Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-08
SERMON REVIEWS
EVENTS OF YEAR
MINISTER SEES GODS HAND
IN HISTORY
Annual Address ls Delivered by Rev.
Mr. smither Before the Young
Mems Christian Asso-
citation

Rev. A. G. Smither has the distinction
of preaching the annual New Years
sermon on the first Sunday Of each year
for fourteen years, with one exception,
before the Young Mems Christian asso-
ciation OF Los Angeles Rev. Mr..
Smither has been the pastor of the
First Christian church of Los Angeles
for the past fifteen years.
Rev. Mr.. Smither preached yesterday
AFTERNOON at the association rooms on
the theme, Another Year-19O5." He
said in part:
Men are but poor students of history
who do not read it as the accomplish
ment on the part of man of a plan of
COO. There can be no true philosophy
of history which does not find its be-
ginning, growth and end In the divine
government of the Almighty Men live
and move and have their being in Coz.
God hath appointed the boundaries and
habitations OF the nations of the earth.
Read in this. light history, ancient or
current, has new meaning.
THE year past has been one of mar
Velous financial activity. Business con-
ditions were never more active. Never
was there a time when so many men
made money. Labor was never so well
paid or so well contented Crops were
never so bounteous. The evidences of
Gods blessings upon his people were
never greater than they are today. In
financial circles there have been aston
ishing and sensational exposures. Men
in high positions nave been convicted
of faithfulness to their trusts. The rule
of righteousness and justice has pre-
vailed here as elsewhere.
Year of Exposures
1T has been a year of sensational ex-
posure in municipal and political af-
fairs The rottenness of public corrup-
tion has been exposed and many un-
worthy public servants have received
public rebuke and have been retired
into infamy. The elections with
scarcely an exception have sent to
ignominious defeat such faithless SER
wants. The voice of the people is the
voice Of God. The honesty of men
always asserts itself at the polls when
rottenness and corruption have been
exposed.
THE hope and safety of our country
Is in the honest independent voter who
rebels against the party lash. The
heroes of today are political, men who
love civic and political righteousness.
Folk, Jerome, Tom johnson and Weaver
have been honored because they have
ShOOO
voice is surely heard today in pubic
affairs as the prophets of old spoke in
behalf Of honor, manhood and God
Within the year peace has been
secured abroad and Our honored presi-
dent and country have played con-
spicuous parts in bringing it about.
Japan, with marvellous power of as
similation Of western civilization, has
forged to a front rank among the ma
tions of the earth, while Russia has
troubles at home. General conditions
among the nations of the world show
they are touched and directed by divine
care and oversight.
THE religious conditions in the past
year are most encouraging. 1t has
been one of great religious activity.
The churches are at peace among
themselves and with each other. Such
federation and fellowship never existed
before. They present common front
against a common foe and are moving
toward that marvellous unity for which
Jesus prayed, that they all may be one.
1.-THE year throughout gives proof
that jehovah has led the way and we
may turn our forces toward the future
with confident hope and joy and trust.
committing ourselves, our interests, our
country to him with whom We all have
to do. He has never been, can never be
faithless to his people"