South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-12-29
HEARS
STRONG SERMON
ON 9th BIRTHDAY
Pastor UnWittingIy Refers to
MethuSeIah'S $50 Years on
Earth and Wilson Smiles at
Observation.


CULFPORT. Miss. Dec. 29.-Pres.
Wilson sat in a quaint little Presby-
terrain church here Sunday. among a
congregation OF less than a hundred,
and heard a remarkable sermon on
the personal accountability of the in
dividual TO his Maker.
The president and Mrs. Wilson, ac-
cOmpanied by DR.. Cary T. Grayson,
came unexpectedly, avoiding a crowd
that had collected at the little church
at Pass Christian, eight miles away,
and though the Rev. Or. Herbert AL
bert Jones was as surprised as any
OF his congregation at the arrival Of
the distinguished visitors, he varied
his prepared service only slightly.
Yet. by coincidence. he developed
with an eloquence that was histrionic.
a theme that has long been one OF
the preachments of the president
himself.
breaches Fervently.
The Rev. Or. Jones preached ferv
emily. L selected a text" he said,
mot knowing that it would by my
distinguished honor TO preach before
the president of the United States,
but ] wanted TO give all OF you some
thing helpful that would remain with
you in the days 10 come. IT was the
18th verse in the 14th chapter of
Paurs letters to the Romans:
so then every one OF us shall
give account OF himself to God This
principle of accountability affects all
OF as. for God cares for the hum lest
man as ne does for the president OF
the greatest nation on earth.
This is the last Sunday of the
year. What has the year done for
US? To some who are in this pres
ence it has been the most glorious
year In American history. A new era
has dawned in the worlds diplomacy
that will see emblazoned around the
coronets Of princes and the crowns OF
empeTors, the teaching Of a new in
depreciation of mans duty to man"
The Rev. DR.. Jones did not know
that Sunday was the presidents birth
day, though his sermon was devoted
10 reflection on the passing ~
months
Refers TO MethuseIah.
"Methuselah lived TO be $50 years
DID," said the preacher. but was
drowned in the flood. He lived all
these years, yet, as we say in COM
mon parlance. he didn't know enough
10 come in out OF the wet"
The president smiled.
Extemporaneously and with many
an illustration of homely thought, the
minister unfolded his ideas. He was
an interesting figure as he talked,
white hair, gold spectacles that hid
sunken eyes, wrinkled face and Ups
that trembled with the nervousness of
age, but he enunciated his thought
with intense feeling.
When the sermon was finished
choir OF seven lifted their voices in
song. Then followed a short prayer,
concluding the service.
The entire congregation stood in
solemn silence until the president and
| his party passed out At the door
step the preacher thanked them for
/ their visit.
Preached Before Garfield.
1T was the second great honor Of
my life,' he said.
And what was the first?" inquired
/ the president"
II preached once before Pres. Gar
| field" was the reply.
The presidential party motored
| away to Biloxi, II miles further east
along the coast, before turning back
to Pass Christian. On the way the
! president saw four aged confederate
veterans in grey uniforms. hobbling
/ along the road, leaning heavily on
| their canes.
How do you do?" said Mr.. Wilson
| as he ordered his car TO slow up.
'Howdy." they answered, but pass
/ ed on without recognizing the pres
ident.
Presented With BOQuet.
Further along the road the party
! saw ''Beauvior," the old home Of
/ Jefferson Davis, with it's tiny office
nearby. The automobiles were COW
cred with mud and dust when they
| got back for heavy rain fell during
the night and a driZzle continued
most OF the morning AT the cottage
the president found many kilograms
cOngratulating him on his 57th
! birthday. He took a short nap after
| luncheon, and started for a walk late
! in the afternoon. He had not gone
far when a little girl met him with
a bOQuet OF flowers.
Many happy returns OF the day.
| she said.
The president thanked her warmly
tt was a simple tribute-the single
I visible evidence, II seemed, that the
/ outside world recalled the birthday OF
the nations chief executive. II was
a striking contrast TO the celebrations
! OF a year ago. when Mr.. Wilson stood
at his birthplace at Staunton. Va,
amid the brilliant glamour OF cele-
brating crowds; but he appreciated ~
/ just as much. he told his friends aft
! erWards.