The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-31
CLOSE or MEETING.
Dr. Vance Preached Two Sermons at
 Central Church.

Dr. Vance Preached Two Sermons at
 Central Church. pr. James I. Vance preached yesterday the last two sermons in the series of ser- wees which he has been conducting at tue Central Presbyterian Church during the past two weeks.
 His text for the morning service was from list Peter, v, 10: ''The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his etef- nal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect. establish, strengthen, settle you"
 'I want" said Dr. Vance, Ito speak to you this morning, of the ascent of the Christian, in the climb toward God" He presented the line of thought. clear iy eonoisely. and interestingly.
 "God wants his people to be perfect, " Raid pr. Vance, but no reflection is re- quired on the part of any one to see just how far short people fail of being what God wants them to be-"
 pr. Vance expressed, in forcefuI way, tlie idea that, as people, Christians are as the foot of the incline; at the top Is the goal--God and the Saviour; on the road between gre those who are striving 10 reach the goal.
 The three ateps, imperative to be taken in going up this ascent toward God, are first. Faith; second, Service; third, Peace"
 ''Faith is the start of the Christian life." said pr. Vance, "and the people who believe arc the people who achieve. God requires those who believe to do something. show me thy faith without thy works, and will show thee my faith by my works and again. 'Ye sec then how that by works a man is justl- fled. and not by faith only.
 The last, and crowning step. in the as- cent is Peace" and the most blessed thing Ieft by Jesus here was peace. Peace leave with you" The world tired to destroy ChTist's peace. but 1t could not
 pr. Vance said one great trouble with Christians is that they want 'psaca % at the first, but the peace" which comes from Jesus must come from Che exercise of faith" and tn the doing of e5od's ''service." These three steps must be taken in the divine order. and. when done so. the goal is certain to be reached
 The last beautiful thought was that at the top of the incline, God has gath cred together there the sweet angel Sing CTS. waiting to welcome those who make the ascent. but better far than all the an gels and the music is that God is there reaching out His hand to help the climb. CTS.
 pr. Vance preached his last sermon of the series at the Central Church last night to a large congregation.
 Rev. Neal r. Anderson, pastor of fife Central Church, spoke few words before the services in behalf of the eonRreRafIon of appreciation of the privilege of hearing the word of God as propounded bv Dr. Vance, and of gratitude for the pleasant circumstances surrounding the serviees during the entire two weeks.
 Dr. Vance spoke from his text found in the Acts of the Apostles xxs l6, aWhv Tarriest ThouF
 T bring a simple message to those who are lingering" he said; "those who are hesitating."
 It was the story Of PauPs conversf6n that pr. Vance told, Paul who had been d peFsecutOr of the church of Christ. bnt wi1o would now become a defender Ev- erything was against Paul, his past. hia entire record, but he was feariesa Fge cared not for the opinion of people. btas h,, then and there confessed Christ. Hs did net tauy-