The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-16
VALUABLE LESSON
 TAUGHT BY UzzIAH.
The Rev. 0r. Sterling J. Foster
 Breaches Strong Sermon
SOUTH HIGHLANDS CHURCH
Discusses the Advantages of Learning the Principles of Self and Draws Strong Deductions from
 Lessons from the Bible.

| The Rev. Dr. Sterling J. Foster preached an eloquent sermon to a large congrega- tion at the South Highlands Presbyterian church yesterday. He said:
 He was marvelously helped until he was strong-2d Chron. 26:15.
 "The early years of the reign of Uzzah were among the most brilliant of all the kings of Judah. Ascending the thrown at the early age of 16 years the good angels were at lis coronation. for success crowned him from the beginning. He im- mediately put down all ineipent revolts in his own kingdom and won the hearts of his own people Then he turned his at tention to the hereditary enemies of the ration. the Amorltes and Phillestines. and won easy victories over each. Returning
 in triumph he devoted his energies to fortifylng his own borders. and even in- vented new engines of defense. He then became a patron of the arts and sciences, and interested himself in improving the agriculture and husbandry of the land digging wells throughout the kingdom Thus did the nation prosper and the land | bossomed as the rose. Never since the days of Solomon had so great a king sat upon the throne.
 A Sudden End to Prosperity.
 "Then there came sudden period to his prosperity. and the sun that rose in the morning with such brilliancy went into eclipse at midday, and slowly sank to the west amid trailing clouds of failure and disease.
 Why this prosperity continued thus so many years, and why this sudden reversal of fortune?
 "The secret of both his success and failure Is found in the obscure prophet. Zeeheriah, his guide, philosopher and friend He it was who stood by his side as councillor throughout the years of his success, and losing him, he lost all. For this was a true prophet of God, who had the open version, who held communca- ton with the unseen world, and was to him marvellous help
 Gods Purpose.
 q find in the career of this ancient king, Gods purpose for every life. All the help and care lavished upon him was in order that he might become strong. And this is the supreme end of every life | Nothing in all the universe is more pitt ful than a weakling. The glory of man. hood Is it's strength And to make us strong God bends His vast energies and almighty powers. However we may suc- ceed In the various walks of life, to fail to grow strong is to fail in all. "Oh east is east and west is west, And never twain shall meet, Till earth and sky stand presently Before Gods judgment seat. But there is neither east nor west, Border nor breed nor birth When two strong men stand face to face.
 'Though they come from the ends of the earth
 ''2. I find not only Gods purpose, but the 1 method He pursues to accomplish it. He was marvelousy helped. He was super | naturally assisted throughout those bril- | liant years of prosperity. Buttressed and l supported, He had the supreme oppor- tunity to learn to stand alone. Thus does God support us in the early years of life During the period of infancy and childhood we are surrounded by influences parental by al the wise provisions of the economy of God. and upon these we lean. But it is not intended or designed that these shall remain with us to the | end
 Principles of Self.
 Sad, indeed, is it for him, who during | this period of care and support, learns | none of the principles of self reliance. ] nor the ability to stand alone. For all | too soon these are removed, parents | leave us. friends fall by our side, and To! we are left to face life and it's tremen- dous problems and commanding obliga- tions-alone All to often we imagine that | because these marvellous help, the sup ports and bulwarks are gone. that God has left us that His presence has been only dream Like this old king we imagine that we have been the architect of our fortunes thus far and our suc- cesses, if we have had them have been due to our powers only, and then when failure comes, desire invades we fall be- fore it all. in Respondent despair. un- equal to the demands upon us, all the educational process of God Is lost.
 "Masillon was the greatest preacher of France during the seventeenth cenutry. It was of him that Louis XIV said: l never listen to Masillon, that I am not the more dissatisfied with myself Called to preach DeIOfe IllS HlBHly HnOLdfcn | for the first time, this young monk was undismayed. Sir, said he, if the world should address your majesty from this place it would say Happy that king who has never fought but to con ouer; who has filled the universe with his fame, the wisdom of his laws the magnihcerce of his court" But, sir, the gospel does not speak the language of the world but says rather, Blessed are the poor in spirit. for theirs is the king dom of God Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil concerning you falsely. for My name sake; rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for so persecuted they the prophets before you ' He that heareth these sayings of Mine and doeth them. l shall liken him to the wise man who built his house upon the rock, and when the rains descended, and the floods beat and the wind blew, it fell not for 1t was found- ed upon a rock But he who heareth My words and doeth them not. I shall liken him to the foolish man who built his house upon the sands, and when the winds blew and the floods descended and beat upon 1t, 1t fell, and great was the fall thereof"
 Thus did the young preacher proclaim