The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-04-24
ST. Mary,s.

Large congregations attended st.
Mary's-on- the-Highlands yesterday at all
services, more people receiving Holy COM
munion at 1880 a. m. than at II a. m. The
Offering was liberal for the church mis-
sions in Alabama and the rector accept
ed for the congregation a handsome new
alter which was presented by a yestry-
man as a sacred memorial The childrens
service was attended by a large number
and the services was spiritual celebra-
ton. The children's offering amounted to
nearly $500
The Rev. J. w. Cantey Johnson oeeu-
pied the pulpit at all services. He took
for his subject 1.-THE Blessings of the
Resurrection"
His text was taken In part from Tim
othy lilo: Our Savior Jesus Christ,
who hath abolished death and brought
life and immortality to light
His sermon was the following:
1t is unfortunate that Easter Day has
become the opportunity in so many Chris
tian pulpts for argument about the risen
Jesus, or concerning some aspect of the
future life. 1t Is essentially day of
devotion TO the Risen Lord and you
are gathered here in the spirit of praise
and thanksgiving to Him for the great
things that lie hath wrought for you and
mankind by his victory over sin and
death.
Carefully constructed argument for the
whole or any part of Christian truth must
certainly have its place in the pulpit and
elsewhere, but 1t must also have its time.
For those who have sounded the depths
and the shadows in human life In the
days of Lent and Holy week, who have
in the spirit of abstinence and repent
ence, irresolve of self-denial and splendid
devotion, are inspired by the Christ upon
the cross. Easter, to meet their souls,
must truly be thanksgiving and praise
and supreme devotion to Him who ever
lives.
What then is Chrlsts enrichment of hu-
manity by His resurrection from the dead?
For what do we praise Him? st. Paul
tells St. Timothy that He hath abolish
ed death and brought life and immortal
ity to light" It is a direct statement of
the blessings of Christ, and every one of
these three blessings Is made sure from
His rising from the dead.
1t is my purpose to state the character
insofar possible. the extent of these
three blessings. These are the riches
wherewth have blessed us and for them
we bring our offerings and sing our
praises to the blessed Savior. In human
victories II Is the chaplet on the brow of
the Conqueror; in Christ's victory 1t is a
crown of gold, the praise of men that
Christ welcomes because it leads to hu-
manity's safety; yes, the crown of gold
in the place OF the crown of thorns. The
glorified cross of precious metals in the
place of the rude tree.
First, then, "IIe hath abolished death"
The loss of confidence that Gods ends
are to be accomplished In this world. the
pessimism that can know nothing but
failure, the distinction of every hope that
explains life, such was the condition of
the bond that dispersed broken hearted
from the foot of the cross. The death on
the cross Of their Saviour was no more
complete than their own. deafness of
spirit. Hopelessness is the worst death
that can befall us.
There are lives in this city of men and
women who were once as strong and
hopeful and, let me say, as prosperous
as yours, but these things have departed,
and when they meet you their cheerful
ness, and worse, their despair make
death so complete that some day when it
Is noised that they are dead you are
somehow glad that He claimed them.
That is one picture that any life, how
ever broken and disappointed. claims the
hope of deliverance from death that
Christ made possible, can know that
Christ. our Savior, hath abolished
death"
The other picture brings to the mind
the crosses and cruel persecution the