Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-05-05
MEMORIESFILL
SERMON TO OLD
Many Past 90 And Four
Past 80 Head DR..
Sledge

Wednesday AFTERNOON StlNiCt a.
the First Baptist Church was esrS-
cially for the old members Of the
congregation, with q representative
number of persons past 90 present.
Four more than 80 years Of age.
were present. DR.. W. H. Slcdge
had a special message for these PEG
pie well on the way to the setting
sun of life, with a musical prOgl am
composed entirely Of old and taLhll-
lar and loved songs, in which the old
people joined.
DR.. Sledge brought three pictures
to the forefront in his sermon, thS'e
which had a prototype in the mllfa
of each old person present.
First, he drew a graphic descrlp~
ton of the childhood home as 1t
nestled among the giant trees which
composed the grove in front of the
simple dwelling which was rendered
sacred by the name of home. He
drew pictures of the verdant fields
of corn and cotton and the sweet
potato; Of the old gin house, where
in every fall was stored the fleecy
cotton on which the children jump
ed and played; of the ginning pro
cess of the long beam to which were
harnessed oxen or mules, the chill
dren sitting on the heavy timber as
the happy darkies drove round and
round, converting the staple into
a well-packed bale, and singing their
folk songs as they walked. He
spoke tenderly of the evening hours,
when the family gathered about the
fireside, and father drew down the
family Bible and read the beautiful
lessons of righteousness and love
and forbearance and harmony Of
the going to bed in the trundle bed,
with mother kneeling beside tacI
couch and repeating the simple
words which invoked the blessings
and protection of the Father upon
the little sleeper.
Old School House.
Next, the description of the school
house, where the teacher sat on AM
elevated platform, and neld despotic
sway for eight hours of the day. DR..
Sledge humorously called to mind
the. little tin pail, filled with good
substantial food, with the bottle OF
syrup and the snowy biscuit, in
which holes were punched for the
cylup W De poured lHJO.
Third, he pictured the little
wooden church, with the simple
benches and the little melodeon on
which gospel songs were played, ac-
companied by the sweet voices OF
the singers as their hearts were at
tuned to the simple words which
were spoken by the messenger who
came to have a revival in their
midst. And he recalled heart thrill
as young life was consecrated to
the service of God by an open pro-
fession of faith.
With the portrayal of these tender
memories in the lives of the old peo-
plei- DR.. Sledge asked that all who
had passed the age of so come and
take their places near the altar.
Shall We Gather at the River"
was sung in tremulous voices byI
those who will soon be gathering at
the river, and happy tears flowed.
Last night DR.. Sledge took for his
text the memorable question, "What
Shall | Do to Be Saved?" asked by
the jailer of Paul
Works Not Enough.
He dealt positively and negative
y WIN VIC iSSucJ saying IndL WORKS
alone would not save.
Grace must be before and behind
the works to make salvation sure"
he said. people are prone to pin |
too much faith to the ordinances of
the church-baptism, for instance,
which thew believe hos 2 saving eff |
cheney when in reality il is merely
q ceremonial an EXPRESSION Of com |
pliance with the rules of the church.
Salvation must come through belief |
and not through water in any FORM"
he stated.
The plan of salvation has al
ready been mapped out for people, |
from which there is no deviation. !
Centuries have not effected an i'm
movement, and the wav must lead
through belief and faith
Mrs. James W. Harris sang 81
Will Arise and go to Jesus and
brought the climax to a high tide
meeting. Propositions were made
and accepted freely, making the
service one of deep spirituality.