The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1899-07-07
NATIONS ANNIVERSARY.
Rev. DIR. Erdman's Sermon In Honor OF
the Occasion.

Rev. DIR. Erdman's Sermon In Honor OF
the Occasion.
DIR. Erdman preached an able sermon
on Sunday morning, appropriate to the
Nations anniversary, from 1st Chroni-
cles 20: 30, s'The times that
went over David the King, and over
Israel and over all the Kingdoms of the
countries. We quote in part as follows:
"The recurrence of another, the 123rd
anniversary of our Nations birthday, af-
fords abundant food for reflection. The
events of the past twelve months alone
not to speak of longer period furnish
an impressive illustration of the langu-
age of the text.
''The times that have gone over us
individually, over the Nation, over all
the Kingdoms of the countries even in
this brief period-how manifold; how
difficult to understand. Reversing the
order of the text, first, we are impressed
with the current of changes throughout
the world. The times that go over all
the Kingdoms of the countries. How
vast these arel Kingdoms rise and fall;
others changed utterly. What battles
are fought, what wars carried on, how
many lives lost, how many names cease
to exist. What discoveries in science,
what inventions in art, what develop
ments in every line of known activity
"There is no period in the modern his
tory of the world-or ancient history
either comparable with the past fifty
years. Questions and problems which
the science of six thousand years had
not been able to solve, have received
their solution within the space of our
ordinary human life.
"Verily the times that go over the Ma
tions are marvellous in the fullness and
rapidity Changes are going on and
impending in China and japan, in India
and Africa, among the nations of Eu-
rope and in the Islands of the seal All
these have gone over us while you and
have been following our accustomed
duties and the daily routine of our lives.
"The text speaks of the times that 20
over single nation, the times that
went over Israel How wonderful, how
significant of future possibilities, both of
have gone over us as a nation! One issue
after another has been forced upon us
one question after another has risen up
and called for decision.
1--WE have borne part in these events,
and yet how far beyond our control they
have been! One supreme fact has sud-
denly crystallized beyond our power to
change or modify-and that is, that
whether we will or not, our nation has
taken its place in the fore front of all the
nations of earth. We no longer stand
apart and separate we may no longer
live for ourselves alone.
Responsibilities, tremendous in their
trend, and enough to make the stoutest
heart stagger, have been thrust upon us.
The unparalleled victories in Eastern
and Northern seas have settled that fact.
1T is not a question of expansion or
anti-expansion, any more than in the
early days of 1776, OF 1925, of '46, of
61-65, Men-wise men, sincere men,
then us now-doubted and hesitated and
opposed, but the times went on. God
the Supreme is over all. The question is
rather, how shall we meet these tre-
mendous responsibilities? Is there right
eousness enough? Is there wisdom? Is
there willingness to deal with them in
the fear of God and according to his
truth and righteousness?
"Ohl that the Lord Jehovah would
give these to us! He will if we ask Him
and are obedient to His will. Thus
saith Jehovah, let not the wise glory in
his wisdom, neither let the mighty glory
in his might let not the rich glory in
his riches but let him that glorieth
glory in this, that he understandeth and
knoweth me, that am Jehovah, which
exercise loving kindness and judgment
and righteousness in the earth, for in
these things delight, saith the Lord. :"