The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-09-26
MEMORIAL SERMON.
Delivered by Rev. D. N. kirkby, in ST. Paul's
p. E. Church, on Thursday, Sept. 9th.

ROMANS VII 40:
"The earnest expectation of the
creature waiteth for the manifestation
of the sons of God"
Over and above all the fluctuations
and viclsstudes of life there is a fixed
and eternal law of God. 1t is the
law of progress.
The obedience of man TO this pro-
found rule of the Almighty may be of
very hesltating character, but all
the evidence shows that the onward
march OF mankind from earth to
heaven is marked and sure. Yet al
ways is the advance beset with diff.
Guilty, as though men rebelled against
1t, and OF set purpose made their ad-
vance hard. The process of change
from condition that is poor to one
incomparably better, even that is
brought about only by strong effort
against resistance. The growth of
civil and religious liberties, as well as
OF the facilities of life, constantly il
iustrate this.
Lord Wolseley, an English COM
mander of great experience, wrote of
the negro races in Africa: SIN what.
ever people great law giver has ap.
peared, there powerful army and
military spirit has been called into
existence, and the nation has pros
pered until its national existence has
been destroyed by still stronger
people" :"
This, brethren, is brief history of
not only savage man from the begin
ming. The sad fact is that creation
is, by reason of sin, voluntarily fulfill
ing an unworthy instead of worthy
end. Where there might be peace
there is warfare. Where unity should
be found there is discord. And the no.
blest ideals are shadowed by visions
and desires which are less exalted.
1t is altogether commentary on the
assertion of St. Paul "The whole
creation groaneth and travaileth in
pain together until now" And, mark
1t, the power of God manifests itself
in SO controlling the affairs of life
that the grand total of human
effort, instead of leading only from
one discontinue to another without
adequate result, is steadily marked
by line of progress. My brethren,
this is to me fine argument for be-
lief in the Providence of God. For,
here in life, is the spectacle of man
constantly striving, constantly fretting,
without hesitation, blazing forth his
rule of life-the weakest to the wall
let the strong survive. Yet IN spite
of all this turmoil and unrest, and
ever threatening trouble, there is a
never ceaslng current towards better
things and God.
All And have we not had a pain
fully vivid illustration of this Just
nowp Behold the standardbearer of
the people whom he loved to call and
feel his friends, representative of law,
of order, and of religion even, my
brethren, though there be no estab-
lished religion in these United States.
Behold him there, amid the plaudits
of those whom he represented. Then
turn and face another man, repre-
sentative OF far different thoughts
than those of law, of order, and a
reverence for religion. See this other
in his deadly animosity against these
things which have stood ever and al.
ways for the welfare of humanity,
sec him face the President of this
country in bitter and revengeful as
saul!, and attack him. There is the
illustration once more of the groan-