Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-06

explained the University movement.
and made an appeal for contributions,
with excellent result. One of the most
prominent clergymen here in the in
terest of the University project is
Bishop c. H. Fowler, of Buffalo, N.
Y, whose fame as pulpit orator is
known throughout the east, and who
has been heard frequently by Wheel
ing audiences.
Bishop Fowler and Ex-Governor
Foster, of Ohio, were to nave address
ed the congregation at the North
Street M. E. Church last night, but
the latter was unable to be present.
The disappointment of the audience
was lightened by the pleasure of lis
tening to Bishop Fowler. he music
was excellent, the choir rendering a
number of special selections.
Bishop Fowler took his text from
Romans, Sth CHI, 14th v.-'For as
many as are led by the Spirit of God,
they are the sons of God"
This he said, was one of the funda-
mental truths of the word of God.
Modern skepticism denies the incarna-
ton of Jesus Christ, and alleges that
it is egotism to accept the words of
the text. Those who have tasted o;
the good of the word of God, know
that it is not infinite egotism, but
rather infinite humility. Those of us
who have heard the still small voice
within us, by which we say Our
Father" know that if the spirit of
God is received at all, it is received in
greatest humility. For one man to
say to another Il am led by the Spirit
of God" does seem unmeasured ego
tism, but those who have experienced
it, know that it is always received in
deepest humility.
The doctrine which is presented in
the text, is one of the greatest in the
Book of God. No statement can be
made which will overput its import
ance. Each man is upon an earthly
probationship He has but one life to
lead, he can never undo the past, and
yet he is confronted with the necessity
for passing through the gates of Heav-
en-. Everything is at stake, for eter-
nal happiness depends upon 1t. In
man is an infnity of want, above him
an infinity of peace, beneath him an
infinity of pain. All are centred in the
one run which each man is making.
His goal must be the gate of Heaven,
and it must be entered at any sacri-
flee. "In the midst of this desperate
run, with everything at stake, tell me
that God will come down here and
whisper into my ear the secrets Of the
way, leading me around the pitfalls
and up to the very shining gate. and
you will have impaired to me the one,
the infinite truth, compared with
which all other is but as ashes and
dust" Yet, if this truth is received
at all, it is received in humility.
This is a mearvelous proposition in
the Book of. Romans. Study will re-
veal the fact that it sweeps over the
ages of possible conditions. Paul pic
lures the results that come to those
who reject the leadership OF the Spirit
of God. It is only question of time
until those results will be realized in
each individual experience. A little
later the Apostle takes up the cases
of people who are brought under the
influence of the Spirit. Still later the
conflict is found to be narrowed down
to the bosom of single individual.
LED by the spirit" is the test of dis
cipleship They who are so led are the
sons of God. 1t is the old picture on
the Roman coin over again-the picture
of the OK between the altar and the
plow. ready for either This spiritual
leadership is presented in the Bible as
the supreme thing in life. What the
bread is to the body, it is to the soul.
There is safety in following the lead
ership of the Spirit, only in the things
set forth in the Bible. 1t is the only
safe guide. To say that the Spirit Of
God is going to come down, and tell
u.s. for example, to go into corner and
pray for four minutes-that is fanati-
cism. People who say this place them
selves on the brink Of crater which
may destroy them. People who under
take to make the Spirit of God do all
their errands, are useless in the church.
Take the Bible as the guide. Outside
of it there is no safety, no ground upon
which to stand with certainty. God
may place the obligation upon person
to pray for another. but it is not bind
ing upon any other.
At the conclusion Of his sermon,
Bishop Fowler appealed for assistance
for the University project, stating that
he would like to get subscription of
$500 in the aggregate from the North
Street congregation, and offering to
head the list with 800, provided two