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THE PULPIT. A BP.ILLIANT SUNDAY SERMON BY THE REV. S. H. COX. Subject: Church of the Future. Brooklyn, N. Y.—The Rev. Sydney Herbert Cox, in an address to the people of the Congregational Church of the Evangel, of which he is pastor, spoke of ''The Church of ihe Future,” such a church as he would like to see built and sustained. Among other things he said: The Church of the Evangel—Con¬ gregational—is free in its offer of church membership to any persons who, without accepting its creed as a test, will make a single and simple confession, that they believe Jesus to be the supreme expression to men, in human form, of what God is like, and what He would have us become. This is what we mean by modernism. That the life of a church depends not upon its creed, but upon its spirit. Therefore we do not insist that any one else shall accept our creed in the exact terms in which we interpret it. It is impossible for a thinking man not to have a creed of some sort. But as Congregationalists we agree to differ upon all matters that we deem unessential. We believe that the example of the life of Jesus as we have it in the four gospels is sufficient to make any man who will try it such a man as God would ac¬ cept as His eternal friend, and help toward perfection of character. Therefore we ask of a man who wishes to join our church, not what does he think concerning the lead¬ ing religious doctrines of his day, but does he believe in following Jesus as the Master of men and is he honest¬ ly trying to do so? His creed only interests us as the intellectual ex¬ pressions of his moral and religious character. He depends for his au¬ thority in religion exactly as we do, upon direct communication with God’s spirit. So, in this intellectual attitude toward religion, we do not decry or unkindly criticise those other religious bodies whose adher¬ ents differ very widely from our view. We believe firmly and grate fully that Greek and Roman Catholi¬ cism, all forms of Protestantism. Unitarian and Trinitarian, as well as Judaism, have each contrib¬ uted much to the world’s religious life, and that even the faiths of the Orient, both ancient and modern, have been a part of God’s growing revelation to the world. The social message of Christianity has long been misunderstood or ne¬ glected. Now it is being proclaimed everywhere, and no live church can escape its appeal. In the church we are to build, and the work we seek to do, we must recognize its place. I have spent ten years amid social problems, six years in the Hell’s Kitchen section of Manhattan Island. I believe that my experience has equipped me in some humble way to preach the gospel of Jesus, and build up a church that shall represent the life of God in the souls of men. I do not need to proclaim myself a Socialist of any brand, nor to join some new ism, in order to love my fellow men and serve them. To me the biggest opportunity in life is to be a Christian—a Christ’s man, to serve men. What kind of a church, then, do I hope to see built and for what work? Christianity and Socialism alike seek the development of an efficient society, a social order of stable equilibrium. But Christianity in¬ sists that there can be no perfected society, except by the regeneration of each individual. It is not enough to provide a perfect environment of justice and live by the most beauti¬ ful socialistic legislation; there must be a moral power in each person, causing him to fit in to such a per¬ fect society! Such a moral power can never be produced by perfect economic and social legislation, but by the making of a new moral man in each individual by some Divine power outside himself. Such a power has not been found outside Jesus Christ, however Ho is to be interpreted If the Christian religion is to make each individual an efficient member of society, it can only do so as it perfects each function of that individual man. The Christian re¬ ligion must improve his body as well as his mind and soul. It cannot achieve one and neglect either or both of the othei’3. Our supreme work, however, is tbe culture of the soul. Few of us can define what we mean by the soul. But all of us understand what is meant by the culture of the soul. The phrase appeals to me more and more powerfully as I grow older. The development and enrichment of the highest powers within us so that we feel our personality ennobled by the kindling of sacred fires and the consciousness of divine passions over w*hich we know this transitory world has no ultimate dominion. The cul¬ ture of the soul involves for me three elements: worship, education and work. • What is worship? It is devotion, instruction, evangelism. In devo¬ tion man’s soul expresses his grati¬ tude to God for life and its hopes, his Contrition for conscious sin, and bis prayer for strength to endure the discipline of his spiritual education, and to achieve his final spiritual vic¬ tory over the lower and sinful self. By instruction man seeks to acquire in orderly possession by sure knowl¬ edge those doctrines of faith which describe in his own language the ex¬ periences through which he has passed, .or those which he hopes to