The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-13
REV, DR, WHARTON
 ATTRACTS CROWDS Popular Evangelist Addresses Three Immense Audiences BEGINS A REVIVAL SERIES pr. Wharton Makes Fine impression. Tells of Birmineham's Marked
 Growth Since He Was Here
 Twelve Years Ago.

l. The Rev. Dr. H. M. Wharton, the noted evangelist. began series of meetings at the First Baptist church yesterday. He delivered three discourses-the first at the First Baptist church at the II o'clock services. the second at the Bijou theatre under the auspices of the Young Mems Christian association, and the third at the First Baptist church at night. He was greeted by large and apprecatve crowds on each occasion. The spacious First Baptist auditorium was completely filled both morning and night and all the seats at the Bijou were occupied at 3:so D. m., the audience being composed en- tirely of men.
 Dr. Wharton Is said to be the most popular evangelist in the United States to- | day. Of exceptionally manly physique, he | is naturally impressive In appearance, but his drawing power-his influence over men-may be accounted for perhaps by his knowledge of the world. his quiet gentle manner, his native wit and his earnest desire to help men to a better | life.
 At the Church. Dr. Wharton's theme at the First Bap- tist church in the morning was: "The Profit of Being a Christian" He took his text from I Corinthians, 3;2l-23 | Therefore let no man glory in men, for all things are yours. whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas or the world or life or death, or things present. or things to come, all are yours and ye are Christ's and Christ Is Gods"
 | Dr. Wharton interspersed his sermon | with frequent anecdotes and illustrations. He said fin part:
 | This is an age when men inquire whether a thing pays. They naturally ask. Does Christianity Pay?" So the apostle gives here an inventory of the benefits of Christianity All things are yours, and the first blessing cited is the ministry. Churches have always been prone to quarrel over preachers. Some, like Paul, are deep reasoners, profoundly spiritual and overwhelming in their argu- ments; others like Apollos are eloquent; oratorical and rhetorical; others like Cephas are poetcal, strong and human.
 Some liked one preacher, some another. but they all belonged to them. One thing might be said about the gospel ministry in spite of all our failings, Is that you would miss us if we were gone We are among the blessings of life, at your bed- side, at your grave, when you are in trouble we are yours for what we are. Another item in the inventory Is the world" All of the world is ours in Christ. God never asked us to forsake | tt but rather bids us use 1t as not abusing it. The world never looks so bright a blessing as when seen with Christian eyes.
 Still another item is life, not merely a few years on earth. but life that but the more triumphs over death and grows brighter and brighter in the new body. | the life and immortality which Jesus brought to light, life for the scenes of earth and yet the more for those of glory. Another item of the inventory, strange to | say, is "death,' where the Christian also | triumps.
 Mir. Moody's Death. | To illustrate the point, Dr. Wharton here told of the death of MT. Moody, who called the day of his death "his corona ton day"
 Continuing he said: Things present are | ours and things to come. Out of the glad enjoyment of the present we rise to greet | the happier future. Even the other world where we shall meet our reward and greet the loved ones gone before. All these are ours with a fuller riches ownership in Christ. The Lord told Peter that those who forsake all and follow Him shall In | this present receive an hundred fold and in the world to come life everlasting. | There are an hundred fold more ours, when we are Christ's and Christ Is God S.
 Many were moved by the speakers illus | trations of the blessings of being Chris tian. He was specially happy in his bringing out the benefits of Christianity in concrete experiences which were in- terspersed in his sermon
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