Evening star., 1921-05-02
NEW PASTOR HEARD
IN INITIAL sermon
Dr.. Abernethy Greeted by
Large Crowd at Calvary
Baptist Church.

Rev. DR.. w S. Abernethy yesterday
delivered his first sermon since coming
from Kansas City. Mo. to become pas
tor of Calvary Baptist Church. He en-
phasized the importance of the relation
of old ia shioned religion to success III
life. 4 congregation that hlied the
auditorium of the church to oNernoW-
ing greeted the new minister. Many
ty ISLANDERS who had hoped to glimpse
President and Mrs. Harding were DIS
appointed when they did not appear.
Emphasizes Faith and Service.
Selecting as his text, Col. 1.ls.
That in all things He might have the
pre- -eminence.' Dr. Abernethy called at
tention to the fact that greatness is
predicated on faith and service:
church is not great because of it's
wealth or it's fine edifce or its large
but. as in individuals. because
OF the service rendered humanity. ne
explained. Greatness in nation uoeS
not depend on politics or resources, but
on the nations conception OF iod
through faith he implied, adding that
religion was the great need of the hour.
We Americans are fond of using
the word great" said Dr.. Abernethy
We talk oi our great wealth. our
great resources. our great ach!eNe-
ments. Our Lord cautioned us as TO
the use of the word. Service, said he.
is the test of true greatness. Neither
nation. nor church. nor individual can
lay claim to greatness that is not
willing to abide by that test.
NO church can live on its past
reputation. The new day calls for
enlarged vision and great
er achievements.
I Determines Measure 0f Faith.
the measure of our faith. He who has
an enlarged conception of the deity
finds himself possessed Of great faith,
and great faith is necessary to great
undertakings. 1t is the consensus of
opinion among keen students of the
hope. Politics will -notsaVe us. nor
craftsmanship. nor will education. All
are good in their place, but the world
needs religion.
Christ exalted in the life OF the
individual means more than attend
ing church Sunday morning and say
ing our prayers at bigHt 1t means
turning over TO Him the actual control
OF ones life. Christ exalted in the
home circle means MORE, than having
a Bible on display. chrkt exalted in
our nation means more than putting
In God We TRUST 6h DIR tcoins. 1t
means obedience TO His will and His
word. 1t means letting Him give the
orders under which we are 10 live
and work May this be the control
ling idea throug nout the length of this
pastorate--'that in all things He might
have the pre-eTinence.
A special feature Of the morning
service was the rendition by Mrs. r.
B. Rogers, soprano, of New York. OF
Hear Ye. Israel from Elijah" by
Mendelssohr. Her beautiful voice
seemed specially suited TO interpret
ing the deep feeling and emotion Of
the music.
Succeeds DIR. 3. II. Greene.
Dr. Abernethy, who succeeds the
late Rev. DR.. Samuel II. Greene. for
merly was pastor Of the First Baptist
Church Of Kansas City. He and his
wife are at present the guests Of Mr..
and Mrs w W. Everett. Later DR..
Abernethy Will bring his sons here.
The Vaughan class Of the church
will be hosts tonight at o'clock at. a
reception in the church in honor of
the new pastor and his wife.
President and Mrs. Harding have
been invited to attend reception
Wednesday night at the church in
honor of DR. and Mrs. Abernethy. The
public will be invited TO meet the new
nastor and his wife at this time. with
The church as host. Secretary of state
Hughes will be asked to serve in the
receiving line.