The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-11-04
CAPACITY AUDIENCE
 HEARS DR. D|LLARD'S FIRST DISCOURSE
''The Gospel I Preach" Sub. ject of Masterly Discourse by New Southside Bap-
 tist Pastor

Dr. James E. Dillard delivered his frs sermon to large, attentive and appre- ciative audience at the Southside Bap- tist church yesterday morning, his sub ject being, "The Gospel Preach" Every available seat in the spacious auditorium was occupied.
 AS sort of prelude to his discourse, Dr. billiard read the s4th Psalm, and made reference to the first verse of the 18th chapter of First Corinthians.
 .'I would rather be little man with & big gospel, than to be big man with little gospel sa1d pr. Dillard. "A preacher ought to know, believe and love his message. I know that I have the best gaspel in the world.
 When God calls man to preach, He also calls a congregation to hear him When a preacher loses his congregation lose my faith in his call to the min
 stry; or, if he were ever called, think the call has been cancelled. When d church calls a preacher it ought to stand by him with It's presence, its prayers anu it's CO., operation
 pr. billiard, in very forceful language. urged the members of the church to oo their best He reiterated that he has a great gospel and enthusiastically invit- ed their CO., operation in propagating IL. NO one has to be a preacher to accept the gospel any more than he has to pc an electrician to have his home lighted by electricity; all he needs to know to get electric lights in his home IS to KhoW how%sto press the button and turn oi the lights; so. all he needs to know to accept the gospel is to know how to ns- I av,J
 "A man becomes better thinker aftei he has been Christian awhile; his req soning power becomes strongeo' 1hs fundamental object of every man 8 nie should be to follow Christ. The laws ol God are not incompatible with the na- ture of man; his soul demands the oo- servance of them. Mans life IS ren- dered more useful by contact with Christ and the attractions on earth are tne same as those in heaven, except that ID heaven they are of a larger degree.
 pr. Dillard dwelt very forcibiy ana very Interestingly upon the free moral agency of man. he said that man is the only object of Gods creation that enjoys tnis privilege. He also spoke VI wEh emphasis upon the fact that God doesn't want forced homage, but the voluntary ana anxious worship of mans heart. AS an illustration of this point he said that the hygienist lays the laws of health De. fore the individual, but does not compei him to obey them. That Is left with him. So God places the privilege Of do- ing right or wrong before man and leaves him to choose which he will do.
 Man" he said, was created In the image of God, to be a companion of God. Therefore, the laws of God natur- ally attract him. The exercise of these laws makes him stronger"
 "By the cross we conquer" is the sum mary of the gospel Dr. billiard said that he brings to the people of Birmingham. He said that the cross brings peace and glory into the soul of man, and as Christ gave himself for us, so we must giVs ourselves for Him, we must make sacri- fices.
 When a church is planted souls are planted' he said. The church is work shop, and every member has some tool, which he should use. It Is ~elso an ob- servatory in which it's members may catch wonderful visions of heaven"
 The welcome and appreciation Of Dr. Dillard's eloquence, profound thought and benignant countenance by the audi ence was evidenced by the many hearty hand shakes, smiling faces, and kind words with which they greeted him at the conclusion of the service.
 As a fitting climax to this initial meet ing, 29 members were received into Nle church by letter, most Of whom were from other Birmingham churches.
 Dr. billiard announceDl his intention of eliminating the making of announcements from the pulpit They will be made in the church calendar, and should be re- ceived by him not later than Thursday of each week.