possess and believes^to be- a pdrt of bis eternal inheritance from his Father, God. Next to the importance of the auditorium for worship, which is our most important room, we must build a church equipped for religious edu¬ cation. The preacher's sermons should do this in part, and do it systematically, else he is a poorly trained preacher, though sometimes he may be a great preacher in spite of his poor training and not because of it. But the church is more than a pulpit for preaching. It is and always ought to he a great school for religious education. And this means chiefly a great school for Bible study. Men who do not con¬ fess Jesus as Christ, or seek to fol¬ low Him as Lord, admit that the world has no other literature com¬ parable to the Hebrew Scriptures of the Old Testament and the Chris¬ tian writings of the New Testament. These writings, a library of sixty sk books, commonly called by us the Bible, constitute a marvelous book of life, with every variety of human experience, written in every type of literary presentation, and possessed all through by a marvelous moral power, a spiritual illumina¬ tion and a grip on man's moral being which make this Bible something in man's life which he cannot avoid without moral loss, and cannot read without spiritual reproof and re¬ morse or defiance or repentance. The Bible must be reckoned with. Man has a right to its constant perusal and self-interpretation which some churches deny to him. Millions of our fellow men go through life un¬ conscious of thi3 priceless posses¬ sion, which, if they once realized its existence and value, they would give all else to be able to enjoy and pos¬ sess. Millions more in Protestant Christendom come to years of ma¬ turity utterly ignorant of the real value and moral vitality of this great book of God, and though nominally accepting its contents at their pre¬ sumed face value, place no actual reliance upon it as a source of life. This is partly due to an unreal meth od of interpretation, partly to an unreal theological authority, and partly due to its exclusion from our public system of education as a literature for literary analysis and examination, and as a great treasure house of moral information capable of being memorized without re¬ course to sectarian explanation or ecclesiastical influence of sinister de¬ sign. No Congregationalist believes in State aid to religions communi¬ ties or ecclesiastical objects. Let every religious organization stand or fall, live or die. according as it ex¬ fall, live or die, according as it gives it a right to live in a free at mosphere which is guaranteed as a necessity of life, How then is Bible study to be pursued? By '•quipping every church as a thorough Bible school with every modern facility known to pedagogy, philosophy, psychology and religious adminis tration. The churches of the future cen¬ turies will only live as they are worthy to live with the advancing sciences of government, industry and education. We are to do the work of build¬ ing up men in Christian character. Not merelv moral men, or educated men, or civilized men, but men re¬ deemed and reconstructed in charac¬ ter by tbe oower of a Person whom we love and worship as the Christ of God, and apart from whom we do not believe this sniritual life of re¬ generation is possible. This work demands that each member of the Christian church shall do his share. It demands that we shall live and work for the com¬ munity all the time. Not for our¬ selves—the community and the community Father will care for us. Some souls need worship, some need social life, some need good books, some need physical culture, as the starting point of a new intellectual life or spiritual passion. The Chris¬ tian church can sanctify all these modes of renewing men’s life. It must be a working institution. Open at all reasonable hours, for all ra¬ tional purposes that aid in religious development. It must be the great sniritual centre from which radiates the religious strength of the homes that stand around it and to which comes the spiritual response that mul¬ tiplies and maintains its power and resources. Reconciled. A young husband and v/ife were walking, one summer evening, through a country churchyard, and they were attracted by two little graves, side by side, on which were laid wreaths and crosses of fresh flowers. The date of the little ones’ death was seen by the headstone^ some years back. The names were those of two children, only two and three years o’.d, and underneath were the words, “Thy will be done.” “How dreadfully sad!” said thq young husband. “If our baby were to die I could never say that,” said the young wife, pointing to the text. Let us hope you will not be tried," said the young husband. But when they returned home that night they found the baby ailing, and before very long, a little grave—such a little grave!—had to be dug for it, too. For a time the poor mother’s heart rebelled terribly. She mourned as one who had no hope, and on the tombstone of her little one she had inscribed the words: “I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” Later on, through years of trial and suffering, God led her to a better mind; and when, a woman old in sor row and years, she visited the grave where her child and husband were both lying, she resolved to have that mur¬ muring inscription altered, and in¬ stead of it was treasure is, the heart i3 also; a beneath again, the "text which once, she thought she could not say, “Thy will be done. Home Herald. mit SXinbatjrSciSw INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM¬ MENTS FOR AUGUST 0. Subject: David and Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:J, 18:5—Golden Text, Ps. 11:1—Commit Verses 48, 40—• Commentary. TIME,—-1063 B. C. PLACE,—.. Vale of Elah. EXPOSITION.—I. Goliath’s Boast¬ ing, 3S-44. The challenge of Goliath had filled the hearts of the whole army with dismay (vs. 11,24,32); but young David had no fear. The eyes of all the rest of Israel were upon themselves. The eyes of David were upon God (v. 37). This was the one secret of David’s courage, assurance and victory. It is the secret of all true courage and victory. Saul also had been at one time a man of daunt¬ less courage, but the Spirit of God had now departed from him and he was as big a coward as any in Israel (cf. ch. 16:14). David, relying upon Jehovah, proposed to go and fight the mighty giant single-handed. To cool common sense his proposition seemed the height of absurdity. There was much about Goliath to fill pavid with fear (vs. 4-8). David had taken all these things into account, but he was not afraid; for Jehovah was his salva¬ tion and his strength (cf. Ps. 27:1-3). If we truly trust in the LORD we will never be afraid, no matter though the odds against us seem to be over¬ whelming (Isa. 12:2; Ro. S:31). Even Saul sought to dissuade him (v. 33). When God calls any one of us to fight some Goliath some kindly in tentioned Saul is sure to say, “Thou art not able” (cf. Phil. 4:13). It was a good argument that David brought forward to answer the argument oi unbelief (vs. 34-37). We may wisely trust the God who has delivered us in the past to also deliver us in the pres¬ ent and the future (cf. Ro. S:32). David was confident, furthermore, that Goliath was doomed to defeat because he had defied the living God (vs. 26, 36). Saul sought to help David by clothing him with his own apparel and armor. But the intended ! help proved a real hindrance. It is impossible to fight the battles and win the victories of faith with Saul’s armor (2 Cor. 10:4). When David tried Saul’s armor he was forced to say, “I cannot go with these.” When the church tries the world’s weapons it is sure to find out that it “cannot go with these.” When he found that he could not go with Saul’s armor he very wisely “put them off him.” He took the weapons with which he was familiar. When God calls a man He is very likely to use the weapons Pie finds in the man's hands (cf. Ex. 4:2). David’s preparation seemed utterly insufficient to meet a giant with. In reality David had four more stones than he needed. God had chosen' the weak things of the world to confound the mighty (1 Cor. 1:27). Saul’s armor seemed a much better preparation for such a fight than David’s sling, but David’s sling proved to be a better preparation than Saul’s armor. A few well chosen stones from God’s word are a much better preparation to cope with the modern Goliaths of irfidelity than Saul’a armor and sword of learning and wit and eloquence. Saul’s armor is spoiling many a David in these days. The Philistine regarded David with utter disdain. That is the way in which the Philistine usually re¬ gards God’s champion. But the Philistine’s disdain turned out very i badly for the Philistine himself. Goliath’s disdain did not hurt David’s feelings very much, because David knew who would win. The disdain of the world is a small thing to the in¬ telligent believer. II. David’s Victory, 45-49. All Israel had been frightened by Goli¬ ath’s boasts. Many a professed Chris¬ tian in these days is terribly fright¬ ened by the blatant boasts of infidel¬ ity, but the true man of faith is not at all disturbed by all this bluster. David was not frightened simply be¬ cause his whole trust was “in the name of the LORD of hosts.” David’s answer is well worth studying. Our answer to the boasts of unbelief to¬ day ought to be the same. To the eye of sense “a sword” and “a spear” and “a javelin” seemed like a better equipment than “the name of the Lord of hosts,” but when any man can truly say that he goes into battle “in the name of the Lord of hosts” his victory is sure. Jehovah is “the i God of the armies of Israel.” David I made a great deal of the fact that I Goliath had defied the Lord (v. 45; ' cf. vs. 26, 36). Calmly but fearlessly David declared to Goliath the sure outcome of the battle. He took no credit to himself. He said, “The Lord will deliver thee into my hand. > » David knew that by faith alone. There was nothing for sense to build upon (cf. Heb. 11:1). David would smite Goliath not because of any strength of his own, but only because God had delivered him into his hand. David would do to Goliath and ‘H.he host of the Philistines” just what i Goliath had boasted that he would do to David (v. 46; cf. v. 44). God’s purpose in giving this great victory to David was not merely to magnify David, but “that all the earth may , know that there is God in Israel.” 