The Washington herald., 1917-11-25
The Great Adventure.
sy R.v. DAVID =. oovELL, =. 4.

; IS
The following sermon was writ
ten especially for The washington
Herald by the Rev. David Ransom
Coveii, pastor OF Christ Episcopal
Church. $40 G street southeast.
Text: And without controversy
great is the spirit Of Godliness.
Timothy. s:1e.
There Is something in. human ma
ture that Graves adventure, sup
pose all Of Us are fond OF II. As
children we constantly embark upon
adventures and as our years null
tiply the desire does not fail. rather
does Il develop and increase.
The unexpected has an attraction
for US; we plan surprises to give
others pleasure;, that which IL hidden
excites our curiosity; the half-re-
vealed holds our attention and ap-
peals to our desire for discovery.
We have q worthy admiration for
those adventurers who are prominent
enough to be public heroes: those
who brave the cold white death OF
the frozen poles, the poison and hid
den dangers OF the matted jungle.
the surprises Of unknown seas, the
uncharted stretches Of desert OF
mountain lands; those who advance
willingly into the presence Of germs
Of death, who work patiently and In.
tently at the bedsides where plaques
abide; those who toll, apparently
without cessation. In the laboratory
, with remarkable application of mind
and body to bring forth some benefit
for mankind from the realm Of OBJ
,, scurity. =
One reason why we worship these
heroes Is that We see qualities and
powers in them developed to a de-
gree far beyond the reach OF the or.
dinary mortal; but another reason,
and one that would like to stress,
10 that we recognise them, as possess.
ing the same love for adventure that
IL within the heart Of each Of us,
only in their case It produces such
remarkable satisfaction and results.
Adventure! The spirit Of adven.
turei What thrill It brings to us
how It makes the pulses leap, the
brain quicken, the eyes sparkle al
one contemplates exploring something
wholly or in part unknown, as one
| contemplates q thrilling experience
soon to be undergone! The world OF
the unknown or partially known IL
out there and ones whole being 1,
athrob with the exciting and inspir-
ing thought Of the adventure al
hand.
OF course, this fine spirit Of ad.
venture Is abused, as when we allow
1t to lead US into gambling or sight,
to satisfy q curiosity distinctly NOR.
bid; but the spirit itself IL q splen!
did, uplifting thing and has been deep.
ly ingrained in human nature by q
provident Creator.
We all are continually desiring ad.
ventures, but to many 1t seems thai
the desire meets with small graft.
fication; We are not an Abraham, q
David, an Alexander, q Napoleon, q
Newton, an Edison, Perry or Q
Scott.
There is, however, one Great Ad.
venture within the reach of every.
one You have to take Just one ster
and you are in the midst Of the
greatest adventure the world, could
possibly contain. It must be admitted
that he who Is specially equipped car
experience the greater depths of thi.
adventure, but no one Is 10 poorly en-.
dowed that he cannot appreciate 1t tc
a good extent.
What Is this great adventure
What In this blocd-stirring. enticing
experience, ready for all types and all
classes to embark upon It? It 10 moth
ing else than religion. our Christian