The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-12
ALL THINGS WORK
 TOGETHER FOR GOOD
For Those Who Love and Serve
 the Lord Here on Earth
DR. BRANsCoMB's TOPIC
Illustrates His Text With n Beautiful Eastern Legend of n Dying Queens Last Request of Her Husband.
 Gods Gracious Promise

That all things work together for the ultimate good of Gods creatures here on earth was the topic employed by the Rev. pr. l.. c. Branscomb, pastor of the First Methodist church, in his ser mon yesterday morning.
 During his remarks Dr. Branscomb gave what his hearers regarded as a weighty and convincing analysis of what is most to be desired in this world, and placed above all desire to emulate the Christ who came into the world to save all.
 Dr. Branscomb will leave next Monday for Columbus, Miss, to conduct special series of services. For this reason, per haps, and because of prior announce ment that he would speak words of en- couragement to those who are bowed down, he was greeted by a great gather ing yesterday
 The text was taken from the Romans: For all things work together for good to those who love God"
 In the course of his remarks, Dr. Branscomb said:
 An Eastern Legend There is in the far distant east a leg end that one lime a queen lay dying. Her broken-hearted and grief-stricken husband was at her bedside. She was breathing her last. And she whispered to him to receive her last request She | said that her last wish was that her hus- band would build some monument of beautiful design that all the world might witness the boundess love that was borne between the queen and her con- sort When she died her grieving hus-
 band started the monument He decided
 that a temple should be erected In hel memory. Architects exhausted their skill in drawing the plans. The designs were for the most beautiful and costly house that could be erected. Builders and car penters gave the best thought to the erection of this temple of love.
 "The massive foundations were built to endure for ages. The impregnable walls were constructed of hewn marble of the rarest character, In this temple there was placed only the most costly and richest decorations. The most won- derful part, however, was a massive | dome. Ine WHlSk pI d Shiltf tiiC thohe of the priests or the murmurings of the multitudes were waited In discordant notes into this dome. There they were refined, made as the cooling of doves and were waited back to the people in the most dulcet tones. They had been puri- fled while In the dome and made to be soft and musical. It seemed as if the | angels from heaven had attuned their most precious Tyres and waited into the | temple the sweetest of symphonys.
 That Is like our God The discordant notes, the harsh words, the mutterings of those who become impatient are wait ed unto Him and purified by His grac- ious love. They are returned to us in precious words of encouragement and our text: For all things work together to the good of those who love God
 Treasured Promise
 This promise is one of the most treas ured ones Tn the Bible. We would not have 1t removed for any earthly prize. But 1t Is modified. This promise is not for the scoffer. 1t Is not for the unbe- lieving, 1t is not for those who when in trouble turn to Him and when the clouds lift they turn from Him. It is for those who really love God. There must be sunshine and darkness. There would be little of the world If 1t were not so. The painter adds touch of red here, some black there and other mix ture until the background. forefront, the clouds are designed. And the picture Is finished with all colors blending. "There are those who do not under stand what is good. Some think social favors are good. some like riches and others enjoy this fad or that fancy. But the most to be treasured is a character like Jesus. and like God, who made to His people the great promise we speak | of this morning.
 | Dr. Branscomb continued to point out the fallacy of earthly ambitions when desired above the requisites of true Christian spirit His remarks were very eagerly received and doubtless provided food for thought for the many who lis- | tened to the words of the popular divine. ------@ss--------