The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-17
GOOD CHEER THEME
or DR., LYNN WALKER
Atlanta Pastor At First Presby-
terrain Church
WAS CHRIS7'S MESSAGE
Joy Is Expression of Whole Tenor of
Lords Life On Earth, Says
the Preacher.

DR.. Lynn Walker, pastor of the west
End church of Atlanta, filled the pulpit
at the First Presbyterian church yes
terday in the absence of DR.. j. w.
Stage. DR.. Walker has many friends
in Birmingham, and his message of
good cheer cast q ray of new light on
the bright side of religion.
He took the words "Be of good
cheer" as his text, and introduced his
remarks with reference to the many
times that Christ exhorted his disciples
to be of good cheer, and he said that
there is no Joy to compare with that
which came when Jesus was born.
Joy is the expression of the whole
tenor of the Lords life on EARTH" he
said. land If there's anyone on earth
that has right to rejoice 1t is the
Christian, for he has the greatest rea-
son for happiness"
In fact, DIR. Walker considered be-
ing of good cheer one of the most prac-
teal of Christian duties "a Christian
with a gloomy face. an ugly temper and
a snarling tongue is but ohariacture
of Christianity. I believe that sad and
mournful Christianity has done more
harm than all the books of infldelity,
for it is menace to Christianity"
He declared that this is no new
theory. 'It is the old religion, the gos-
pei of Jesus 'Christ-life and health,
sweetness and perfume, to transform
this old sorrowing earth.
Now this is not carelessness. nor
does it mean that everything in the
world is just as 1t should be. No. the
world is full of grief, the bravest heart
is often made to bow down, but Christs
message is always the same, BE d
good cheer
1.-THE Christian has the key that will
open up the dark dungeon of despair,
and the message which [ bring to yo,
is that you should look away from
yourself and your surroundings and
turn to faith and hope, our inspiring
principles and the remedy for all our
troubles. If we have a living faith,
trust that's real, We can find reason
for Joy In every circumstance and the
less we are disturbed by the difficulties
of this life"
DR.. Walker 1amented the great num-
Der who seem to find a luxury in find
ing fault with everything. and especial
ly in the home. I'VE must learn to be-
lieve that we have no right to lay our
woes oneother's shoulders. 1t Is a part
of Christian culture to train ourselves
by faith and trust to look on the bright
side. Those who always keep their
faces upturned to the Father will al
ways find the blessings of life out
weigh it's sorrows.
"Often in the place of sorrow we see
a light that illumines the darkness, a
rainbow in the sorrow which gives
birth to a stronger faith, deeper Wis
ion and a purer, sweeter sympathy
Cheerful faith in God wins. It wins
friends to yourself and to God"
He then made a plea for more I'M
selfish, cheerful home life, and more
light and warmth and sunshine in our
worship. TRUE" he said. "the troubles
of life are many, but it is the struggle
and the difficulty that bring out the
strength. God permits them to come,
but He does not mean them to cause
unhappiness."
After calling attention to happiness
of childhood he declared that there
should be a deeper and diviner Joy in
our after days. The Christian learns
that all things work together for them
that love Him, and as we grow we rise
above the power of earth's discomfort,
because our lives are hid in Christ
Jesus. Music will come out of every
sigh and starlight from every storm.
Thus we will be able to please God and
give blessings to mankind"