The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1904-05-06
SUCCESSFUL Passionate.
Rev. c. n. Hanks Enters Upon His
Sixth Year.

Sunday morning Rev. Carlos H.
Hanks prefaced his sermon with the
statement that the day marked the be-
ginning of his sixth year as pastor of
the Congregational church of this city,
fact that seemed hard to realize. The
past five years have been very pleasant
ly spent by pastor and people, and the
spirit of harmony has been marked.
The years have been busy ones. as the
following will testify. During the five
years pastorate there have been 202 add
ditions to the church; SO adults and
3S infants have been baptized; the pas
tor has OBLIGATED at 152 weddings and
spoken words of comfort on 247 funeral
occasions; he has made over 1900 pastor
al calls, preached 400 sermons and made
public addresses on 148 other occasions
These figures are but the outward ap-
pearance of the earnest work of Rev.
Hanks as pastor, and it is not saying
too much to state that no other pastor
who has ever served an Owosso church
has held a closer place in the affections
not only of his immediate congregation,
but of the community as well. The SER
vices yesterday were attended by large
audiences, and were of a very interest
ing character. In the morning Rev.
Hanks preached ON the theme "The
Way to the Heights" having for his
text II Peter 1:1S, and said, among
other things, st. Peter was man of i'm
petuous disposition of passionate life.
He is of special interest to US from the
fact that he represents certain ten
depcy of life There are contrasts in all
our lives. One day there is exaltation,
perhaps the very next there is depres-
sion. Like Peter, we go far up and we
go far down. Today we are on the
mountain top, tomorrow we are in the
valley. How can we reach the upper
plane of life and live there2 How did
Peter reach that splendid result? Let
us not forget that Peter worshiped.
If we would find the heights we must
give ourselves to worship. In the pre-
face to his Recollection" Renan says:
Zone of the most popular legends in
Brittany is that relating to an imaginary
town called Is, which is supposed to
have been swallowed up by the sea at
some unknown time. There are several
places along the coast which are point
ed out as the site of this imaginary city,
and the fishermen have many strange
tales to tell of it. According to them,
the tips of the spires of the churches
may be seen in the hollows of the waves
when the sea is rough, while during
calm the music of the bells rises above
the waters. often fancy in my calm
er moments that have at the bottom
of my heart city of Is with its bells
calling me t. devotion. At times 1 stop
to listen to these gentle murmurings,
which seem to come from hidden depths,
like voices from another world" In all
our hearts is there not such city with
its bells calling us to worship?
Let US not forget that Peter worked.
Wherever he was he was leading men
up to the heights. What can open the
fountains of hope and sunshine? Only
the work of love. Look into the bur-
dens, needs and sorrows of others, and,
according to your ability, minister to all
such and you will find yourself on the
upward way. May the words of Jesus
be true of us ALL "My Father worketh
hitherto, and I work" And through
worship and work may we little by
little gain the heights and live there.