The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-17
SAVING OTHERS. IS
 SERMON THOUGHT
Dr. Edmonds Delivers Forceful Sermon on Christ's Inability
 at Morning Service

i Into the glorious sunlight streamed the large congregation of the Indepen- dent Presbyterian church that had been assembled for yesterday mornings wor- l ship at Temple Emanu-El, each carrying home the radiant life message of self 1 forgetfulness for the sake of serving others.
 Such was the central thought Dr.. Henry NJ Edmonds framed into words that were few and beautiful. like iit- tie etching that pictured the meaning of the Christ life, the purpose of Geth- semane and Calvary, of the cross and the crown of life everlasting. "He saved others: Himself He cannot save" pr. Edmonds quoted as the text, from the forty-second verse of the twef- ty-seventh chapter of Matthew, upon which he based his discourse on "Christs Inability"
 Many truth is spoken in jest re- minded the minister. while in substance he continued True were the jibes of the people. of the scribes, and the priests, that saving others, Himself He could not save Christ's~ inability to save Himself is g truism to those who understand the paradox of Christianity History is replete with accounts or badges of shame transformed into dia- dems of glittering renown. Truth was spoken, indeed, though it was in r1di- cule and scorn. Yet today we celebrate with bowed heads and uplifted hands the thing they regarded as raillery and ac- cusation. Out of this paradox is woven all the field of the cloth of gold, all the glory of human life" said Dr. Ed- mcnds.
 In illustration of the selflessness in human life like unto divine sef-forget- fitness of the Christ life, the speaker pointed to Jean Vatican, the hunted hero nf Lac Micara h1aG strong willing Jean Vatican, under the cast that was stuck in the mire. Under the heavy cart he was using muscle and sinew and nerve, pressing himself to the earth in order to place the vehicle on safe ground.
 '~The only way one man can lift an- other is to get underneath the burden of another, and lift the weight of it." was Dr. Edmond's thought.
 Tt seems sometimes to us that Jesus sought martyrdom,' he continued. Yet it only seems so. It is true that He saw the necessity for it, and that He was unwilling to turn aside from duty even though that duty was welded to death He set His face steadfastly toward Je rusalem when He might have turned, 1t toward Athens or Rome.
 ''They take not my life from me. lay it down of myself :" quoted the pas tor, while he added: You and I are not stronger than He. And if we are to save others, if we are to build after His fashion-self assertion, vanity. self seek ing, pride. regard for personal opinion, the saving of self, cannot be entertained in the presence of the cross where He hung"
 The pastor expressed the hope that men and women, boys and girls, during 1921, at all times, and everywhere would be volunteers in acceptance of the law, of the cross, that must prevail if bands or groups, or families, or neghbors are uplifted.
 "Wherefore God hath highly exalted Him to give Him a name above others was the triumph that was recalled as Dr. Edmonds referred to the name of Jesus as the one which thrilled through more music, was written into more books and looked out from more canvases than any other name
 "To reign with Him.. he reminded earnestly, 'is to suffer with Him."
 The impressive service of the morning was concluded with the administration of the Lords supper and the benedction