Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1905-10-26
EPWORTH LEAGUE
ANNUAL CONVENTION.

DunoAnS VI reu anu WnlGe, the SOC1ety's
colors, and flowers, delegates repre-
senting nearly every Epworth League
in the Bridgeton district assembled
and began the exercises of the seven
teenth annual convention, Wednesday.
AT the opening service there was
congregation which fairly we'll filled
the large edifice.
The primary session was not as
lengthy as had been prepared for.
Rev. J. l.. Rice, of the Trinity SO.
clety, conducted love feast. Consid.
cradle interest was manifested and it
proved to be an inspiring and helpful
meeting. There was singing by the
congregation and announcements made
following which DR.. l.. l.. Hand, the
district president, Of MillvilIe, intro.
duced the speaker of the evening, Rev.
Edwin +. Ham, of North Wales. Pa.
Rev. Mr.. Ham was Bridgeton
boy, as he told in inroduction to his
remarks. In his words, ST was born
physically and spiritually in Bridge.
ton. John Wesley once spoke upon his.
fathers tombstone; now speak nearly
| within the shadow of my old
fathers" The words before those
beginning the discourse weresvery in.
teresting, having been concerning
Bridgeton as his former nome.
| The young pulpiter began by ex.
planning that his, text had been chosen
by the committee In chargesof the con.
vention. When an invitation was ex.
tended to him relative to making the
opening address, the text was sug
| gested and he accepted both. Il was
1.-THE Promised Perpetual Presence. !"
There are things" spoke Rev. Mr..
Ham, "of which we never tire. The
majestic mountains with their thrill.
ing splendor; the rolling ocean with
its expansive beauty; the rising and
setting of the sun. sand especially is it
true Of the promised perpetualspres.
ence. Christ before ascending into
heaven was bidding the disciples fare
we'll and as they seemed heartbroken
and dist sessed to part with the Friend
who hadswalked with them. He said,
'Lo, am with you always. even unto
the end Of the earth. From this we
get the promise and take the quotation
as the subject of my remarks"
He continued, saying that Christ is
at the right hand OF God. "Then, !"
interrogated the sreaker, eff he is
there, how IN he here with us? Does
He abide in memory" He explained
that memory Of great and good men
has shaped many characters. Refer.
ence was made to national leaders, to
heroes of ancient history and to the
inspirations of departed mothers s
memory; but He dwells not here in
memory.
sis it in spoken or written words?"
He said that words of great men who
lived years and years ago suill echo
and books which we're composed be-.
fore the present century are with us.
'Thus," said he, "those of Patrick
Henry, Give me liberty or give me
death,' have been sounded through
years Of history; they have found
places upon the lips of nearly every
citizen and will live on down the
epochs of time. Christ's words we
have with us, but they are not the
romised presence.
sis it his works?' further spoke
Mr.. Ham. Here the deeds Of days
gone by were described and appropri
ately was it done. But it was con-
cluded that the promised presence was
not the works.
lit is the personal Christ, the living
Christp' exclaimed he. HE is with
us in personality and has been through
fire and wars and oppression and will
remain SO. We live in assurance that
He is ever near to strengthen us and
sustain and purify, and as Christians
we are never alone.' concluded the
preacher. During the closing remarks
nice illustrations of Christian person
ality and Of His power to sustain we're
given.
The discourse needs no further writ
ing. 1t was one most touching and
powerful and the congregation sat
with attentive minds throughout the
whole of it. Rev. Mr.. Ham as a
speaker is excellent and it is pride
for city to look upon the young min
lister as one of its sons. He has a
fluent course of remarks and the fact
of his not having notes, but speaking
as if an oration, gives it thrilling
effect upon the hearers. 1t is again
said that the sermon was exceptional
ly entertaining.
| DR.. Hand had charge of the conse-
Grafton and evangelistic service fol-
lowing the sermon.
The doxology and benediction closed
the evenings program.
The board of control which has pre.