The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-07-26
DR. JACOBS BEGINS SERIES 0F SERMONS. AT LOCAL CHURCH
Texas Pastor Is Filling In- dependent Presbyterian Church Pulpit During
 Dr. EdmOnds' Absence

Dr. William States Jacobs of Houston, Tex, who is filling the pulpit of the Independent Presbyterian church, was greeted by two large congregations yes terday
 At the Lyric theatre last night he de- livered what was pronounced one of the greatest and most finished orations ever heard in Birmingham. He spoke on the general theme of national idealsm and keeping his subject above any political issue he made masterful plea for the preservation of the ideals which have been sanctified by the blood of the na- tion's sons.
 Dr. Jacobs is a pastor of unusual power and attainments and in addition to his church work he is a leader in the civic life of his community. He is presi- dent of the Houston Kiwanis Club, which is recognized as one of the livest and most wide awake bodies of it's kind in the United States. His sermon yester- day morning was first of series on "The Five Great Themes of Christian Religion
 pr. Jacobs is filling the pulpit at inc Independent Presbyterian Church during the absence of Dr. Henry M. 1 Edmonds pastor, on four weeks va | cation For the past fifteen years pr Jacobs has been pastor of the Flrst | Presbyterian Church of Houston. Ills congregation is said to be one of the | largest in the south. 1 Sunday morning services will be con ducted from Temple Emanu-El and | Lyric thea tre as usual. Dr. Jacobs states that ! his services will be confined strictly | to one hour.
 1 While in Birmingham pr. Jacobs has been invited to address number or | the clubs and civic associations or the city. He is a polished speaker and his sermon at Temple Emanu-El yes terday held the closest attention of his hearers.
 | < Taking up the first of his five themes ."The Sovereignty of God pr. Jacobs said:
 This theme is essentially funda- mental to all thought of God and re- Iligion. There may be differences or opinion as to many details of religious belief but upon this subject there IS not room for a difference of opinion any more than there is room for argu = ments about the authority of the null Itfplication table. There are some things that are settled and this is one of them
 q do not mean by this to say that honest inuuirinE minds should pc gagged There could be no greater mistake than to smother honest think ing have a great admiration Tor those courageous spirits who With earnest purpose to serve God fight Tor 1 their views.
 l T quite agree with one of our poets | who said:
 "I honor the man who is willing te
 sink
 Half his present repute for the freedom
 to think,
 And when he has thought be his cause
 strong or weak,
 Will sink the other half for the free-
 dom to speak.
 "Open mindedness is always safe Ii it's activities are inspired by an earn est purpose. But upon the subJect or Gods sovereignty aught but suomis- sion is rebellion against the Almighty
 Gods eternal purpose and hi' knowledge of all things from the be- ginning circumscribe our conduct anu our faith to the extent that Is neces- sary for our present or future spiritual bappjness and security to seek only the accomplishments of this ideal ana after all his purposes are indefensa DIG
 You cannot hinder the rising Of the sun or the flowing of the tides Nelthe' can you in the moral or spiritual King dom defeat His purpose
 eve admit that to appearances there are times when it seems that Gods purposes and His cause have suffered floss and come to naught but when wisely interpreted and better under stood we learn that:
 "'These struggling tides of life tha
 seem
 Tn endless wayward course to tend Are but eddies of mighty stream Il That rolls to it's appointed end True religion is putting oneself 1T harmony with the great and holy vii of God Sin is the selfish opposition to that will"
 -.a.