Evening journal., 1896-11-23
HIS FIRST SERMON.
Rev. Frederick Foye Briggs at
Second Baptist Church.
SOMETHING ABOUT HIS LIFE
HIS INITIAL SERMON WAS HEARD
BY A LARGE CONGREGATION
YESTERDAY MORNING BE
TENDERED A RECEPTION.
SOMETHING ABOUT HIS LIFE

ho LtlbA1 MOhNlNI-I BE
TENDERED A RECEPTION.
Rev Frederick Foye Briggs, the new
pastor Of Second Baptist Church
preached his first sermon yesterday
morning I'm his new position. lie
preached four sermons in Delaware
Avenue Baptist Church in 1894. and le
preached two sermons In Second Bap-
tist Church, one In March and the other
i'm October
Before coming 10 Wilmington Mr.
Briggs was the associate pastor of the
consolidated Beth Eden and First
Churches, Philadelphia. Mr. Briggs
was born June H. 1867, at Kansas
City, Missouri. His father removed
with his family to Denver, and there
died in 1871. After residence in Den
YER, and again in Kansas City. he went
again to Hiram, Ohio, where the late
James A. Garfield was president Of the
college. AT Hiram the widowed mother
of MIR. Briggs became the wife of
Frank NJ. Ellis ID. d., now of Brook
lyn.
Mr.. Briggs was a student for four
years at the Boston Latin School. He
entered Johns Hopkins University in
1888, graduating in 1891. He pursued
theological studies at Grocer for three
years graduating in 1894. He supplied
the LansdOwne Church while attending
Grocer, and was called to Beth Eden
in October, 1894. as the successor to
Dr. Beckley. Negotiations were then
pending for consolidation with the
First Church. Mr.. Briggs accepted the
call as stated supply for six months
hon 1n Ia uNt 90 ..N
he was called to the pastorate. pending
the settlement Of q permanent pastor
When DR. Tupper was called as pastor,
he became his associate until accept
ing the call 10 Second Baptist Church.
Mr.. Briggs was married in May, 1895.
TO Miss Eleanor Ashton Lewis, of Up
land
Yesterday morning Mr.. Briggs took
as his text. James /, pa. Concerning
IL he said in part: "This epistle was
addressed by James. the head OF the
mother church in Jerusalem, to the
Jews who had been scattered among
the dispersed tribes of Israel. The rec
ord of Gods dealings with His people
IS always fresh and instructive In any
age. and the things which have been
written. as well as the things which
have been done In the past, may be-
come sources of strength and JOY and
comfort 20 Gods people.
"We learn that there Is such a thing
in this world as joy, I'm the midst o
/ temptation and trial. Trial is 20 th,
Christian what hard service is TO thl
soldier No man ever became a grea
soldier by simply going on dress pa
! rado The very same thing Is true OF
/ the Christian who Is struggling to at.
| tain Christlikeness. He is like the
| traveller who has caught a glimpse of
some far-of mountain peak and is de-
/ termined to reach its height. He has
/ caught the inspiration of beauty. and
/ is determined to overcome all to reach
/ the top and he rejoices in the midst OF
/ difficulties.
There are Christians all about us
who seem to have caught the inspira-
| tion of holiness. They have gazed upon
that matchless divine life, until
they feel the uplifting Of It's
power and they welcome ans
/ and e,uy means which will
! lift themselves out of self into Christ
! There are human lives that do not
realize their own powers. The world
sees little Of promise but God takes
| them and subjects them to the fire OF
trial and temptation until at last they
come forth cleansed and purified. Is II
any wonder that they rejoice with JOY
unspeakable when they fall into sucl
trials as that? There Is then such q
thing as JOY I'm the midst of temptation
THE trying of faith adds to our en-.
durance. If our faith in God is genu.
inc trial of It viii but make us NOR,
steadfast and more secure.
Endurance when completed brings
| perfection. and perfection is Christ
likeness. Many people think that faitl
Is the chief end Of a Christians life
when in reality It is bnt the condition
of salvation. Others think that stead
fastness and endurance and persever
ance are the highest ends Of living
when in reality they are but means (
something still higher"
A large congregation heard the ser
mon.
Rev. and Mrs. Briggs viii be tendere,
a reception by the members of Tn,
church in the chapel building to-mor
row night