The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-26
AT CENTRAL CHURCH.
Dr. Vance Preached Two Eloquer
 Sermons


 Sermons.
 Dr. James I. Vance preached at the Central Presbyterian Church ytstorday two sermons that were simple, direct and powerful.
 The lessons for the morning serv!ca he read from Proverbs. the gosp,l of St Luke. 18th chapter and the spel O. St. John, 20th chapter.
 Dr. Vance found his text in the book of Proverbs and from 1t preached a ser1- on on a call to personal service fin leading souls to Christ. He spoke of the grea test aeel of peope. as being a change of heart that can come only through the workings of the spirit of Jesus Christ: of the way in which some people serve God, by expressing love for Him and then ask Ing that He give to them all their wants. which is not "sclvice" in any sanse of the word
 Dr. Vance spoke again of the great need in tine modern churches of tre true revival spirit; of a revival that will transform every individual member int worker for the Lord
 A specially important point brought O f WAS that if all who occupy the pews in the churches were to go out as personal witnesses for Jesus the whole world would he evangelzed not converted. The Scriptures make no such an assertion. but every person would be given a chanc. to become converted
 Another strong point that was impre s- siVe, was of the individual influence. pos sessed by every one. and that in tn g world there is some or that can be reached, only through tho influence of some other individual; that somewhere in this world some one is waiting for the touch of personal influence fr:m you." and that God has given to all a gift-a gift to use that personal infuenC {. for Ills good.
 Dr. Vance, in bringing out the fact that the work of converting souls cam [ be done until the realization is that with out Jesus, souls are lost told of an iu- stance of a ship being wre,k ,ked while in sight of nelp. The spectacle of the lost ship is no more terrible than the wreck of human souls, and the church nea s desperate earnestncss on the part of it's preachers, its teachers and it's members Three things necessary to fulfllment of Gods requirements of His people. said Dr. Eante are self forgetfulness." ." the baptism of the Holy Spi it and the spirit of Calvary"
 Dr. Vance preached last night to a large congregation, a sermon overflow ing with sympathy and understanding of the need of the people to whom he speaks.
 He read for the evenings lesson the 10th chapter or St. John, and took for his text the eleventh verse of the chap ter; T am the good shepherd; the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheen. |"
 The text, said Dr. Vance, lis Christ S portrait of himself and in 1t He described His mission in tho world" He outlined a beautiful picture of Christ, as the good shepherd, attending Hs flock through the heat and dangers of the day. int"rposing his life between that of his flock and all troubles and dangers and leading them at last. when the eventide comes, into the safety of the fold.
 The story was simply and beautifully told told with a compassion and an earnesIn'ss that touched the heart. The lesson ne taught was summed m in two verses: First: "I am the good shepherd and the good shepherd glveth his life for his sheep" story of heroism ana devotion on the part of the good shep- herd Second T am the good shepherd; know my sheep and am known of my sheep Know my sheep" a heauti- full thouEht-to be known of Jesus. ] OF' vance concluded the evening ser