The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-29
DR. SHOAFF BREACHES
HIS FIRST SERMON AT DEXTER
 AVENUE CHURCH.
New Pastor Greeted by Large Con- gregations Sunday-Returned to opelika to Remove His
 Family Here.

large congregation greeted Rev. J. W. Shoaff, D. D., when he preached his first sermon as pastor of the Dexter Avenue Methodist Church Sunday morning.
 Dr. Shoaff took for his text the 11th and 12th verses of the first chapter of Galatians: But I certify you brethren that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man, For neither received it of man neither was I taught it, but by the Revelations of Jesus Christ"
 He said in part:
 "In the preceding context we have Paul's vindication of his apostolic office. He designates himself as an apostle not of man. neither by man but Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead. Miraculously stopped in his persecution of the early church-obedient to the heavenly vision, which met and overwhelmed him oh his way to Damas- GUS, Paul was made a chosen vessel to make known the gospel unto the gentle. His call to the apostleship was immedi- ate and divine.
 "He emphatically declared it pleased God who separated me from my mother 8 womb to reveal His Son In me that I might preach him among the heather. But not only did Paul vindlcate the au- thority of his apostleship. but also the divinity of the gospel he preached. But I certify you brethren that the gospel that was preached of me Is not after man neither was I taught it but by the reve- lation of Jesus Christ.
 "No 1oubt Christ appeared unto him personally and delivered unto him the credentials of his office and taught him the great system of'truth which meets us in these wonderful epistles. As I appear before you this morning come to preach the gospel of the blessed God which finds its indubitable proof in his person and work as God manifest in the flesh. This was true of the whole sweep of Christ 8 historic manipulations, but I simply de- sire to trace the consistency between his teaching clauses as God manifest in the flesh.
 His classics were unparalleled He whose goings forth were of old from ev- erlasting came forth from Bethlehem un- to Judah and placed on the hands of the swift winged angel fly in the midst of apocalyptic vision the everlasting gospel to preac hto every kindred tribe and ton que. Christ having assumed such devine- ly professed relations differentiates him self from all teachers who preceded him and also from all who followed him. There are several facts which will serve to impress us with the consistency of
  nifty of his claims
 "The mystery of the incarnation fulfilled the profoundest anticipations of the race. He was the desire of all nations. When the Eternal Son stopped to the manager of Bethlehem the lOngings of the race were met and answered fourscore.
 "The sinless character of Christ harmo- nized with the mystery of his person. He was not only sinless man. but the sane c l,ls kI,a the Son of God. True his divinity did not coerce his humanity but in him dwelt all the fulness of the God-head bodily. His limitations in the flesh. His method of rendering truth. and the consummatiOn of hts sacrificial work all correspond with the mystery of the incarnation.
 This is no less true of the provisions made for the publication of the gospel If they are human at the same time they are divine, We have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.
 We come not preaching another gos- pei but the gospel which was in the be- ginning. is now and ever shall be world without end. teach you hear its claims and heed the voice of Him who walgs amongst the golden candlestutor of the churches. Embalm the Christ we preach in heart and affection and the gospel WHICH IS stronger than the gates or neaV- on will exalt you to eternal mystery and glory
 Dr. Shoaff preached another strong ser mon to large congregation at the night service.
 Yesterday morning Dr. Shoaff went to Opeika to make arrangements for re- moving his family to Montgomery.
 Rev. A. l.. Andrews, n. D.. former pastor of the Dexter Avenue Church preached his first sermon as pastor of the Church Street church. Selma, yesterday morning. His family will remove to Sel- ma in a few days