The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1917-11-30

niversary of the acquiring of the
present site and the opening of the
church on South street. One of the
interesting features of the entire
day was the welcome address deliver
ed by DR.. e. C. Martin, who said in
his address:
Master of Ceremonies, Dear Pas
tor, Fellow Members and Visiting
Friends: Assuming for the moment
the part of representative of our
church in her name, l bid you all
welcome and welcome the guests who
do us the honor of being present with
us on this memorable day, of cele-
brating our anniversary, of fulfilling
her large and ever increasing duties
to her children and through them to
the advancement Of Gods kingdom.
Whatever has life is expected to
grow. Trees, flowers, grain, birds,
animals and fish fulfill this expecta-
ton, but man is no exception, for
he, too, must grow bodywise and
soulwise. We are so apt to magnify
growth in body and mind, but for
get almost wholly soul growth which
must grow in knowledge of divine
truth and of God.
Richer by the acquisition of a not
unfruitful year, more vigorous, more
bountluf to her members than ever
and finally reaching out her help
ing hand to less fortunate ones who
have long stood waiting and wistful
at our gates, Tabernacle Baptist
Church presents herself to us today
with a stronger appeal than ever,
and a clearer right to every service
we can render her-a service which,
at its best, will fall short of the die
tates and desires of our gratitude and
our affection.
Within the life time of the young
est members of us she has changed as
never before in the great battle
against sin and evil The field of
Waterloo was won, said the Duke of
Wellington, on the playground of
Eton. The victory over the hosts of
sin, which threaten the future OF
Christ's kingdom, is now being won
not on the playground, but by the
reception of Christ as our leader and
the subsequent attacks on sin
through prayer and supplication.
Permit me to say in welcoming
you to this, our annual Homecoming
and anniversary, that this growth
to which | have already mentioned
is due more than to any other single
agency, to the character and business
| toh nf IN WI G a
our head in the person of Rev. H. M
Burns, d. d.
Growth takes time. The acorn
becomes an oak in the course of many
years. The time element is impor-
tant in the spiritual realmn. Christ
emphasized thisi in the well known
words, First the blade, then the ear
after that the full corn in the ear. y
A fine robust and sturdy church can
be produced in a year. 1t takes
years. We become impatient some
times and expect more than we
should. We criticise others sharply
by looking for greater results than
the time well allow.
Flowers give blossoms, beauty and
fragrance. Trees yield their crops OF
mellow fruit. The fields are covered
with the golden grain. Each brings
forth a product according to its
nature. We welcome you to the
fruits of our spiritual nature-love
joy, peace, long-suffering, gentle
ness, goodness, faith, meekness and
temperance. Such fruits are far
more beautiful than that of garden
or field, orchard or greenhouse. AL
our growth should lead to such
fruits. Every year should witness in
our lives, blossoms more beautiful
fragrance more sweet and fruits
more mellow.
thrice welcome you one and al
to such feast at this our annua
homecoming and anniversary"