he would keep watch and would
call him before they reached the Golden
Gate, assuring him that ne had been
through many fierce storms and that they
would probably be in harbor in the morn
ing. AS the hours rolled by the footsteps
of the captain could be heard pacing the
deck and the cry "alls well-steady,"
assured the passengers that though the
storm was thick about the n protecting
hand was guiding them to safety, as is
always the case in life, when man in the
midst of the storm of sin puts his trust
In the One above. The morning broke
and the captain, true to his promise.
called the minister on deck Just as they
were passing from out the storm through
the Golden Gate into the harbor of San
Francisco where they were soon safe
at anchor in the bay. So the godly man
reaches his home above, however dark
the clouds and storms Of life about him.