1 a I David was not aiming at his own i honor but at Jehovah’s, but he got great honor for himself (ch. 18:6, 7). Israel needed to learn a lesson as well th.e world (v. 47, R. V.). The 1 ckui'dh needs to learn that lesson to¬ day, The battle is the Lord's, it is in His hands. * ANTH0INE8’ MACHINE WORKS * We have put in the latest improved Turning & Block Machine and are fitted up to get out round, square and octagon ■ s l ill v: Balusters, Porch Spindles, Base and Corner Blocks. We also have a first-class Wood Lathe for all kinds of hand turning. i We prepared to get out all X 1 are 3 kinds of Dressed Lumber for #! buildings. Rough and Dress¬ 1 M ed Lumber, Flooring, Ceiling i V and Shingles on hand at all times. Don’t forget that we are still in 1 r the Repair Business of Engines, Boilers and other Machinery. ANTHOINE’S MACHINE WORKS. Fort Valley, Ga. 1 —L. I ' JM gg Everything to Build With. We have recently purchased the Harris Manufacturing Company’s lumber plant and stock and will devote our exclusive attention to the builders supply busines in tho future. Our very complete stock includes Brick, Lime, Sand, Cement, Fiber Wall Plaster, Paris Plaster, Laths, Framing—rough or sized to order; Weatherboarding—several grades; Sheeting, Shingles, Prepared Roofing, Kiln Dried Flooring and Ceiling, the kind that don’t crack open—several grades; Doors— plain, and fancy glass front doors; Sash and Blinds— in usual sizes; Window Cords, Weights and Pulleys; Mantels, Columns, Balusters, Brackets, Mouldings, Wainscoting, Corner and Plinth Blocks; Turned and Sawed Work Made to Order; Door and Window Frames; Sherwin-Williams Paint, Oils and Varnishes; Guaranteed Roof Paint. IN FACT Everything to Build CXIith. Bring us a list of the material that you want, or a plan of the house you anticipate building, and let us convince you that our prices are right. Fort Valley Lumber Compa ny. W. H. HAFER, DENTIST. Fort Valley, Georgia Office over First National Bank. C. Z. McArthur, Dentist FORT VALLEY, GA. Office over Slappey’s Drug Store. A. C. RILEY, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW, WRIQIIT BUILDING, Fort Valley, Ga. Practice in all the cou-rts. Money loaned. Titles abstracted. Tirej* Insurance Life H. D. Skcllie. Office Phone No. 54. FORT VALLEY, GA. C. L. SHEPARD, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW, Fort Valley, Ga. Office Over First National Bank. TONSORIAL ARTIST | tonsorial lino ! For anything in the don’t fail to call on WILLIAMS Next Door to Post Office. Experienced workmen and courteous at¬ tention to all. Everything up-to-date. The contract for building the new I city hall at Augusta has been award ed Georgia granite will be used I throughout and the contract figures are are 1259 y,7oU. 750 Eight Rigni bids mas were were enter- eniti j ed. ] Three mass meetings were held in I Atlanta to protest against the convict lease system and its workings. Fully ! ten thousand people attended the dif ferent meetings, the largest crowd 1 gathering in the grand opera house in j that city. Many eloquent speeches were made condemning the system and resolutions to that effect adopted by the; city councils of :Joffer onville, Baldwin, Fort Valley and ether Geor¬ gia towns, were read. 5AM LOO, FIRSKLASS LAUNDRY FORT VALLEY, GA. PRICE LIST. Shirts, plain.............. 10c Shirts, plain or puffed with collar............ 121-2c Suits cleaned....... 50 & $1 Pants pressed...... 25c Collars............... 2 1-2 Capes, collar or fancy 5c Cuffs each per pair 5c Chemise........... 10c Drawers........... 5c Undershirts....... 5c Socks, per pair ... . :.5 C Handkerchiefs..... 2 1-2 Handkerchiefs, silk 5c Shirts, night, ylain 10c Coats............. . ..15 to 25c Vests............. . ..15 to 20c Pants............. ... 25 to 05c Towels............ 2 1-2 to 5c Table cloths....... ... 10 to 25 Sheets............ ......7 1-2 Pillow cases, plain. .......5c Napkins.......... ......2 l-2c Bed spreads...... .. 15 to 25c Blankets.......... ..25 to 50c Lace Curtains..... ... 20 to 25c Ladies’ shirt waist. ... 15 to 25c Skirts....’....... ..22 to 35c Sincerity is Not Enough. Here is a man who is sowing what appears to be black ashes. A friend accosts him, saying: “What have you got in your bag?” He learns that it is the hulls of buckwheat— the chaff of old wheat; and he says: “What are you sowing chaff for?’' “Why,” the man replies, “I have the impression that if a man is only faithful and sincere, it makes no difference what he sows. 1 1 Does it not make a difference? Suppose a man should sow couch grass thinking he was going to get timothy hay; would he? Suppose a man should set out crab-apple-trees ln hls orc:hard - and think he was , going to get fan pippins; would he? Suppose a man should sow that most detestable of all detestable seeds, the Canadian thistle, and say it was wheat; would any amount of botani cal sincerity on the part of this fool secure to him a harvest of anything better than the seed sown? if he sowed chaff, he would not even reap chaff. If he spwed weeds, he would reap weeds. “For what a man sows” in natural husbandry, “that shall he reap." — Henry W?rd Beecher.