The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-28
CHR|ST'S HUMILITY BEAUTIFUL LESSON The Rev. J.W Cantey Johnston Delivers Learned Sermon. SOME EXCELLENT MUSIC Palm Sunday Observed at St. Marys and Large Congregation Listens
 We'll Prepared Sermon
 by the Rector.
SOME EXCELLENT MUSIC

large congregation at the morning prayer and sermon service yesterday. Yes terday being Palm Sunday, the choir ren- dered some excellent music. MT. Johnston took as his theme. The Kings Humil- ity"
 His text and sermon follows:
 Phil. II, 5-6 (revisers versions Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being originally in the form of God. counted 1t not a thing to be grasped to be on an equality with God, but emptied Himself taking the form of servant, being made in the likeness of men,"
 The forty days of Lent will soon be con- cluded. If you have faithfully observed them in abstaining from Innocent pleas ures Cat all times from evil pleasures) in added hours spent in contemplation of God, and in examination or self, these in struments of denial have brought to you an awakened consciousness of the good ness of God, and of the sinfulness of self. With the sense of sin there Is the emotion of sorrow, or sorrow deeper than that of outward afflictions in the loss of things or of friends or relatives. And so we turn to God through Christ to find com fort for our souls in our distress, and In these last days of Lent strive so to enter into the work that Christ has done for us that our consciousness of sin may strengthen us in the service of God.
 Inspiring Lesson.
 We have today the inspiring lesson Of "sThe Kings Humility
 There are three flashes of it from the scriptures: first. St. Paul urges the Phil lippans to lay hold of the humility that is as Chrst's; to have in them the rii.nd which was also in Christ Jesus Is it pos sible for us even in our exalted moments to know the mind of the Son of God? Even now In our hour of prayer and praise, in the moment when hearts are laid open to more divine themes than office or store can suggest can we brethern open our eyes to vision of the mind of Christ? But St. Paul says Have" it. Possess 1t. Yes, possess even that sacred mental at titude which was Jesus in His eternal company with God, in His being origin ally in the form of God.
 Let us enter reverently such contem- plation. There, in the original life Of the God head, the Only Son, thought 1t not anything to be .grasped, not to be prized | for it's own sake, not a treasure to be kept useless but emptied Himself, seemingly of the joys and the bliss of the unallayed heavens, to know by experience the defiling contrast of the sons of men, taking the form of servant, being made in the likeness of men,"
 The apostle says Jesus thought it moi" Consider that a moment. It does seem that St. Paul is literally correct. There was no such thought In the Divine mind. In the fullness of times" there was &C., tion and the human mind of St. Paul ina zines a debate about that actien, it is the best that poor human speech can do. Brother Brooks in one of his sermons says that men speak of the remarkable act of Christ in being willing to save men; when in truth that there Is nothing re- markable about 1t. It would have been remarkable in view of mans sore need, if the Divine Son had not come in His fullness of love to mankind. And so say, brethren, that the Son thought it not" In the presence of God, there was God-like love. and out from the presence of God, God-like action.
 That is the Kings Humility Without hesitation He leaves His throne because the service of the King is necessary for the safety of the children of the Kingdom.
 Second Study.
 1 The second study scripture gives us today of this theme Is prophets words, , Reform greatly, o daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem, behold, l thy King cometh unto thee; He is just and having salvation lowly and riding upon an ass. and upon colt the foal of an ass" We turn to the evangellsts rec ord and find that the prophets words are true of the Saviour. Before the shout | ing on Olivet, they would have made him king, but then His triumphant march would have been as an earthly ruler and as king of great temporal claims, He would have ridden upon the horse In sig nifcance Of the might of warfare But over Olivet this morning as the children sing their Hossannas and the people strew Ills path with palms it is the King of Peace riding upon "a colt, the foal of an ass" A king in the consciousness of rule over the hearts of these people that call Him so, and a king, as con scousy He journeys to Calvary Ride on, ride on in Majesty.
 Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh; The Father on His Sapphire throne Expects His own anointed Son." Ride on! ride on in majesty.
 In lowly pomp, ride on to die. Rejoicing of Triumphant.
 Still another page of Holy Scripture is before us. The rejoicings of the triumph ant entry into Jerusalem are quickly con verted into curses and threats in the streets of the city. The growing wrath of His enemies is ready to spread itself in vengeance. They take Him to the palace of the high priests, to the court of Pilate. to Herod. again to Pilate, and then, having buffeted Him. and ridculed Him. they cruelty Him on Calvary's hill. Across the centuries we look upon that form hanging there with nails in its feet, and in It's hands and a spear pierced In its side. In His side, brethren for it is our Lord and Savior who is thus shame fully done to death. We strive to realize the glory of victory through suffering, as it is in that face hidden from us by all these centuries. Every shame Is put upon Jesus and as He hangs upon the cross. there is yet in His ears the ques- ton of Pilate: Art thou the king of the Jews?" and Jesus reply we remember: ssr,Io, cavoaf From inc foot of the