The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1902-08-22
REV. J. c. cRoMER breaches
HERE.
Former Popular Owosso Minister
Addresses Large Congregation Sun

Rev. J. c. Cromer preached from his
old pulpit to large audience in the
Congregational church Sunday. After
the sermon Sunday morning the scene
became much like an informal reception
when many friends crowded around
with greetings which lasted for some
time. Mr.. Cromer had spoke feelingly
Of the changes which had taken place in
the congregation since he had left and
in particular of the older faces which he
now missed Those who Were present
however had no need 10 be told that he
was glad 10 meet them again nor could he
remain in doubt as TO the hearriness Of
the reception accorded him
Mr.. Cromer was one of the most
scholarly ministers who ever stood be-
fore an Owosso- congregation and his
sermon of Sunday morning, synopsis
of which is given here. was one of his
best He is al present p0sfOr OF the
Fountain Park Congregational church in
ST. Louis. No, where he has been nearly
four years. the entire time since leaving
the OwOsso church In the former city
his home is very pleasantly situated in
one Of the finest residence portions Of
the city while the church itself numbers
among It's membership many men whom
any minister might be proud TO count
among his friends 0wOsso friends do
not wonder however al the success
which he has attained in St Louis
and look for still greater things from
him. The synopsis Of the sermon fol
lows.
Wherefore take pleasure in Weaknesses. in
Injuries Il necessities. in perseeu;i9ns. n
6i-iTes-es for Chrlsi's sake. for wheh I am
weak then an strong. III Cor, lz-i0.
The problem Of evil in this world
presses constantly and heavily upon
men for some sort of solution, and there
Is no problem with reference TO which
it Is 50 difficult 10 marshal together all
the facts. There are various kinds Of
evil, physical metaphysical and moral
The oOnnecEonalisnls through families
and the race are 30 battling and difficult
10 trace, and yet IL is through these
that very much OF evil flows 10 the In
dividual The unthinking sufferer cries
cut in his aifiictiOn and against God,
why, what have l done 10 merit this
Just as if suffering were Gods instru-
ment Of punishment used invariably to
meet out justice, or even vengeance for
definite sins committed Whereas, to
get at the whole field Of explanation the
sufferer should go on TO ask as well. what
have not done that God may want me
10 DO. what am / not that God wants
me 10 be, what have my father and
mother done or not dones What have
my ancestors, back at least TO the third
Of fourth generations. done or not done,
that / suffer sos What did Adam do
across the aeons upon sons reaching
back TO the very beginning of mans
lifes What is this mysterious connec-
tion that have with a shining, suffer
ing race Of mens
Now, this morning do not propose
an effort al the solution of the general
problem Of evil / suppose that to the
end of time this problem viii be with
u and men viii be giving their varying
answers 10 il. There VIII be men of
skeptical turn of mind who viii make
out of the fact of evil a charge against
the goodness Of God There VIII be
Tennyson's men Of strong faith.
who trusted Cod WAS love indeed,
And love creations final law
Tho nature red in tooth and claw
With rsTin. shrieked against bis creed
1t is rather my purpose this morning
to listen while Paul tells TO what uses
he put one Of Gods unexplained evils.
] shall not confuse you with the various
suggestions as to what Pauls thorn in
the flesh was 1t NAV have been weak
eyes, an impediment in his speech,
secret inclination to sin, or some him
drance TO his popularity. but l am sure
that do not know, and fear no one
else knows just exactly what it was
But it is sufficient that il was some
very severe feshly affection So that
be called it a messenger of satan, and he
prayed very earnestly TO have il taken
away. And the first thing to be noted
Is that Paul made use Of his thorn in
the flesh TO keep him humble. He was
not perplexing himself constantly to
know why he had it and how il hap
pened 10 have come TO him. but he
made use of it to keep him humble.
From all we know of Paul he was
just the kind Of man who could have
become very proud He had splendid
natural abilities, he was ambitious TO
be and do something in the world He
had a splendid educational training in
all that would fit him for preferment
among the ruling classes In the society
Of his time. And if Paul's viii had not
come into submission to Jesus Christ ii
would doubtless have become a very
proud and naughty will / think we
see that in his pre-christian experience
as prosecutor of the church Even in
christian things he had his temptations
in this direction We have heard him