Norwich bulletin., 1912-08-12
Visiting Pastors in Norwich Pulpits
Fourth of Union Services Addressed by Rev H. E. Starr of New Haven at Second Church-Rev. Dr. Smith T. Ford of Chicago Delivers Forcefu Sermon to Central Baptist Congregation.
Congregation.

The fourth of the union services was held on Sunday morning at the Sec ond Congregational church with Rev H. E. Starr of New Haven as the preacher. His text was taken from Luke 2S:26, And as they led him away they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cy- renian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross.'
 This story of Simon, the Cyrenian, gives in few words the impression of a striking situation. Here was Si- upon his own plans for the day, and fully expecting to carry them out in his own way. He was not anticipating this meeting with the procession of a condemned prisoner, nor of himself participating in the execution of the sentence of the law, Circumstances over which he had no control forced their power upon him and laid the cross upon him, At the end of the day he looked back upon very dif- ferent picture from the one he was contemplating as he was entering Je- rusalem in the morning.
 Conscious of Higher Power.
 This story of Simon is the story in miniature of what is happening in every mans life, He is finding that events are determined for him from without rather from within. Like Si- mon, he becomes conscious of higher power which shapes his days events in spite of him so that he is not free as he imagines he is. Things were determined for him by the course of Roman power, which brought her sol diers there at this time; by events in Jesus life all tending to this time and place; and by Simon's own jour ney to the country at this particular time The salient characteristics of the story were products of past bounds set, the results of divine des- tiny.
 Every Man Is Limited.
 So every man has line he cannot pass on every hand, He finds himself limited by environment, parentage, strength of body or mind, or it may be by early training and opportunity. Certain thoughts, beliefs, and actions are impossible to certain people whose | whole environment and inheritance do not include them. A man is limited 1 by his surroundings. He is molded 1 by other people and shares their good or evil nfiuence-whether they are l faithful or unfaithful. ambitious or | low. These forces from without come l as the hand of destiny. His area is l circumscribed. But happily-and this | is the first light upon the subject man does not know his limit. He rarely reaches 1t. His will comes in and determines his response to cir l cumstances.
 i It gives him something to hope and strive and pray for-something to find and press forward to. Simon met his I f&c 3r1f he of bn | diers. We may be met, too, but we must plan large.
 Apparent Barriers Often Not Real.
 We do not know how much we may not accomplish in the way of noble l deeds, fine characters, or of the mira cles we may not do. Apparent bar Tiers are often not real and God will | do more for us than we think. More 1 people fail to reach their limit than are 1 hurt by contact with the boundary wall We may imagine Simon trudg- | ing along on his way, being suddenly stopped by the soldiers. and of his protesting vigorously at being com | pelled to carry the crosg. Many man starts out in youth with his own plans and ideas in mind. He pities others who are not doing as he thinks he will do. He believes that true worth will always be recognized and rewarded. Midday finds him bearing his cross. He has learned differently,
 1 Shut Out from Opportunities,
 He finds that the race is not al- ways to the swift, nor the battle to | the strong Or it may be that personal weaknesses or defects of youthful training have shut him out from op- 1 pOrtunities. He, too, may rebel al the cross of circumstances. But there is more light yet. The most important fact of all comes in the opportunity given the soul to determine what kind of a cross bearer he shall be. Fol Simon it mattered most what kind oi a cross bearer he was. Did he carry il with a smile on his face, with energy in his steps, with a courage and sym pathy which meant much in the way
 of help to Jesus? Did the peace and
 strength of the divine presence fill hi: mind to the exclusion of all rebellion
 against circumstances In spite of al
 of these, of the worst they can do, i
 is possible for many man to be eithel
 a churl or a king in the midst of them
 A Curse or a Blessing.
 He can make of himself either {
 curse or a blessing. He alone has thu
 power to make. The outward life i not the whole. There is a life of Got
 which works to possess. The uplif
 of heart which is felt sometimes is tn
 experience of God. Here is the soul
 opportunity to reign. In surrender u God comes freedom. The cross ma,
 not be changed, but It may be force
 to become easy. Destiny Is life wit , 1 and for God. The barriers of toda
 will dissolve into infinite possession
 Here is the victory that overcomes tn
 world.