Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-10-30


cation and an education through pro-
baton. The trials were to prove what
we are, to see If we are fitted for larger
things. We have been tested in the use
Of the ten talents to prove whether We
are fitted to rule the ten cities. A rope
is tested by weight not to break it,
but to see if it is flied to hold up more
precious things. The ship is tested, not
to destroy it, but to see if it is strong
enough to carry costly freight and pre-
cious lives through the storm. Surely
this church in its fifty years history
at times has been tested to its utmost,
and she has triumphed gloriously.
again, the meaning of trial is not
only to test worthiness, but to increase
it. The oak is not only tested by the
storms, but toughened by them. The
fire not only which is true gold, but
makes true gold more pure. Each vic
tory fits us better. to meet and over
come future difficulties. The Third
Presbyterian Chruch, having gloriously
braved the storms of the past, need
have no fear for the future, if she
holds firmly to the hand of God by
faith. Her present standing, her equip
ments, second to none in this city, the
unity of mind and heart existing among
the members, and the spirit Of loyalty
to this church, all bespeak for this Or
ganization a glorious future, if we
work and pray, and on God rely
Looking backward from where we
now stand, we can truly say with Sam
uel, Hitherto hath God helped us
Samuel knew the value of inspiring rec
the pillar commemorating the victory
of the past witness not to Israels
prowess, but to Jehovahs timely help
oh, let us consider by careful retro
spection what God has done for us.
Men too often dwell on their own deeds.
But let us note tonight that despite all
of our mistakes and shortcomings, God
has tenderly and wisely led us. To God
be the glory of what this church is to-
day. We may well say with the Psalm
ist, We went through fire and water.
but Thou broughtest out into a wealthy
place. Looking backward let us re-
member how often Gods l.elp has been
afforded when we were at the point of
despair.
The Apostolic exhortation is "be We
thankful?' And we reverently close
the volume of the first so years his
tory of this church, let it be with
thankful acknowledgement of Gods
beneficent help.
I'm a corner of Scotland, where
tourists often go, is a little stream
which is mild and gentle enough in
mid summer, but which heavy rain or
melting snow turns into raging tor
rent. Across the stream is an arched
stone foot-bridge, and into the key
stone of the arch are cut these words,
God and We" The story is that a
young girl once tried to cross the
stream when the water was high, and
was in danger of being drowned She
prayed to God to save her life and
promised that if she lived she would
build bridge over the dangerous
ford. She crossed in safety and she
did not forget her promise. Her pa
rents were not rich, but she went to
work, and before she died she had
earned money enough to fulfil her
promise. When the bridge was finish
ed she had those words cut in the key
stone to show that she had built the
bridge with Gods help. And to-day
over the material and spiritual struc-
ture of the Third Presbyterian church
the words God and We" might APP
propriately be written. God does not
ask us to under value our own efforts.
The hand work, the self-denial, the
conservation of Gods people in this
church during the last 80 years has
gone up as sweet incense before the
Lord. But without the help of God
our efforts would have been in vain. F"
And now the sun of this church S
first half century has gone down the
horizon of time. The great clock OF
eternity whose dial. records the ages
as they come and go, has struck the
knell of the old half-century and at
the same instant it announces the birth
of a new era of our church life. To-
night we bid farewell to all of the Sab
baths of the last fifty years. They are
gone, forever gone, but we will re
member the days of old" Eternity
alone can reveal the great good done
in the $500 Sabbath days spent on the
spot where we are congregated at this
moment.
THE FEATURES