The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-02-19
TWO FINE SERMONS
Rev. J. T. Gibbs and Rev
Livingston Johnston.
Dr. GibbeS Preached at Edenton Street Method
isl Church and Or. Johnston at the
First Baptist Church.


day at Edenton Street church. His SER
mon were both thoughtful and timely
Dr. Gibbs is one of the lablest men of his
denomination, and his. sermons Sunday
were inspiring. He discussed in the
morning sermon the progress and posi-
biities of the American nation. For clear
and unmistakable expression, deer
thought and polished rhetoric, Dr.. Gibbs
has few equals in the conference. What
follows is brief synopsis of the morning
sermon:
The Lord hath done great things for
u.s. whereof we are glad."-Psa. 1868.
He hath not dealt so with any nation
Pisa. 1920
We have crossed the threshold and are
within the twentieth century. Through
the nineteenth century Methodism has
been so interviewer with the civil history
OF this country that. perhaps, we can best
take our bearings by a grateful study OF
Gods dealings with our nation. Repre-
scntatives of other churches. might make
the same claim, and | should gladly con-
cede II.
Our progenitors came from densely pop
ulated countries and undesirable condi-
lions. They were in search of civil anc
religious liberty. For this they came
from civilization. with its abuses, into q
Wilderness yet into large land with
natural resources above any other land,
into land situate between Europe ana
Asia and between South and British
America, the stragetic point to command
more largely than any other the future
commerce of the world.
To the first settlers there were many
unavoidable hardships. But with faith in
God and the inherent rights of man they
refused to be discouraged. The time came
when to us free men they must cease to
be English eolonistsg sand now England
and the world concede that they were di-
vinely guided.
The churches did much to keep Ameri-
can thought upon high and right plane
There is a beautiful legend of George
Washington conservation. religiously, to
deliver this country from the oppression
OF taxation without representation. Mr..
John Wesley wrote strong letter TO the
British Premier dissuadng from war. de-
scribing the Americans upon information
from his preachers serving them as
calm enthusiasts for liberty. ready TO
leap into a fire or rush into cannon s
mouth" When The war was on the teach
ing Of the churches had aatremendous in
nuence upon the forces in the field. An
illustrative incident is the taking in the
name of the great Jehovah Fort Iicon-
deroga.
After the Revolutionary War not with
out difficulty, a Constitution Was adopted
guaranteeing the greatest liberty TO the
individual. 1t was an experiment, but II
has stood every strain in peace and war.
The material development of the coun-
trv has been unprecedented. And while
a single century with all the material
demands of the situation has been too
short a time for us TO lead all others in
the world of letters, yet we have had
our Longfellow, Irving, Hawthorne,
Cable and others and much has bees
written worthy to be preserved in the
annals of any people and which enriches
the literature OF the world. Nevertheless,
it is at this point that we need most to
be strengthened Many of our higher in
situations of learning, especially i'll the
South, have been hindered in doing the
hest work for want of means to secure
the best appliances. Hence the wisdom 0;
the General Conference in directing that
tho whole of the Twentieth Century Fund
be given to our Educational Institutions.
In general progress our history has been
unparalleled
What of the present situation? Within
a decade the great expositions in Chicago
and Omaha give evidence of the real and
comparative strength of the country in
science and art, in inventions and manu-
featuring enterprises, and in religion it
self And our newly acquired Porto Rico
Philippine Islands and smaller possess
slons complete picture of national
growth unrivaIIed in history.
Regarding the matter of territorial ex-
pansion, we cannot notice here even to
the extent Of mere mention any view be-
low the plane of what is Christian duty.
But upon this plane-whether it involve
the acquisition of territory, or a protec-
iorate over new republics--we shrink from
no responsibility and are not discouraged
by any cost
The churches have shared in the pros
perity of the country contributed to it.
and sent their missionaries abroad every
where Today the cause OF Christian ed
ucation. the distribution of missionary
literature and the output of men and
vance of the most sanguine hopes of our
fathers.
What of the future of this country.
with special reference to what ii will do
through the churches to save the world
Unlike the old countries the natural re-
sources OF this land are as yet only very
partially developed; herein is found great
promises OF increasing wealth and the
giving of employment to vast incoming
population, with the promise of large
augmentation, both of the wealth and the
population by our immensely widening
commerce, so that there is every prospect
that this nation shall greatly surpass
any other Will her wealth be conse-
Grated through the churches to the eleva-
tion and salvation of mankind? Much de-
ponds upon an educated and faithful min
istry baptised with the Holy Ghost sen;
down from heaven.
we have here the key with which 10
unlock the problem of how TO save the
world. Let us see the hand of Providence
in all ctr history, and recognize our
appointed guardianship-not OF
the inhabitants of far of isles in theiI
economic matters, but of those who come
hltheT to be citizens of this land; and our
God given trust to use all our resources
educate our people and to send mission