The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-12-25
SUNDAY SERVICE
FEATURED WITH
STRONG SERMON
Rev. Potter Holds Birth
of Christ Great Divide
in History of Civiliza-
ton

Before a congregation that filled
to capacity the Presbyterian Church,
the pastor. Rev J. Sherman Potter,
preached Christmas sermon Sunday.
The service was enriched by the sing
ing OF Holy Night" by Professor
Carl Solomon, and the special number
rendered by the choir. "Oh Come 10
My Heart, Lord Jesus"
Mr.. Potter used the analogy OF the
Great Continental Divide" to point
out the significance of the birth OF
Jesus in history. He said in part:
when you cross this country OF
ours as you enter the portals OF the
West from the East. or. from this
Pacific slope go eastward. there is
point in the Rocky Mountains
known as The Great Divide stand
ing anywhere on this ridge one may
discern the sources from which arises
the great Missouri Mississippi river
system. and also the Snake-Columbia
river system, making possible the won
derful fertility and prosperity OF the
middle west, and the northwest re-
spectively. On the great divide the
east and west met. Kipling sings:
"Oh east is east. and west is west.
- and never the twain shall meet,
y Till earth and sky stand presently at
Gods great judgment seat
but this is only poetic sentiment.
and not altogether true. For, as the
source OF these rivers rise in close
orox;mity on the great divide east
and west meeting in the heights OF
the rockies. so the cradle OF the Beth
Iehem babe proves to be meeting
point of many divergent streams OF
humanity. Looking back DER the
centuries. the birth of the Christ child
Vi. one OF the great pinnacle events
of human history. It is the halfway
point between that wonderful event
on the one hand, OF which IT IS writ
ten. in the beginning. Cod and, on
the other hand, OF that far-otf event
toward which the whole creation
moves Our chronology dates from
the manger scene. The birth OF our
Saviour is the great divide OF hui
man history. Here east and west
north and south-all the convergen'
streams OF humanity meet to pear
homage to the newborn King.
"The wise-men OF the east bring
lheir gifts. Legend proclaims the
Mag; three-Balthasar of Egypt, Cas-
mar. of Greece. and Melchoir, IRON
India. Their gifts were three, % an
open heart; (2) an open mind; C3) an
open hand. They brought an open
mind in that they examined careiully
the evidence and the fact OF the sa'
yior's coming, and they were con
v;nced that the Prince OF Peace was
really Graded there in Bethlehem
\ They brought an open heart Tor they
worshipped him in falth as 'ne %" - -
God the Savior Of the world ne'
brought an open hand. for open'ns
,bc;r treasures they offered unto HIN
g;fts These gifts were three-'oio
and have deep significance. on'
brought gold, symbolic OF the "a
v;ors Kingship. Another broush
frankincense. symbolic OF his d'vin
NV The third brought myrrh, point
ing on TO his death. Thus, today "
rendering homage to our Lord, 'e
nc hiring ,he gifts of the Magi' a.
on., mind to acknowledge his divin
claims upon us. an open heart
,vorsb;o him as Lord and King, an
an omen hand to present him s'lt'
And the creates, gift we can ono
;s humble and contrite heart.
Sunday evening the church wa "a
again well-hllcd and an appreelans
audience heard the reading OF IN
famous Dickens classic. The Chris'
,,.s CAROL" Mrs. Paul Case san
beautifully a Christmas solo, ana !"
eho;r sang. Behold | Bring fo
Good Tidings.