The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-16
THREE YEARS
 OF SERVICE Anniversary ofInstallatiOn of pr. C. w. Patterson. NO FORMAL CELEBRATION Day Was Borne in Mind by Pastor and Congregation. At the Morning Service pr. Patterson Preached on the Text, ''Through
 God We shall Do vaIiantIy..
NO FORMAL CELEBRATION

Yesterday marked the third year of the pastorate of Rev c. w. Patterson D. D. over the First Presbyterian Church.
 While there was no formal celebration of this fact is was borne in mind by all of the immense congregation at the reg ular communion services of the Church yesterday. It was laso announced in the neat folder, published by the Church every week containing the announce ments. The three years of the services of Dr. Patterson have been signalled by an active policy. The church debtof several years standing has been liqui- dated, a new organ has been installed. an extensive improvements have been made in the interior of the Church.
 Rev. c. w. Patterson, DD., Reached Montgomery, three years ago yesterday and entered upon his active duties. The Church had been vacant for a year. with only occasional supplies. The congrcg- ation had, however, shown itself nobly loyal, an the Pastor soon felt the strength of its hearty support.
 Seeing the necessity of aggressive work, he at once suggested a plan of material improvement, and new or ganization, which was very heartily se- conded by the official numerbs of the con- gregation. and has received the substant- ial support o fthe people.
 Adebt of several years standing was paid, money was subscribed for Church improvements. and the work actively be- gun. The Church Auditorium has been greatly beautified. The splendid organ now in use was purchased, a new heat Ing plant installed, and the walls and ceiinf repaired and painted The work so begun has been brought to a sub stantial completion in the improvements lately finished, which consist in new floor. new carpet the regraining of ceiling repaired and painted. The work lights, and the exceedingly handsome new pews and wainscoting The Church home in comfort and beauty, now com pares favorabiy with any in the city or state.
 In all this work, which has been dif- ficult to carry out in all its details. the Pastor has enjoyed the hearty support of the officers and members of the Church, and he lovingly acknowledges their goodness and syInpothy.
 The spiritual interest of the Church have received careful attention. and the blessings of God has been enjoyed. Over one hundred and fifty new members have. been received into the Church, making the present enrolment five hundred and fifty-seven. sc
 The Church has been led to enter the Forward Movement for Foreign Mission with largely increased gifts to, this cause. The Sabbath School work has re- 'ceived special attention, and the en- rollment and attendance has been great ly increased. 7l -.s-
 The funds raised and expended during the three years have amounted in round numbers to twenty-four thousand dol lars.
 The Church and Pastor take great de- light in what has been accomplished, and the determination is no doubt fixed in every heart to carry the effort to a triumphant issue
 At the morning service Dr. Patter- son preached from the following text: Psalm ix. 12. Through God we shall do valiantly."
 "one might be pardoned," said pr. Patterson, If, on reaching time which marks the conclusion of a pe- riod of distinct and strenuous effort. there was slight indulgence in ret rospection. To look back today over three years of a pastorate happily be- gun. and, through Gods help, and the sympathies and cooperation of His people. pleasantly continued, would be grateful to me. and possibly not with out profit to you.
 But the accent of preaching should be on the future. There lies the field of hope; there stretches the path of ac- complishment.
 While in the past three years of as- sociated effort we have been permitted to see the fruition of many hopes. to- day is not entirely one of rest The future insistently calls us. It is al- ways so. Eternity differs not from time in this respect. There will al- ways be a something beyond" wheth- CT in experience of grace, or in fulfil ment of the obligations of life, there will always be more to follow.
 For this reason I have chosen for this morning a text which distinctly points forward. Its Headings are into the field of activity, not into the sphere 0f or ffAna finV1 ol. a..o tained.
 But after all. the best of life is in its struggles. There is goodness in toll, an exhilaration in battle to which the quiet satisfaction of accomplish ment can in no sense be compared Strife stimulates strength bearing burdens reveals power Doing reveals the true character of our being. Life is a struggle, a toll and 1t is best that 1t should be so.
 In facing life from this point of view the demand Is felt for a reveIa- ton of the true source of strength. We need to know from what direction is to come into oar lives the force that makes them effective. Whence are we to derive the power that is to make us triumphant in the struggle, successful In the toll?
 He who depends on his own courage 70 carry nlm through the DdLLle or lire. at some point will make a failure. Man is sufficient for much; he is not suffi- cient for all Through many a danger he may walk strongly and confidently. To many a task he may set his strength and find 1t enough. But there will come time. there will arise a condition, in the face of which he will find himself weak. Some situation he must face In the stare of which he will find his heart to fail. Self dependence is not the way of wisdom
 He who depends on the courage and strength of those associated with him will at some time or other make fail ure. Helpful he will often find them Two are better than one, and a three- fold cord is not easily broken" But he who depends on the courage of his people, who leans on their steadfast- ness as his support, will find them sometimes surprised. Will find them coming to him In discouragement and fear, asking help from him, just at the time when he needs their help the most Even the associated strength of men Is not enough. An army .demoraI- ized Is even more helpless than an in- dividual panic-stricken.
 He who depends on material equip- ment, on excellent and suited appIi- ances for work and battle will sooner or later fail. There are spiritual ele- ments in the situations which he must face. and against them material things are powerless. It should not need to be stated that material equipment con- stitutes no agency It is the instru-