The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-23
COMMENCEMENT AT HOWARD HAS BEGUN pr. J. |. Gross of Selma Breaches Eloquent Sermon ROYAL RULE OF LOYAL LIFE Second Text Says: "rm Afraid of My Shadow as it Might Fall With
 6llehtlno Influence on
 Some Passing Life"
ROYAL RULE OF LOYAL LIFE


 Gross, pastor of the First Baptist church of Selma. The East Lake Baptist church, in which the services were held was crowded to oyerhowing. Dr. Gross is very forclble pulpit orator. His theme was "The Royal Rule of Loyal Life"
 His sermon was full of advance thought and he held the rapt attention of hearers at all times.
 His text and sermon follows:
 Text, Mat. 24:42 'He saved others; l Himself he cannot save" and Acts 5:15. That at least the shadows of Peter passing by night overshadow some of them"
 I'm afraid of my own shadow-as it might fall with blighting influence on some passing life"
 The words of the second text refer to an incident in stirring times. Jerusalem had just been shaken from centre to circumference by the tragedy on Calvary where One who was esteemed by the common people to be the Messiah, the Son of David, had been put to death by the leaders as vile impostor and de- ceiver. But a persistent rumor to the eff feet that this supposed deceiver had risen from the dead could not be downed. h. deed there were many witnesses who constantly affirmed that they had seen Him alive many times since His passion. And to make the matter worse their testimony was made stronger by their ability to perform miracles in His name. A handkerchief taken from their persons and laid on sick people effected a cure So great became the reputation of Peter that people were brought on beds and couches and laid in the streets that at least the shadow of Peter passing by nights overshadow some of them, and when he came they were healed.
 Casting a Shadow.
 Like Peter we all cast a shadow as we walk the pathway of life, but alas, with us sometimes they curse instead of cure. We all cast shadows whether we are aware of it or not and even though we may try not to. A hermit is talked about From the cradle to the grave as we pass through life we touch others as a bane or blessing.
 The power to influence Is both universal and lneradicable. We may try but we cannot wash our hands of this power Pilate tried but failed. Influence is not dependent altogether upon circumstances or conditions
 l man need not be rich or specially gifted to be a great helpful factor in the world. Some obscure characters have shaped great lives. Neither need a man be cultured, rich or special gifted to send forth streams of pollution. A barkeeper for instance
 The nature of the influence will depend upon the character of the heart. A good heart a good stream of influence. An evil heart a bad stream of influence.
 The Dead Sea, place of dreariness l and death because 1t gives nothing forth; beautiful blue Gallilee, place of song and joy, 1t receives in order to give forth.
 An Evil Influence.
 No man has the right to exercise an | evil influence. Liberty Is freedom to do right but never license to do wrong. Whenever man goes beyond the bor- ders of the golden rule he trespasses upon someone else's rights and. too, becomes wrong doer.
 An injunction will lie against my neighbor if he pollutes the stream on my farm. Every life is a stream, all run ming into the great river of humanity and when a man polutes the stream of his own life he ruins other lives and so be- comes a wrong doer. We can not pass through the world alone; but as we go along the arms of our influence are ex- | tended and we take others with us either upward or downward.
 Liberty needs a new definition If Amer lea is to lead the world in highest liv- ing and thinking.
 1 Again. no man has right to live a negative life. Life Is the gift of God and It's great powers must be used for the uplifting of humanity or there Is sin full waste.
 Every life is the heritage of human ity in common. It's as free in certain lines as the air. because it touches every ether life.
 One might as justly claim the atmos- phere as to think that he can use his life exclusively for self. For every life creates an atmosphere breathed by the world. It must be good and pure or else harm will come.
 Every life is a true estate to be ads ministered for the good of humanity, and the glory of God If some man should will me $l0O 900 in trust to help educate young men and I spend it on myself would be thief and a robber, the great est estate is a human life, throbbing with power and influence. An engine cap able of bearing humanitys burdens.
 These great gifts have been bestowed upon us by Him in whom we live and move, and have our being for the good of humanity. Is it any less robbing to waste them on ourselves?
 Royal Rule of Life.
 What then Is the royal rule Of life? To serve others. To place ourselves ID line with Him of whom 1t was said. "he saved others; Himself he cannot save"
 When we speak of losing or sacrificing self some thing of weak, unworthy, small self reluctantly sacrificed for some sort of gain. Not so. Bring your best self enlarged. strengthened, ennobled not as slave, but with victor's tread and joyfully consecrate it to humanity and God and you shall enter into large life through the death of self. For If grain of wheat full into the ground will die. It shall bring forth a great harvest.
 This is the only life worthy t,ic pos abilities and potentialities of a human tI. rf Coa ,b1