Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-06-19
Eloquent Address Delivered Last
Sunday by Rev. F. q. Davies.
DIVINE CONTROL OF MANS CAREER
Raccaiaureate Services Held at First
Baptist Church Last Evening for
ottumwa High School ciass-Ed.
ward Weeks Rendered Vocal Solo.
IFrom Mondays Daily.l

cnurcn to listen to the baccalaureate
address delivered by Rev. F. G. Davies,
pastor Of the church. Rev. Davies
took as his theme Divine Control
Over Mans Career" and in most
beautiful and eloquent manner show
ed forth the influence that penetrates
and controls the doings of the uni
verse and the lives of humanity.
Special music was arranged for the
first part of the service. Edward Weeks
gave a solo entitled "The Choir In
visible" which was most thoroughly
enjoyed and appreciated by all. An
other of the musical numbers most
pleasing was the song by Messrs. Ed
ward Weeks, Judson Trenniman, L..
Witter and Jerry Jenkins.
The platform was very beautifully
arranged with elaborate decorations
consisting Of flowers, ferns and palms
together with the class colors making a
most artistic and pleasing effect.
Rev. F. G. Davies Address.
Rev. Davies took as his text the
passage of scripture found in Proverbs
1888 "The lot is cast into the lap;
but the whole disposing thereof is of
the Lord" The speaker in a most
practical and forceful manner brought
out the many influences that surround
the human being in this life and said
in part:
Zone, Coheleth by name, a king of
the ancient city of Jerusalem, speak
ing out of the experiences of one
whose exalted position gave him the
broadcast possible view of life, ex-
claims with fervor. The race is not to
fhn hn hot Ia 10 he
strong, neither yet bread to
the wise, nor yet riches to
the men of understanding, nor yet ia
chance happeneth to them all
That Mysterious Influence.
at would seem that this statement
was the result of mature judgment,
and in direct opposition to the expec-
tation of early years. With him, how
ever, there is now no question about it,
no doubt, but settled conviction.
How contrary this Judgment of the
wise scar of olden time to our first
thought and outspoken word? The
courageous youth, bubbling over with
life and vitality, instantly insists that
the race must be to the swift, that
strength must decide the battle, that
wisdom and skill must have no trium-
plant competitor and to all it would
seem, that the race should be to the
swift, but as we remember the fable of
the hare and the tortoise there comes
to us the realization that many inf1u-
ences may enter into our success. The
battle is neither wholly to the strong
for we remember that the apparently
strong person in this life may fall as
did the giant Goliath before the Jew.
ish lad David. That the likelihood is
in that direction no one doubts, and
more startling is the fact when we see
the expected set aside and the un-
looked for occurring.
A World of Surprises.
what world of surprises is this
in which we live? The man of wealth
today begs tomorrow. The skilled and
far famed artist of yesterday daubs
himself with slime and filth today and
is forgotten. while the herder of swine
is transformed in a night to princely
merchant and the wood chopper sits in
the presidents chair The long OF
every day life, then, occasionally con.
tradicts the mathematical accuracy of
figures. Logical conclusions are sci
aside. The all supreme law of cause
and effect is dethronsd every day in
the lives of the multitude. Even the
law of gravitation may be overcome
Life is greater than mechanical law
Life cannot be bound by probability
Z Life, even the most minute defies
what humanity deems certainties
That the unexpected most often occurs
in the various adjustments of life sug
gests the question why, and prompts
to earnest inquiry.
1t Is Not Chance.
"The writer of Ecclesiastes closes
his meditations on this theme by de
claring Time and chance happenetf
to ALL meaning doubtless that to III
as men 1t seems casual, mere chance
a happen so and leaving us to satisfy
ourselves, after research, as to thu
real cause of the outcome. Truly
The lot is cast into the lap We
seem to be taking the. chances of life
The wheel whirls around and sense
of uncertainty bewilders us. The lot
is drawn. The speculation is entered
into. The plan is devised We have
used our judgment and the choice has
been made. We hope to accomplish
great things. We have worked Xix,
slaves and suffered privation, under
gone dangers and used our wit AM
wisdom. The desired end must come
but under our breath We whisper, Their
may be some mistake. Why did W,
not choose the other, or why were W,
impressed to make the choice we did
We seem to have been led to this cir
cumstance almost from the very start
In our despair, if failure stares us il
the face, we cry, it is all mystery ant
If success comes to use, it is still al
mystery, though pleasant one. Their
is secret power back of all our dc
ings that hedges us in, circumscribe
our actions and moulds our lives
whether good or evil.
Not All one-sided.
1.-THE young husband and wife plal
to do without everything but the bar
necessities of life that they may owl
their home and just as the last pay
ment is made one of them sickens an,
dies, while the other left alone repine
and wishes the loved one back and tn