The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-10-29
REV, CRAWFORD ON
 PRIEST AND PARISH
Breaches Strong Sermon at St.
 Johns Episcopal Church
GODS ARMIES PREVAIL
The Preacher Points Out the Great Importance of Cooperation in All Departments of
 Church Work.

| \. Crawford conducted the usual service Tt St. Johns Episcopal church this morn ing
 His subject was "rhe Priest and the Parish" His text was as follows:
 And Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side and the other on the other. Exodus xvii12
 The Rev. MT. Crawford preached as fol- lows:
 There is no intended analogy between the text and the subject of this sermon; nevertheless. if We read the first verses connected with the text. keeping the sub ject in mind, we shall see that they are crowded full to overhowlng with lncl- dentals tending to illustrate and em- phasize many pertinent thoughts relating thereto. We read. And Moses said unto Joshua. Choose Us out men, and go out fight with Amalek; tomorrow l will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass when Moses held up his hand
 
 down his hand, that Amalek prevailed But Moses hands were heavy; and they took stone and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up. his hznds, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side and his hands were steady until the go- ing down of the sun. And Joshua dis eomfted Amaek and his people with the edge of the sword"
 Notice first: Noses though chosen of God, for his especial work would have failed utterly but for the cooperation of Aaron, and Hur and the army of Israel Aaron and Hur could have aYaled noth- ing but for Moses and the army, and certainly the army would soon have been routed but for Moses, Aaron and Hur; and all would have suffered inglorious defeat, but for the reliance on God. In this age and century, our Holy Mother the church-in her journey to the Land of Promise, is still directed by the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night; she is still sustained by the Bread Of Heaven, and the Water from the Riven Rock; she is still fighting as with Amalel1 Of old, she still needs the same spirit of
 
 brought victory to the children of Israel on that memorable day mentioned In our text. The necessity for this cooperation becomes even more apparent in the inner circle of the church-the parish.
 No matter what the position, be 1t that of rector, warden, vestryman, layman or laywoman there is a specific work for each to do, which. if not done well. can not but retard the effective working of all the other parts. If the parish is not fionrishing, if Amalek is not beug dscom- fited. the first department that needs Inspecting Is our oYn If we belong to the army in the field, are we doing our whole duty? As a lay communicant are We using our powers under direction of our superior officers and earnestly en- deavoring to cooperate with our rector, and assist him he directs2 If we oc- | cupy the important position of warden or Vestryman, are we standing by the side of our rector, are cooperating with him, are We holding up his hands as We should whenever We see them becom- ing heavy? If it be thevrector is he stand ing upon the mount with the rod of God in uplifted hand, praying daily that God | will give the victory? In other words it is essential to realize the importance of | doing our part well, in whatever position We occupy, and to remember that prayer. work and co-operaton in all service will | memorable day In the history of Israel.
 Against Petty Grievance.
 l would have you notice in this connec- tion, that the children of Israel effect lively and providentially oVercame all ob- stacles until they became involved in quarrels among themselves and began to murmur against Moses. For this they were obliged to wander forty years in the wilderness. Many a parish has thus stood still, for years. owing to the unfortunate disposition of some of It's members to foster petty grievance against brother or sister communicant, or the rector, rather than to labor unselhshly for the best interests of all We have all seen these parishes in the wilderness, and some there are, whose wanderings for twenty years or more have not yet taught them that in unity, harmony and cooperation lies the secret of spiritual life and growth Again, Moses, their leader, became petu- lant under their complaint. He became too offcous and arrogated too much power and authority to himself. He called them rebels. and cried in his rage Must we fetch water from the rock?" Like wise today in this twentieth century oi our Blessed Lord when His people be- gin complaining or quarreling, it Is pos sble for rector to fall into this bad ' mood of Moses, to speak harsh words of seeming officiousness, and to assume authority in a displeasng way to God Perhaps he may feel that it is he whc is smiting the rock; that the water oi life and the bread of heaven depend up on his brain, his hand. his qualifications He may feel. that his energy has paid the mortgage that from his lips has com, : the eloquent sermon. that his personality I has filled the house with worshippine souls forgetting for time that-"Pau may plant and Apollos may water. but il is God that giveth the increase" The very position should make man humble and he who smtes the rock in his own strength and name, though God for tn, , sake of the thirsty people may bring wa ter. vet such an one. like Moses there bv loses much of the favor of God, and the joy and satisfaction of service. II, will never lead his flock to the promised land of their hopes. It is well to bear in mind in this connection. that though ev- cry part is essential, this by no means implies that the particular individuals , filling these positions are essential Wher , Moses died, so great was the sense oi loss on the part of the children of Israel that they moulned forty days. Great as } he was, nevertheless under their new leader. Joshua, they passed directly into , the promised land It is we'll indeed to , emphasize this; that there should never , be any attempt to build up Gods worl, 2 around any many. A parish thus built Dyspeplets %s:a .issf ssss %;sfiss s;Ss: