The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-24

the opening exercises held last night.
 A sermon by Rev. Bostrom and a
 greeting by Rev. Scott were among
 the features. Rev. Bostrom in his
 sermon pointed out that church fes-
 tivities, such as the present one,
 differ from secular anniversaries.
 There is more reality to church anniversary. The living Saviour is
 present with us the same today as
 He was when the congregation was organized 50 years ago, he declared. He stressed the theme of members of the parish and of the country seeking refuge under the wings of God. If we desire to find shelter under the wings of Christ, we should have most spiritually profitable celebration of this 50th anniversary, Rev. Bostrom, who served as pastor here from 1912 to 1920, said.
 There are four groups of people, not necessarily in this church, but in the country today who are not seek ing such refuge, he added. The first group maintains that scientists and the "wise men" who claim a monop- oly on knowledge contend there is nothing to religion and although ad- rnitting the Bible is authentic, cast doubts on it.
 You can't succeed in undermining the truth of Gods word, Rev. Bos- trom said, pointing out that al- though some minor discrepancies prove the truth of the Bible for a counterfeiter of the word of God would have easily avoided such palp- able errors. He urged the audience to read and study the Bible and you will find rising before your mind picture of a person that is true and unmistakeably God so that no infidel can take it away from you. We will know He has what we need," the speaker said.
 Hardships Anticipated
 The second group, Rev. Bostrom continued, say they don't read the Bible much, but ask how all the things happening in the world to- day, such as murder, injustice, vio- lence, cruelty, how just God can let these things take place.
 If we read Gods word, the minis ter pointed out, we will find He was aware of the hardships the Chris tians have to face. He said they shall persecute them and stone them, and knew there would come a day when he would meet death at the hands of these people, Rev. Bos- trom added. He knew that by his | sacrifice he could offer refuge for all time to people.
 The third group feel they have gone too far afield from Christ's commandments to ever be permitted to return, the speaker said, and ! that they must continue outcasts, spiritually speaking. Nothing can stand between. you and God except your own will."' Rev. Bostrom said, Not all your. sins can draw you away from God if you really want to belong to Him.. But on the other hand if you do not desire to take refuge under. these wings, not all the sermons, not all the ministers ol all the angels could do you any good if you do not wish to come to God" ....
 The fourth. group, the former local minister said, feels that in such an anniversary as the present one, they are outsiders because of be- which have robbed them of beloved ones. Now is the real time for such as these to cele- orate, he pointed out, as there is in the congregation and between us and those who have gone on.. So long as we nave pleasures and happiness, we are prone@to forget to lift our eyes ID to see the star of Jesus, but when the night of sorrow falls, we Ire more likely to turn our minds md thoughts to His guiding star.
 In conclusion, re pointed out the have the invitation turing this anniversary to seek helter under the wings of God. let us not fail to accept this invi- ation, he declared.