Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-09
"AMERICA is TODAY THE
LIGHT OF THE WORLD
EXTRACT FROM SUNDAY SERMON
BY REV. 3. C. CORY
Pastor Makes Strong Appeal and Asks
Every Methodist to Double Amount
Of Money Contributed Last Year
Toward Saving of Souls

"The Gathering of the Nations was
the theme of the sermon preached yes
terday morning by Rev. B. c. Corey,
pastor of the Vincent Methodist church.
He said in part:
This American nation needs to real
ize her position among the nations. Mot
alone in a political but in a more vital
sense is she the head of the nations.
1T is not egotism to say that America
is today the light of the world. 1t is
not rhapsody to say that the Anglo
Saxon holds the worlds destiny in his
hands. 1t is sober truth and we are
Anglo-SaXons. The United States is the
home of a majority of the English
speaking race today, the great central
valley and western slope of this contl-
nent Is the strategic point of twentieth
century history. If any man does not
see this great fact it is time for him to
awake, life up his eyes and see.' They
come to thee-yea, o America, the ma
tions turn to thee for ideas, motives
and power to live.
I'VE are standing on one of the sum-
mits of history. The race has reached
the heights more than once before, bat
has always fallen back through weak
ness or treachery of the dominant ma
tions. This generation will determine
the destiny Of this age; whether the
twentieth century shall close with an
advance or a retreat depends upon the
men and women now living.
There is tremendous meaning in
the cry of the student volunteers, The
world for Christ in this generation
1t has dawned upon earnest and
thoughtful men that vast and final
|. crisis is upon us-even the closing of
an age. Strange influences are draw
ing the Saxon nations into closer SYM
pathy and alliance, and 1t is not for
naught that this is in the heart and
brain of the earth's greatest leaders.
God Is Touching Hearts of Men
God is moving upon the hearts of
men with his undying ministry of
brotherhood, and has brought us to the
threshold of an open door into higher
and diviner life. Will you enter?
First, the Bible-The seed book of
all high character and destiny. 1t is
given in every tongue on earth and is
ready for the sowing in all lands.
Second, the English language-The
tongue of power in all lines of human
effort The speech of the strong ev-
erywhere.
Third the wealth of Great Britain
and America-A treasury rich enough
to buy the world; enough to pay for
the worlds redemption and have
abundance for ourselves besides.
Fourth, the Holy Spirit-The all per-
vading. filling. empowering energy of
God seeking to come to consciousness
and activity through the souls of men,
but conditioned by our willingness.
What has this congregation to do
with these world conditions today?
First we are Anglo Saxons, thank
God! We are a part of this dominant
army of progress and salvation Shall
we not feel the swing of conquest?
Second, we are Protestants! We are
free from superstition and tyranny,
measure of the Spirit belongs to every
one of us to profit withal. Every one
of us is a priest and a king unto God
through the liberty we have in Christ
! Jesus, glory to his name
Five MfIIioin Methodists
"Third, we are Methodists; five mill
| lions gather today under our gospel
banner. We are called the most mill
liant of churches. Let us magnify our
calling; let our works praise us. We
gave last year forty cents apiece to
save the world-not quite cent
week. Can we rest with such result
for this year? Shall it not be doubled
at least? Shall any other take our
crown?
Fourth, we are Epworth leaguers;
1000 young hearts are banded for
CHRIST ana country. Olldll we luI We
gin definite work for definite results?
Shall we not keep step with the tenth
legion of Endeavor and the student
volunteers and catch the swing of the
mighty army of the young?
Fifth, we are Sunday school teach
ers and scholars. There are millions
in these ranks, and one-third of the
missionary offering of Methodism last
year came from the Sunday school.
Yet it was but fifteen cents per
scholar after all. Can we rest with
that sum this year? Shall we not give
cent a week and thus treble last
years Offering?
"The Southern California conference
led the whole church last year, yet it
gave but 81 per member. Where will
| Vincent church appear in the ranks
/; this strategic year? Let the Easter
offering place her in the front rank,
with at least 81 per member for this
greatest cause"