New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-24
WILSON TALKS IN CHURCH.
SermonizeS to PreSbyterianS at
Trenton Anniversary.
KEEPS OFF POLITICS
Speaks of the Value of Example
of Consecrated Men-Won't
Take Stump Till T. R. Does.
tBy Telegraph to The Tribune. J

Trenton. n. J., oct. Ex-Governor VII
son came here tonight 10 help celebrate
the NOth anniversary Of the First Presby-
terrain Church. and the five hundred mem
bers OF the congregation present at the
services were treated to the novel sensa-
ton Of a Presidential candidate two
weeks before election delivering what
practically was sermon from a church
pulpit.
In his discourse Governor Wilson kept
as far away from the political atmos-
phere as any full fedged parson would
under similar circumstances, although he
went dangerously near the line when he
said:
Always be afraid Of a man who is in
different TO his own success. and certain
OF the success of the things he repre-
sents. Stand out OF his way, for he has
behind him the hosts Of the Almighty
The Church." Governor Wilson said.
represents a structural part Of human
ity.' Then he went on to say:
It represents that spiritual part which
does not seek expression In the forms OF
government or even in the forms Of So
ciety, but seeks expression In It's search
for God, in Its search for ultimate eX-
PLANTATION of llfe in its search for the
ultimate fountains Of the human spirit.
The things that are outside Of us and
beyond our control and higher than we
are are the things by which we seek 10
measure ourselves, and every church Is
sort OF attempt 20 discover n standard.
We know that that standard cannot be
discovered in our own lives because we
see how our own lives change and alter
under the very impulse Of our own chang
ing conclusions and varying temptations.
The Permanent Side Of Life.
We know the very impulse Of our own
changing conclusions and varying tempta-
tons. We know that life without some
thing Ike the standard Of the church is
mere quicksand In which we walk, not
only with faltering and stumbling foot
steps, but with sinking sense that We
have nothing under our feet So that
when I think Of this church I think Of II
as one OF the expressions, one Of the
many expressions, Of the permanent side
OF life.
theological controversy arises out OF
doubt. Governor Wilson said. 1t arises
out of a difference OF opinion. II arises
out Of a difference OF information. Some
body has said that the church a man
belongs TO is largely a question OF tenn
permanent largely a question Of his spirit
looks at a thing. He continued:
Some people enjoy the service, Presby-
terians have an inordinate taste Tor ser
mons. They come TO be instructed, they
come 10 hear things discussed they come
TO hear life eXpounded and the standards
applied to life upon some high plane or
exposition: whereas, others wish TO have
their emotional sides appealed 20 In pref
erence 10 their intellectual sides.
But, however the variation may 20, no
matter what the ephemeral feature may
be- no matter what the external form
may be- they are all looking for a foot
hold. they are all looking for some firm
ground Of faith upon which 10 walk. TINS
church witnessed many changes, the rise
of a nation. the birth and death OF po-
litical parties, II has seen everything
change. except this search for God.
Search for God Takes Precedence.
Therefore every community ought to
realize. Il seems TO me, that the search
for God takes precedence over ever
thing else. When II looks al churCh
as ii passes down the crowded street II
ought to say:
There is one Of the permanent inter
rogation points in our lives
What IS the foundation Of our lie
What is the source or our stTehgth
selves, but in something external TO our
selves and greater than ourselves, from
which we are 70 rise.
So the first thought that ] have stand
ing here tonight is that these walls
have witnessed the permanent impulses
and instincts Of human life, that they
are greater than the walls of cities
And the second thing that | have in
mind is this-that the search II fTuit.
less II 81 issues in mere conclusion. II y
issues in mere intellectual cerutudes. u
is fruitless unless IT gets embodied In
men.
At this point Governor Wilson uttered
the warning already quoted. 20 be afraid
OF the man who was Indifferent to his
own success and certain Of the success
OF the thing D." presented.
ST. Clair Nc Jay, a former Sunday
school scholar at the church, also spoke.
He paid a glowing tribute to Or. John
Hall, one of the former pastors OF the
church. Mayor Frederick w. Donnelly'
Of this city. was also a speaker. Dr.
Henry Colin Mnton, pastor OF the First
PRESBYTERIAN Church, was master of cere-
monies.