The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-05-29
REV. ANGUS JOHNSON.
Minister Ninety-Seven Years of Age,
Delivered a Sermon From tho
Pulpit of His Ordination.
The State.

ian church Of Cheraw was crowded to |
its utmost capacity this morning
when the Rev. Angus johnson arose
to preach to congregation, many Of
whom were the children, grandchil-
dren or great-grandchildrc of those
who heard him preach his ordination
sermon in the same church over 70
years ago. Before beginning his SER
mon he led the congregation in pray
er to the throne of grace and earnest
ly asked for divine aid for himself
and congregation that their Worship
be acceptable to God. AS he prayed
that God, who blassed his people here
long years ago, would now make His
presence manifest, the old voice
quivered and for moment a sacred
silence prevailed, face, attitude and
heart expressing what the voice re-
fused to utter. But it was only a
moment, for he soon regained perfect
control Of himself.
Mr.. johnson preached from the
text, "For to me to live is Christ and
to die is gain,' Philippians, 1 :21.
He described the life of Paul, show
ing how truly was the statement Of
the text eXemplified in his life. He
used him as a great example worthy
Of imitation. He dwelt upon the i'm
portance Of Christian living. Then
upon its great influence upon others.
Among other apt illustrations used
was one which he said he had heard
his friend and former companion OF
the 30's, Daniel Baker, use. A cul
tured infidel lawyer married a lovely
Christian girl. Failing to agree in
this one particular, it was agreed be-
tween them that religion should never
be discussed. During revival meet
inc, the husband would escort his
wife to the church door and then 60
away. On leaving her once at the
door, a pressure of her hand as lie
assisted her in church directed his
eyes to her face, where he saw the
tear drops falling over her checks.
Her devotion to him, her devotion /"
her Master and consccrated life did
what reason had never been able to
do. brought him to Christ, and so the
aged pastor urged all Christians to
live for Christ.
The Congregation Touched.
But it was in discussion Of the last
clause of his text that the congrega-
tion seemed most touched. AS he
dwelt upon the reunion on the other
shore with saints and loved ones who
have gone before, he commented on
the fact that not one of the faces he
had looked into and loved in years
gone by was before him now. They
were Cover there' and his appeal to
all in the church to prepare for the
great hereafter was most touching.
Solcmnly and effectively at the
close of the sermon Mr.. and Mrs.
Johnson sang the beautiful hymn,
"Whcn the Evening Shadows Gath
or" II was most pathetic incident
and many eyes were dimmed with
tears before it's close. The old gen
tloman's voice is remarkably strong
and clear for one of advanced years
and is remarkable for his age and has
good carrying power.
Sketch of MIR. Johns6n's Life.
"For the days Of our years are
three score years and ten, and if by
reason Of strength they be four score
years, yet is~their strength labor and
sorrow, for it is soon cut off and we
fly away'
The verse from Psalms as quoted
recently in Greenville by Rev. An
gus johnson had more than it's usual
significance. For full three score
years he has iabored in the service of
Christ and, being the exception that
proves the Biblical statement, he has
passed the four score by nearly
score more. And now on the border
land, or as he said himself, on the
brink of the river, he comes once
more to the State where he labored so
long with the souls Of men and tells
them in the same words he used so
long ago the truths Of salvation. The
old familiar faces are gone and he is
dwelling among strangers. New
crceds have sprung up and there are
new thoughts entwined with the old
ones Of Calvinism, but the old man is