The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1902-05-30
SERMONS OF THE DAY
Preachers Draw Helpful Lessons
from the Martinique Horror.
Business and Religion-Rev. G. Cam
bell Morgan Personal Con-
scfOusness of God - The
Power of the Cross.

''The universal sympathy of the
world is one of the most hopeful signs
of the coming of the kingdom of
Heaven on EARTH" declares Rev. DIR.
Joseph X. Mason, of Chicago. when
this same compassion toward the un-
fortunate is called forth, not by the
unusual, as in this sad event, but by
the poor, who are always with u.s.
it will be happy day for humanity.
Such calamities are not the evidence
of Divine wrath, as some are saying.
but the token rather of an impartial
benevolence and wisdom. The calam-
ity of the comparatively few, dread
full as it is, is the salvation of the
many, for volcanoes are natures
safety valves.
1--WE shall learn some day not to defy
the laws of God in nature and in NOR
ais. All things are ours if we are on
Gods side, but if we build our cities on
the sides of volcanoes or our nations
on corrupt and selfish principles which
disregard the rights of the people. or
our personal characters on defiance of
conscience. which is the voice of God
within the soul of man, we must ex-
pect calamity and suffering"
In conclusion, the preacher spoke of
the tender sympathy all men must feel
for the sufferers in such a calamity
as that of Martinique, and of the de-
pressed sense of possibility coming
to those who dwell in lands where such
visitations of nature are unknown.
Mans True Greatness.
'The recent horror in Martinique" "
says Rev. L. A. Crandall, d. D., ''com-
pels a pause and serious thinking
about mans boasted greatness. With
the coming of a new century we have
been busy recounting mans victories
over the forces of nature; now nature
wipes out of existence 10000 people in
80 seconds of time, as if to compel
recognition of her supremacy. Man
builds wonderful bridges, rears mag
nificent cities, binds steam, chains
electricity, but when nature puts forth
her useful forces the works of men
go down in utter ruin. Mans great
ness cannot safely be built upon the
place which he occupies in the uni
verse. This world. which is his home
is but an insignificant speck among
the countless worlds which hang in
kspace. Man himself is but for little
hour and then goes down to decay
and dust. No wonder that the psalm
ist, looking upon the wonders of the
star-sown sky, cried out: What is
man that thou art mindful of him :?
| Mans true greatness lies in the fact
that the Infinite is mindful of him."
"The volcano is now phenomena
according to Rev. Johnston Myers
Earthquakes have rocked the world
again and again. The cyclones have
desolated the dwellings of men. The
floods have swept away cities and
towns. The burning sun has made a
desert of the gardens. The cold ha:
frozen the harvests. God has not giver
us secure place in this world. He has
| declared that "we have here no con
tinuing city" We act, however, as
| though we were to remain where we
now live. This life is only the frag
ment of life. We treat it as though il
were all. We build and plan as the
children in the sand upon the sea shore
only to have the next wave destroy oul
| toys. In view of death coming to us
| suddenly and in some unexpected way
we would keep in close relation to the
| Christ who conquered DEATH"