Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-08
FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN.
Sermon by Rev. John B. Kelly Of saz-
anac, N. r, Yesterday.

Rev. John B. Kelly Of Saranac, N. T.,
occupied the pulpit Of the Fourth Presby-
terrain Church. of which his father is pas
tor. yesterday morning. taking for his text
Matt. 11:11-''Verily I say unto you. among
them that are born of women. there hath
not arisen greater than John the Bap-
list"
III you will look into the life OF John the
Baptist" said Mr.. Kelly. you will see the
, reason for this eulogy of our Lord. Ger
tain great principles underlay the charac-
ter of the man. He knew his own nmi-
tations-the temptation to make of HIM
self more than God intended he should
De. He realized that there were posi-
tended for him. Alive to these thoughts,
ne was contented to fill his own place. to
occupy his particular sphere. Ambition is
well In Its place; without 1t man sinks to
him 1t was no lowering or unworthy i'm
pulse. He kept it and himself under con-
troll. Ambition should have free scope
when its aims are legitimate. Beyond
that the line is to be drawn. Glorifica-
ton OF God, not self. should be the motive.
Too often men covet power and influence.
that through these, control of others may
be obtained. This end becomes a dream,
passion obtainable by any means what
soever. He did not crave power unless it
was right that he should have 1t. This
is distinct from the world principle. but al
lied to that announced by the tempted
Christ
John was of a priestly family and there
doomed before him the priestly possibility
of the great atonement service for his ma
ton. 1t was in the spiritual realm that
his life was cast-there his legitimate
sphere. Another fact realized by John was
his realization Of the possibilities of life.
The hardest schooling is that Of experience.
Possibilities lie concealed in each human
life as the petals of the rose lie undisclosed
in the bud. Sunshine, rain and breeze must
develop and unfold the bloom. The eaglet
is the ugliest Of fowls, but 1t comes to
its glory by battling with the elements and
overcoming obstacles until with free course
it sweeps the skies How shall each one
discover, such possibilities and make the
most of self! Let no man say l have no
chance. Life is a school, a progress, a
growth, as the child which comes into this
world stranger. becomes its citizen. By
and by the curtain drops over the grave.
Beyond, however, open up the vast pos
sble glories of the new Kingdom There
fore, in this earth period we are to make
the most Of life; watch for opportunity.
John cared only for service. For this he
braved Herod. Mere animal life was moth
ing to him; therefore he was bold. Life,
though brief, was potent with him as with
our Savior. Every day and hour counted
for the most. Why should not this be so
with US? John was contented to be him.
self; nothing less, nothing more ne was
possessed of the great idea of develop
ing his own possibilities within their limi-
tations. His ideal was the twofold one
righteousness and usefulness, holiness and
helpfulness.
Sermons are nothing unless the life be
back of them. Practice must square with
precept We each have limitations, temp
tai bns, weaknesses, but to each of us also
come sublime possibilities redeeming life
from the small and commonplace. With
cpin nj
neither growth in grace nor efficient work
for Cod