The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-06
DEEP INTEREST IN SCRIPTURE TRUTHS 0r. Graves Makes Strong lm-
 preSSIon as ExhOrter THOUGHTFUL DISC0URSES A Sermon Yesterday on the Christians safety-several Very Striking
 tratlons-Meetlnes to
 Continue This Week.
THOUGHTFUL OISC0URSES

A series of meetings have been held within the past week at the Central Pres byterian church, corner of Fifth avenue and Eighteenth street, which have been of peculiar interest and profit to those in attendance.
 The Rev Dr. l.. s. Handley, the pas tor, has been ably assisted by the Rev. Dr. r. R. Graves, pastor of the First Presbyterian church at Courtland, Ala The meetings began on last Monday even ing upon the arrival of Dr. Graves, and have continued through the week with an afternoon service and evening service daily.
 It was the intention originally to have only the weeks meetings, preceding the communion service held yesterday, as Is the custom upon the first Sunday in Ap- ril but the meetings have grown in in- terest to the members of the church and friends of the congregation to such an extent that the session decided to con- tinue the services throughout the present week. They will be held each day at 3:S0 p. m. and 7:45 D. m, and not only the church members are being cordially urged to attend, but an earnest invitation is extended to the citizens of Birmingham.
 A cultured person who has attended the meetings said last night:
 During the past week the Rev. Dr. Graves has delivered a number of thoughtful and able talks upon some of the most precious promises of the word of God: and his encouraging and inspir- ing words to church members as well as his persuasive promises to non-members have filled the minds and hearts Of his hearers with deepest edifieation. Dr. Graves is a conscientious and thoughtful student of the Bible, gleaning oftentimes beauties and promises in Gods word that would be lost to a less appreciative and scholarly reader And this peculiar abil- ity to search out beautiful truths and thoughts in familiar passages and liken them to the leading characteristics in the life of Christ of the precious promises in His word, adds wonderful force to his discourses and makes them unusually impressive Dr. Graves passages show a scholarly grasp of his subjects which
  depreciation, while his easy, graceful tender conversational delivery lends un- usual charm and power to all his talks He is entirely free of mannerisms that often in a stranger require an effort on the part of his hearers to overlook
 Those who attended the meetings the past week have enjoyed an uplift and an inspiration which have proven blessing to each one"
 Sunday Morning Sermon.
 Dr. Graves sermon delivered yester- day morning follows:
 ''The Christians Safety" Text. Isaiah 43:1-4
 These words were addressed by God to His peculiar people of Israel But God has a peculiar people now, and to them also these words are applicable. All or Gods people now may consider these words written for the purpose of im- parting strength and inspiration to them.
 Notice that God does not promise free dom from trouble to His people. On the contrary, trials and afflictions are spoken of as if common to all mankind. And we all know from experience that this as- sumption is true, that no man Is free rom affliction and trouble.
  deep as rivers, rapid torrents, painful as flames; we may not be able to see the designs of providence in them, for often is it the case that our God is God who hides Himself"
 And for all of us the heavenly land, like Canaan to Israel in Egypt, lies beyond the sea and the wilderness, through which we must pass before we can enter in and possess it. But God says to His peo- ple Fear not.
 The natural tendency of trials is to excite fear, and this fear may be per fectly innocent. There is fear which, knowing the weakness of the human heart, leads one to shun the way of temptation, to avoid all unnecessary trial, and when these must be faced to circum- spection and prayer. There is another kind of fear, which is the outgrowth of an imperfect trust in God; which mani fests itself in mournings and despond- ency and wretchedness. This fear God tells us to avoid for there Is no cause for 1t.
 God enforces His exhortation with two precious promises:
 l. His presenee-"I will be with thee" There is that in our nature which craves sympathy We need the presence of a friend when in trouble. The sympathy may be awkwardly expressed, the help blunderingly given, but it is nevertheless appreciated Sometimes the simple pres ence of a friend, though no word be spoken. Is a source of comfort. God is the best of friends. He knows perfectly our nature, understands thor oughly the heart, knows the heaviness of the burden-the keenness of the sorrow, and can adapt Himself to every need. And lie says, T will be with thee" Ultimate Deliverance. 2 Assurance of ultimate deliverance.