The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-05-17

had sealed the books. We have The
sorrows of Joseph. 1t is the most his
toric period in history. They are not
depending upon tIod-they are fight
ing their own battles. Just as you see
today the large per cent of the bust
ness men, men of success and virtue,
perfectly honest and trustworthy, and
yet they never darken a church door.
Hasn't been on his knees in prayer for
twenty years or over, his fife has not
been to church for five years. They
have no family prayers; they used to
say grace at the table, but all that is
stopped. They are absorbed in the
struggle for the family.
But turn over a few more pages, we
| have the New Testament. The old
Babylon has past away. The dead is
in the coffin and the babe is in the
cradle. A voice is heard speaking
through the ages. The old man, after
twenty years, totters back into the
church once again. The babe is born.
Or maybe young lady is here. We
have not seen her for months, why is
mother in the coffin. a new tesla
ment is indeed opened. 1t is a work
ing gospel. Luke offers sympathy,
John devotion, and we see the Book OF
Acts written over again. We see the
leader of the church, the largest con-
| trlbutOr, is one who for ten years never
went inside d church. The philosophy
| born of experience is behind him.
Then a few more pages. We have
the last book---the Book of Revela-
tons. A hush has come into life. The
| old man and woman hear the doors
open so as TO let in a child. So many
have past into the beyond and yet
the old pair sit, catching glimpses of
glory through the open door as the
1 l. -,
old wrinkled faces, they seem trans
formed with the glory of Christ and
you notice how marvelously beautiful
they are. And a voice sounds in their
ears. their hands fold and eyes close,
and the Book is written. The last page
is finished. The pen is rusty and will
write no more.
This Bible is a book that will be
opened through all the ages. 1t is the
library of Heaven. 1t tells of my story
and yours. OF all books l would have
YOU to use this Book. 1t is the great
romance of life, and the romance IS a
reality. Some prefer a novel, that
they may see how it turns out. Here
we have the greatest novel. 1t is
tragic and dramatic. 1t opens with
the little spot of blood on the serpents
head. the Hero is not yet born. You
follow the red spot, we see it again,
flo Wing from the vains of Abel On
the Mountain of Temptation the hero
ana Ne villain stand face to face. How
tren Nous the fight. And we see the
villa. NV he sneaks away and coils
himse a the mountain top. An
then COss descends and brushes
its hea, Z we see the hero at last
victoriot athed in the glory OF
Heaven.
Don't speak of the tragidty of the
novel where the wild horse rushes off
with the young girl and some one
catches the reins only in time to save
her. Is that dramatic. Then look to
this Book and see Joshua catching the
reins of the sun and holding it. See
/ the living God dying upon the cross.
This is Gods great romance and
tragidity. Let it fill your whole heart
and life and see the new Heaven and
new earth. And let the songs and hal
lalulas go on forever and forever and
pray that this Book may speak to your
heart more and more plainly
At the close of the sermon a solo
was rendered by Miss Alice Ham
mond, of the musical faculty OF the
Baptist Female University, tlfis being
With Broken and Contrite Spirit, ="
by Westendorf 1t was greatly en-
joyed.
Next DR.. Il. T. Vann, the president of
the Baptist Female University, led the
congregation in prayer, this being one
of general Thanksgiving and a petition
for greater blessings upon the school,
its faculty and its students. and that
the lives of the young women might be
sanctified into deeds of usefulness.
The final hymn and the benedic-
ton by DR.. Blackwell brought to a
close the events Of tho baccalaureate
sermon Of 1903. Tho congregation
waited while the student body fled
from the church, and the morning
| services were concluded.