Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1910-02-24
FORMER PASTOR
At THE GROVE

One of the ablest and withal one of
the most fascinating sermons heard in
this city in long time was preached
in Grove Presbyterian church Sun
day morning by the Rev. Elliott O.
Armstrong, pastor of the Central Pres
byterian church of Williamsport The
sermon related to prayer and the rela-
tion of prayer to the great truths of
psychology, q science which is just
now looming up so prominently and is
engaging the best thought Of the
world Whatever view may have been
held before, the sermon clearly dem.
onstrated that psychology has quite as
much in it for the Christian as for the
scientist merely. To many, even those
who had given the subject some study,
the sermon opened up a new field of
thought.
Mr. Armstrong took as his text
Hebrews, 4th Chapter, 10th verse
Let us therefore come boldly unto
the throne of grace, that we may OBJ
tain mercy and find grace to help in
! time of need"
Passing on from the text, which was
addressed to people that had lately
/ become Christians and with whom
there was always an inducement to re-
/ turn to the old faith, the speaker pro-
ceeded to discussion of the souls at
titude in prayer, which easily led up
to the subject of psychology
1t is one thing, the speaker said, to
use the words of prayer and another
thing to enter into the spirit of pray
er. He took up psychology in rela-
/ tion to the healing power, of the soul,
but went no further than to ask wheth-
er it is reality. AS illustrating the
trend of the times he said it is signific-
ant that so much study should he Civ
en- to the soul of man. 1t is strange,
too, that so much attention should be
given to the subject of sleep, state
in which one-third, of mans life is
passed. Many sermons of the present
day are being preached on the relig-
| ious value of sleep.
Much attention throughout the relig-
ious world is also being given to the
7 psychology of prayer. This study is
active not only among religious people
but also among Others to whom it has
/ become more and more apparent that
/ the power of prayer is real force
just as Is electricity or steam-that
certain lives are driven by it. Ii can
and has accomplished certain great
things.
In act of prayer the suppliant becomes
conscious of another and a higher self.
which rises to loftier and lofticr
level. In prayer fixed idea comes to
dominate the soul and thus is develop
ed a tremendous power for good.
Dwelling ON one thought in prayer II
person comes to believe it true. In this
way under the dominion of fixed
idea people have broken the chains of
vice that cnslaved them and great
transformations of character have been
wrought
We all are conscious of having with.
in us an underlying realm Of soul.
which we do not understand. In the
exercise of prayer this reservoir of un.
derlying power breaks through and
wells up. The phenomenon is often
remarkable Whenever there is real
and earnest prayer one becomes CON
scious Of power that comes mp out of
the depths of the soul
The speaker described certain types
of old people, which are Objectionable
to us. 1t is matter of great moment
he said. what we will be like when
we grow old. Prayer may help us. 1t
is plain that when a man begins to
pray lie begins to exercise control over
his future-that he becomes more and
more the master of the future.
Prayer may be made scientific. Let
a boy draw a picture of what he would
like to be in the future and under the
uohiAhIoh VI tilab hASu lVtd uuIlHS
the years of prayer he will grow into
that very thing he aspires to be.
Mr.. Armstrong left Danville sixteen
years ago after a successful pastorate
at the Grove church. Notwithstand-
ing the bad walking Sunday morn
ing large number of his former par
ishioners attended service. The greet
inps were warm and heartfelt.