The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-26
Louisville Preachers s Strong Sermon. Eminent Divine Delivered His Initial Speech to Congregation of First
 Presbyterian Church--News
 of the Churches. =

Dr. J. s. Lyons of Louisville, Ky, one of the most prominent ministers of the southern Presbyterian Church, began a series of services at Che First Presby- terian Church yesterday morning
 pr. Lyons is a forceful and eloquent speaker. handling lis subjects in the most original and unique manner.
 His text was from Second Chronicles. xxix, 27, And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord began also," and the large congregation was held in closest attention from the be- ginning to the end.
 At the evening service, pr. Lyons preached to another large and deeply interested congregation. His text was found in the Gospel of St. Luke xvi, 19, and his sermon was an able and ex- tremely inteIligible exposition of the story or Lazarus and the rich man.
 Dr. Lyons said that he had no pet theories or any fads of any kind, but simply preached the word, and of that fact his sermon last night was an em- phatie demonstration. He said that of all the parables of the Bihle--if par able 1t could be cal1ed--that of Lazarus and the rich man was the most graphic and highly pictured.
 The two extremes of life he pictured in his text, and he said that of all par ables of the Bible the one of his text was most applicable to everyday life that there are Lazaruses and rich men in every community today.
 Dr. Lyons, in handling his text, was unique inasmueh as he began with the last of the subject and worked back to the beginning.
 He drew the picture of the two great contrasts of life as represented by the two types--one known to the world as the rich man. the other and typical character known as Lazarus.
 Dr. Lyons said that he felt that the rich man was a much abused man that he was really deserving of a kind word--and proceeded to tell of the good points in his character
 He was systematically generous and extremely kind, possibly more so than any other man of his city, for in allow ing Lazarus. the leper, to be laid at his gate and to be fed from his table daily, he was going beyond what the laws of both God and the land allow ed.
 He was also pictured as man of the faith for when in torment he lifted his eyes and saw Lazarus in Abraham's bosom, he addressed him as Father Abraham a form or address used followers of the Jewish faith.
 He was, Dr. Lyons said, man so generous and public spirited and with his riches so able to act his philan- thropy that did he live in one of our cities today he would be run for Mayor on the reform ticket and to the boys and young men of his com- munity he would be held up as & model. Then why should he have been sent to a place of torment? When the rich man asked that Lazarus be sent to warn his father and brethren he was answered:--
 You remember that thou in thy life time received thy good"
 That was the answer, the solution. The rich man received all of wealth and honor that the world could give. He lived for 1t and -gioried in 1t, while with Lazarus, his portion was God.
 He gave his heart to God and lived and received his greatest good from Him.
 pr. Lyons said that while these tive extreme types are in a way common, yet as exact types they may never be found, for few ever measured up to the rich man, and few have ever suffered the torture of body and bones than did Lazarus, yet the two types stand out distinctly-and in conclusion Dr. Lyons urged that his hearers ask the Lords help in choosing Lazarus's portion for themselves
 There will be services at II o'clock in the morning and at o'clock at night every day until April 4. At 7:S0 o'clock at night just before the reg ular service there will be few mo- ments of prayer in the primary room, where those attending will be met by the pastor. Dr, Patterson.
 Every one is cordially invited to at tend all of these services.
 Special music will be featured at each service,