The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-09-12
Rev. Wallace Wears
Farewell Sermon

On Wednesday evening Bro. Wear
delivered the second Of his last four
messages to his people. Subject,
"The Fiery Furnace of the Worlds
War" based upon the deliverance of
the Hebrew children from the fiery
furnace. These three courageous
servants of the Heavenly King car
ried with them into this fiery fur
mace Jesus Christ who was recog-
nized in bodily form by the wicked
and blasphemous king. Their trust
was placed in God whom they con-
fidently affirmed was able to deliver
them from this furnace. By his pow
er and might they emerged un-
scathed, stronger men in their faith
and devotion to Jehovah. Their
place now in Babylon was an exalt-
ed one-to establish the worship of
Jehovah, their God. Lesson for us:
We are in the fiery furnace of this
worlds war; around us the world
lies torn and bleeding; heart-strings
are broken; wives, mothers and lit
tie ones are left desolate and mourn,
ing; we are passing through the fur
mace in this mighty conflict. If we
take Christ with us into this con-
tiict we will come out unscathed. Ev-
en- now we are confronted by diff
culties in presenting Jesus, the Saw
Jour to our boys. By the act of the
committee on religious work none
but army chaplains, Knights of Co.
lumbus and Y. M. G. A. workers
can preach or minister to our soldiers
all others are debarred from the
camps. A great cry of protest comes
from all protestant denominations
from every corner of this broad Lib
erty-loving land-a land which by
our Constitution ENSURES us religious
liberty. Unless this order is rescind-
ed, there will not be Baptis,
preacher in camp to preach TO our
Baptist boys. God rules and If we
carry Jesus with us in this conflict
we will win. We are facing a great
crisis in our church history, when a
body Of men with icvic authority can
dictate in regard to religious affairs
The Baptists have ever fought for re-
ligious liberty and have won after
suffering persecution and martyrdom
Yet from the present aspect we may
have that great issue to face again
the separation of the church and
the State.
LII that day shall come the Baptist
Will face 1t with the same persevering
courage and firm conviction as did
our Baptist forefathers. The world
has for the past generation looked to
Germany for its polish and culture
She has dictated to the world its
standards in art, science, literatlre
and music. But Germany has los.
this exalted position. When this
mighty conflict Is ended the world
will look to America for all the high
ideals in the realms of art, science,
literature and music. America will
be equal to her great opportunity. AS
Christian nation our opportunity
will be far-reaching and momentous;
we will preach Jesus and his power
to save to the nations that sit in
atheism, agnistism and who know
not the Lord and Saviour. When
there is world -wide democracy, we
Will see this leven of democracy
working in the denominations; the
people will demand democracy in the
church government. Those in high
ecclesiastical positions will have to
give way before the mighty onrush
OF worldwide democracy. There is
q danger that imperils our church
when those in civil authority dictate
religious affairs. In M opinion
the call to prayer that sings out over
our land should have come from the
church which is the power house of
prayer and stands for things spir-
itual, are watch towers for Gods
work in this broad liberty loving
land, yet the call comes from those
in civil authority and thus looses
its prestige and power. We will
emerge from this conflict with a
greater work to perform, larger
field of labor. Men and women tried
in the fiery furnace of this worlds
war will be stronger men and wom-
en- with higher aims and purposes