Los Angeles herald., 1905-12-01
Hold Union Service

F1OIu OT1IOII SClNlSC
A union Thanksgiving service was
held at st. Paul's pro-cathedral yes
terday morning, which was largely at
tended. Rev. Stephen Sherman, jr.,
rector of ST. Athanasius church.
preached the sermon on the Life of
ST. Paul" He said:
1.-THE reason for the thankful spirit
in st. PauIs life could be found in
the way in which he viewed life; his
outlook upon it. He had tested it at
every point, as a rich young Hebrew,
as one high in the favor of the Jews;
as a convert; a recluse; refugee; a
missioner; shipwreck; as one sem
fenced to death, and he could pro-
nounce it good. First, every good gift
was from above. If a man was an
apostle it was because God had given
him the gift of apoStleship, and he
must make use of that gift as faith
full steward. If man was teacher 1T
was because God had given him the
gift for teaching and he must make
use of the gift as faithful steward.
The talent was the call. Every good
gift was from above and came down
from the father of lights. This was
true not only of human faculties, but
likewise of the way in which all nature
ninistered to mans needs: For this
he could give thinks.
st Paul had grasped the purpose
of life. 1t was the formation of Chris
tian character. This was something
very different from the old life Of
legalism it's vague. ill-deiined, point
less struggle after righteousness some
thing very different from centrality-
strength of mind, purity and goodness
of heart, firmness and Willingness of
hand; something very different from
the deposit of conduct, the DISPOSE
n fad In fnR.
good. This was only part. Character
was the Christ--life in him. 1t had
entered his soul. He saw, or rather
felt the sweep of life. He was not en-
barked merely on an earthly voyage,
but his course was set so that he should
be carried far out upon the sea Of
eternity. Therefore, as touching the
question of futurity, he did not argue,
as some skilled logician in our own
time would do.
1--WE live for the most part three.
score years and ten and yet there
are none who in laying down their
lives are able to affirm they have
accomplished all they wished to do,
We see all around us those called to
their final rest, the ones who because
of their usefulness and endearments
have, we believe, the best want to
live. The great engineer of the Brook
lyn bridge barely lives to see the mag
nificent span in working order. Abra-
ham Lincoln is shot down at the zenith
of his career, and this after life of
anxiety, toll and hardship President
Mckinley Is assassinated at an hour
when with ripest development of his
powers he could be an instrument OF
larger service for his country. These
are life's withheld compilations. What
then must we conclude? Either an
other life which shall enable us to
complete the structure or else impugn
the justice of God, who, in having
given us the life and power to com
plete a good work, has with one crush
ing blow dashed it all into remorseless
matter. Now st. Paul did not argue
thus Taking his stand upon his own
| life-experience, appealing to that
which was highest and best in him, ne
! let his intellect do battle with his
faith. Not l live but Christ Jesus
| lives within me-