The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-09-28
AFTER TWENTY-FIVE YEARS
CALVARY BAPTIST CH URCH's QUAR-
 TER CENTURY.

Rev. MT. Poteat Preaohes-Reasons for
 Remembering the Days of old-Beneflts
 ter Century Celebration-First Pastor to
 Preach Next Sunday.
 In anticipation of the twenty-tifth anniversary of the Calvary Baptist church, the pastor Rev. E. M. Poteat, preached yesterday on the reasons for holding commemorative services, from the text Deuteronomy 32'7: "Remem- Der the days of old, consider the years of many generations; ask thy father and he will show thee; thy elders and they will tell thee"
 The pastor said: eff such meetings as we are about to hold on the twenty fifth anniversary of this church were held merely for the purpose of gratify- ing church pride it would be bad, but it will bring us into deep humility and joyfully face to face with God if en- tered into in the right spirit. There are several reasons for remembering the days of old Perhaps some of us have listened to some aged grandparent who could remember the War of the Revo- lution. and we recollect even, yet the glow of their face and the animation of their voice as they recalled the stir ring scenes of that struggle for inde- pendence. Most of us have heard per sons who remembered the late great struggle talk of it's battles and incl dents with a spirit and an interest which no other subject could arouse
 We do not need to be told of the heroic deeds of old in our history but if there ever comes a time when we cease to cherish the days of old, then it is certain we shall have become in capable of repeating such heroic deeds.
 Remember the days of old? It is not an idle thing that we con the records, that we return to the old homestead and climb the rickety stairs to the old garret and look at the old spinning wheel. It Is not an idle thing that we go over again the early days of this church.
 Another reason for remembering the days of old is to tell them to your chill dren There are some here who can have no knowledge of these things ex- cept we tell them.
 When the recollection of their na- tion's history began to grow dim in the minds of the Israelites then their na- tion's life began to wane.
 With this recollection of the past each generation starts off as it were with the funded experience of the race, so this church ought to start off with the funded experience of this church. sN Still another reason for remember ing is that in so doing we can mark the Providence of God. I sympathize with the people without religious life, be- cause. they miss the privilege of seeing the hand of God in their daily lives. If I take my life and give it to God can look back upon it and see that it is well and say blessed art Thou, o God. Similarly, this church is field for the life and manifestation of God
 There has been continual in- gathering into this church in the last Twenty-Five years, showing that there is life and I am thankful that there are indications that this church was planted by God.
 
 may follow such a celebration. The unity of the Baptist people in this city may be conserved by it. confess that l am somewhat disturbed by the action taken by the First Baptist church in this period of transition. It has ever been the spirit and leaderof the Bap- tist churches in this city and we may hope that this celebration may help to retain them in their old time sphere of usefulness.
 It gives us also an opportunity of giving our testimony in the community and to secure more unity in our own membership
 Next Sunday the first pastor of the church, Rev. c. E, Smith, will preach the historical sermon.