The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-06
POWER OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER
DIR. Kerr Discusses This Theme as IL
,ustrat, d by Queen Victoria.

At the First Presbyterian Church Sur
day evening DR.. Kerr preached on the
power of Christian character as illEstrat-
ed by the life of Queen Victoria. DE-.
Kerr said in part:
\ few days ago. on January -, 1901,
Victoria, the Queen Empress OF the
greatest empire the world has ever
known, ended her life and reign. She ed
in full communion with the English EpiS-
copal and Scottish Presbyterian churches,
in calm faith in Christ, the Saviour or
men, whispering to her son and success
sor Edward VII, and her grandson, the
Emperor of Germany, words that VIII
re-echo round the world for years 10
come-"Promotc Peacer
1t has been said by many that the
Queen was a woman OF very ordinary
ability. This was not true. She
born ruler and gifted of God with rare
prudence and judgment as q sovereign
Yet she was not in Intellect, more glfEesi
than have been many other sovere.gr|
who have not done half SO we'll in ruling
their peoples. So men have been Pdz-
zed to understand how she reigned so
wisely and how benetceut results were
achieved that transcend those of any
other monarch in all history. How could
she guide an empire in q career OF pros
perity and power that are the envy and
admiration of mankind? The answer is.
because she lived a consecrated Chr stan
life. Napoleon BOnaparte was undouht-
eddy a genius, but what Il difference
there is between the histories, the achiev-
IneutS of these two most c0nsp5 ctiouS
rulers of modern timeSi The difference
lies largely in their difference of charac
ter. Napoleon lived for self, guided by
his own wisdom. Victoria lived for God.
ever led by his holy will and followed
the example OF Christ in a pure and cody
life, actuated by Il constant desire for the
welfare of all. even to the humblest o.
| her subjects. Her life was holy and her
court was pure.
Typical OF her whole reign was he e2s-
| quisite scene with which it began. Being
awakened at . O'Clock in the morning by
| Lord Chamberlain and the Bishop of
London and informed that by the death
| of her uncle, William W., she had ac-
| coded to the crown. her first words We're
! to the Bishop, Il beg your prayers IN my
behalf" Then the nIght-robeCi, Sippered
maiden Queen and her two noble friends
knelt down for suppiication to the King
| of kings. that this young sovereign might
| be enabled to rule in the fear OF God.
How well this prayer was answered all
| the world knows
Napoleon. when he was about to be
| crowned, took the crown from the Pontif $
hands and placed it on his own head in
| token that he owed his crown to no one
! but himself. In that spirit he wore It
until his overthrow, living for his own
! glory. Victoria lived for God and her fei-
| lowmen. Victoria was pure, and the fierce
| light that heats upon Il throne never re-
vealed d spot or stain OF dishonor upon
| her character.
This is the reason The Queen as she
was called all over the world, was such
| a mighty power for good. 1t was the
| power of goodness, it was because She
| had been with God every day in prayer
| and blessed communion And so it comes
| about that her death is Il personal be-
| reavement to the millions OF her vast
| Empire and more tears have been shed
lsthan over the decease of any ether per-
| son that has lived in the world. The
/ Queen is dead. and yet she is not dead.
| for goodness never dies. She will live on
| in the life of the world-an inspiration
| to righteousness to the end of time
| Her reign may be summed up by say
/ ing: She held her sceptre amenable to a
| higher power: Victoria was Queen OF Eng
/ land, but Christ was Victorii's king
And now, with heads bowed in rever-
/ ence at the removal OF the most conspicu-
| Gus figure among all sovereigns, we pray
/ for her son and her successor-'Loag
live King Edward VII.