The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-03-18
AT WOODBRIDGE CHURCH
YESYERD4 Y,S SER YICETHERE VAS
 4 NOTABLE ONE.

Vigorous Sermon Preached by tho
 Pastor, Rev. $. P. Marvin, on HI,
 Eightieth Birthday A Hymn Com.
 posed by Him Especially for the Oc-
 casion- by Younger Members of the Church The Sermo ol,
 in Full.
 Yesterday was notable day at the Woodbridge Congregational church, the
 occasion being the eightieth birthday of
 the pastor Rev. S. F. Marvin, who has
 been pastor of the church for thirty-six
 years. Rev. MT. Marvin, although an
 octogenarian, is a well preserved and active man, and few persons would
 think from his appearance that he had
 even reached the three-score and ten
 mark. In his sermon yesterday there
 was evidenced all the fire and vigor ! which have characterized the long
 years of his pastorate.
 His granddaughter, Miss Grace E. Marvin, at yesterdays service sang
 solo, accompanied on the organ by Rev. MT. Marvin's son, John M. Marvin Of this city A hymn composed especially for the occasion by the aged minister
 was sung, and the verses are published l In connection with the sermon. A large congregation was present and
 at the close of.the service as Rev. MT.
 Marvin descended from the pulpit the | of hn nnnOraO1tiOn gath cred around him and congratulated him.
 Psalms xxiii, 6: Surely goodness and
 mercy shall follow me all the days ot
 my life, and I will dwell in the house of
 the Lord forever
 The psalm from which our text has
 been taken has sometimes been called
 the psalm of the crook, the crook rep resenting the shepherd, who in ancient
 times led forth his flock to the pasture where he would leave them feed for the
 day and lead them back to the fold at at night And so it becomes the shep- herds psalm, in which the Lord be- comes the great shepherd of his flock leading them into green pastures, and beside the still waters where they shall have His protection, constant and loving care. The psalm has also been called a creed. It is said that a person of deep thinking, who had become wearied with the doubts and perplex- ing difficulties which troubled his mind recited the psalm from which my text is taken and when he had finished he said, That is my creed, and I need, I desire no other. l learned it from my mothers lips. I have repeated it every morning when I awoke for the last twenty years, yet I do not half under- stand it. I am now only beginning to spell out it's infinite meaning, and death will come on me with the task unfinished But by the grace of Jesus will hold on to this psalm as my creed and will strive to believe it, and to live i.. for I know that it will lead me to the cross; it will guide me to glory"
 Surely one who could take the sweet thought home to his heart that he had a shepherd who was leading him forth | and watching over him in all the vicis- | situdes of life, when he was called to walk in the shadow of death, as well as when he was made to enjoy the higher 1 and sweeter sources of pleasure, need | ask for no other divine hand to guide, | or no other assurance that He would 1t E length lead him to the perfect day.
 With these thoughts the psalm seems ! appropriate for the suggestions of the . present time. It seemed appropriate to take some note of this eightieth birth day. because few in the ministry live to have an eightieth birthday. and those who do usually have become in- firm and incapacitated for the duties of l parish.
 It is not my purpose to make the pres ant time one of a personal nature, but rather to make it the point around which some thoughts may cling which t may be of general interest flo us all Sometimes we climb .o the top of a ill and look hack upon the way in which we have made the ascent, and all he different things which happened ap- pear to us. And so we may stand upon he elevation of time which a birthday iuggests. We are higher up than we nave ever been before, and may look ,acl1 over the past life, and think how many dangers have threatened us and m unseen hand has preserved us. How ften we have been on the brink of ome disaster and in some unexpected md unlocked for way we have es- aped.
 And then, again, how often when hngs looked dark and forbidding and vhat you very much wanted you was eady to dispair of securing because of he obstacles which stood in your way. he obstacles have been removed or a 1ay opened to overcome them, some nseen influence has secured for you T a way which you knew not the very bject which you desired. And then again how many blessings ou have been receiving in all the jour ey of life hitherto. There are blessings lore than can be numbered which have < cen continually bestowed upon us. Iappy homes, filled with parental and ( lial affection. sympathizing friends. wing companions, social intercourse. ating, refined and helpful to you in l our aspirations after q noble life. And esides, the influence of the church | hich aids you in your spiritual growth Ito that which is pure and noble and ' [ good report and which enables you | secure a Christly character. When C e from the elevation of the birthday | ok back and see what blessings have 2 ,me us us by Gods providence and V le richer gifts of His grace we are Il