The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1916-12-06
ASKS PASTORS TO
PREACH HOLY GHOST
FORMER GOVERNOR JOSEPH M.
BROWN SAYS SUCH SERMONS
NEEDED IN THE STATE.

Former Governor Jos. NJ. Brown
has furnished the newspapers of the
state with a layman sermon about
two columns in length suggesting
that there shall be preached from as
many pulpits as possible before the
year is gone sermon bearing d.
rectly upon the Holy Ghost or Holy
Spirit. He says in part:
"To the People of Georgia: Now
that our period of political turmoil
has passed l shall, in this communi-
cation. write to you upon a subject
unparalleled probably, among our pub
lie men.
"a number of months ago Rev. j.
H. Patton, D. D., pastor of the Pres
byterian church in Marietta, preach
ed on the subject of the 'Holy Ghost,
or Holy Spirit" and Herewith called
attention to the fact that sermons
were really preached regarding the
personality of that member of the
Divine Trinity.
Il have often thought of this dis
course, and have wondered why his
statement should be so true, as it un
doubtedly is. Really, | cannot recall
having ever heard another sermon on
the personality of the Holy Spirit.
The Commandments.
Furthermore, | cannot recall hav-
ing heard a sermon from a text taken
from the ten commandments, the
basis code of morals, of action and
of worship, which the Almighty, in
person, gave to US through Moses,
and for some years l have seen but
one such sermon reported in the daily
press, until recently, when Rev. Hen
ry Afford Porter, D. D., pastor of the
Second Baptist church in Atlanta, be-
gan a series of sermons from texts
including the ten commandments. In
truth, so far as my observations ex-
tend, the trend of a great proper
ton of the modern pulpit thought
seems to be flowing away from the
fundamentals Of our faith and into
the channels of topics pertaining to
the present day. Yet God, truth,
justice and purity are eternal, and
we are taught: Jesus Christ, the
same Yesterday, and today, and for
ever Hebrews 1889"
Series of Sermons.
He then gives number of quota
tions from the Bible showing the
need of teachings of this kind and
their value to mankind and con-
cludes:
Therefore, while l have and crave
no authority over our fellow citizens,
yet, longing to see our state irradiat-
ing the glories of spiritual power ;
longing to see truth, justice, purity
and good will established, l am writ
ing to ask that every pastor of a
Christian church in Georgia, regard
less of creed or color, will on the
Sunday before Christmas, this year,
preach from some text referring to
the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit of
God, and that he and all church
members who hear him will pray for
the sanctifying, ennobling and exalt-
ing gift of the Holy Ghost to be be-
slowed upon the entire state of Geor-
gia, the gift through which-won-
drous thought we may be made
'partakers of the divine nature Ql
Peter / 40
"And to that end l viii ask that
every editor of a daily or weekly
newspaper in our state who is in ac-
cord with the prayer for that holy
gift will publish at least the last two
paragraphs of this letter. Remem-
Der, The love of God is shed abroad
in our hearts by the Holy Ghost
which is given unto u.s. also we shall
receive power after that the Holy
Ghost is come upon YOU And hold
ever in mind Gods words: Them
that honor Me I will honor Youl
fellow citizen, JOS. M. BROWN.
ar. F. d. A, Canton, Ga"