The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-14
DIR. EDMONDS SPEAKS
 ON "CHRISTIAN LIFE"

God never speaks in patience, sim plicity, love or faith, except through hu- man beings" said Dr. Henry M. Ed monds yesterday morning, after intro duclng his text: T am the vine, ye are the branches" Gohn xiv:5)
 To large and attentive congregation pr. Edmonds spoke with eloquent sim plclty Of the fruitful life, and it's de- penoence upon God, while in reverence ne proclaimed Gods dependence: Not upon trumpet blasts of angels, but upon the slow, toilsome, imperfect lives of men who are. His disciples, for the win ming of other men,"
 In response to the question: What fruit must the Christian life bear?, the minister pointed to Paurs reminder to the Galauons: The fruit of the Spirit IS love, joy, peace, long suffering, meek ness, temperance, faith" Also to the words of Jesus when He spoke specially of love and joy, and prayer, and wit messing for Him, as fruits whereby those are known who claim to be His Followers. The pastor spoke of love as the nigh mark of character, to be aspired toward bby Christians as zealousy as young America aspires to be known to the passer-by as the boy who can whip any boy in town"
 When you pass by, do others say, Herein is love? |" inquired Dr. Edmonds adding sagely "Ah, that each of us might wear sign proclaiming to others: Here I am, but this is not the best the grace of God can do.'"
 The minister emphasized the duty of joy, even under difficulties, and of tie Christians obligation to cultivate 1t. de- spite the hindrance of temperament, or disposition, until it fills the life as light lends itself to the cluster of purple grapes.
 In stressing the value of prayer as the fruit of Christian living reference was made to Martin Luther, who gave him self to prayer one hour each day unless the day promised to be more than ordi- narily busy, when he set aside two hours for it's preparation, through prayer
 Without prayer we labor in vain,' re- minded Dr. Edmonds. If you haven't time to pray, you are wasting energy and power all day.
 The minister referred to the lovely faces of children whose lives had been glorified by the prayers at the family altar, and he spoke of the qualifications for leadership especially demonstrated by men and women who were children of preachers and farmers, whose lives had been safeguarded and guided through the prayers that blessed such homes.
 As the fruit of discipleship in witness ing for Christ, the church was likened to group of people banded together in His name for His service, each one missionary, whose mission is to win some other to the Christian life.
 Expressing a wish that it were possible to close the sermon without the warn ing, the pastor added that of the unfruit- fut branches cast aside to wither. In an appeal for the fruitful life before the end, Dr. Edmonds in substance con cluded:
 God doesn't ask if you are a mur- derer or a thief. The question is: Are you worth the life He is pouring into you?
 "A little while we are living together here before we pass on. Let us labor the day, without the feverish haste at the end to make up in one chap ter all the meaning of life, so that in the evening we can lay aside our tools, and with our gardens glorified by the fruits of the Spirit, turn to greet the King"