The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-01

Los Angeles, Cal. Aug 25-ln this ser mon the preacher shows the uplifting power and influence of a strong, up- right character upon the lives and con duct of those with whom he may be as- sociated The text is Acts xvii, 35 'rhen they were all of good cheer"
 The prejudice against ministerial pas sengers formerly held by sailors aboard ships was very bitter. Yet today in the scene of my text we see Paul, the gospel missionary, overcoming the prejudice of the crew. Amid the Mediterranean eu- foclydon we see him winning their con tidenoe to such an extent that he becomes practically the captain instead of the captive. After weeks of tossing about on a treacherous sea, with all bearings lost, the 275 souls abroad turn to this little Jew and beg his advice as to what they should do, They say, I've will obey your orders; we will eat when you tell us to eat and cast off our anchor cables when you tell us to cast them off, And when he had thus spoken he took bread and gave thanks to God in presence of them all, and when he had broken 1t he began to eat Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat
 Now, why did these sailors upon the Mediterranean corn ship have such faith in this evangelist? In the first place be- cause they realized that there was d su- pernatural power about this strange man of God. They could not analyze his power. They could not tell theologioally from whence it came. But they felt Its power just the same, as We can feel the thrill of the electric current as soon as We place our fingers upon the handles of an electric battery. And the man of the world does not have to matriculate at a thelogical seminary in order to learn the power of one who is In touch with God As soon as such a man comes In contact with a spirit filled life he req lzes the supernatural influence. The more worldly the man the moro that spiritual influence will be made manifest to him l was never more impressed with this fact than when l read an inci- dent in the life of tho great French sur geon Dupuytren.
 Dr. Dupuytren was the greatest Pa risian surgeon of his time, but he was an ungodly man. He hated the church with an intense hatred. Besides that, he was one of those brusque, cruel, unfeel- ing men who have no sympathy with pain The knife to him was the remedy for all ills. As long as his knife could cure he c6-ed not whether the patient suffered mental or physical anguish. me spiritual development of his soul seemed to be entirely lacking. But one day there came into his office an old, gray halrea' gentle. beautiful face priest, What do you want?" gruffly asked Dupytren- For
 
 off a big woolen craYat and showed lne surgeon a hdeous tumor upon his neck Dupytren looked at it Il moment lie pressed it roughly with his finger and then brutaly said: You'll have 10 die with that. This tumor can never pc cured" Thank you" said the priest Then he began to replace the woolen era vat as he replied, "I now know that | must prepare myself for giving up my lfe's work and also prepare my poor parishioners who love me much for my leaving them" The great surgeon turn ed his cold gray eyes Up on the priest a minute, and those eyes bored straight down into the patients heart Then ne said, with gentle voice: Come to my hospital tomorrow and we will see what we can do. There is one chance In thousand to save you
 Curing the Priest.
 The priest came to the hospital the next day. With submissive prayer he laid himself down upon the operating table In a month he was discharged d well man. As he was leaving he took out of his pocket thirty pieces of silver and with trembling hand offered them to the surgeon. saying: Doctor this is all the money I have. walked all the way from my house to pay you this.' But Dupuytren said. keep them. man; keep themv Then he opened his money draw CT and took out a handful of gold and poured the napoleons into the priest lap and said Here is some money for the poor May God bless you, his ser want, to labor for him for many years among your people, A few years later that great surgeon died, a believing, trusting Christian, In the arms of that humble priest
 Did you ever read a story more beau tlful? And yet the power of the gospel