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Hw Everest

H.W. Everest

3 Sermons

Harvey William Everest (May 10, 1831 – May 21, 1900) was an American preacher and educator whose calling from God within the Disciples of Christ blended fervent gospel proclamation with academic leadership across the late 19th century. Born in North Hudson, Essex County, New York, to William Bull Everest, a farmer, and Lydia Smith, he grew up on a farm with New England roots tracing back to colonial days. Educated initially through New York’s common schools and a term at Crown Point Academy, he taught school at 16 before attending Geauga Seminary, Hiram College, and Oberlin College, graduating from the latter in 1861 with a classical degree, later earning an A.M. in 1864 and an LL.D. Everest’s calling from God emerged early, leading him to preach while teaching natural science at Hiram College (1861–1869), where he succeeded James A. Garfield. Ordained in the Disciples of Christ, he pastored churches in Springfield, Illinois, and Normal, Illinois, delivering sermons that emphasized Christian evidence and spiritual vitality, later shaping his presidency of Eureka College (1869–1872, 1875–1881) and Butler University (1881–1886). As Chancellor of Garfield University in Wichita, Kansas (1886–1889), he preached to students and faculty, fostering a robust Christian education until its closure. His book The Divine Demonstration (1884) and numerous articles amplified his message of faith’s intellectual grounding. Married twice—first to Sarah Ann Harrison in 1857, with three children (Jean, Claude, Herbert), until her death in 1892, then to Mary Virginia "Jennie" Pickrell Rogers in 1895—he passed away at age 69 in Des Moines, Iowa, while serving as Dean of the Bible Department at Drake University.

Sermons
Bio

Unconscious Enemies of Christianity

MAT 7:21JHN 14:6ROM 12:21CO 1:10GAL 5:13EPH 4:32TI 2:15JAS 1:221PE 3:151JN 4:1

H.W. Everest preaches about the challenges Christianity faces from false religions, superstitions, idolatry, and the limitations of science, emphasizing the need for a clear choice between Christianity and nothing. He highlights the slow progress of science in addressing immortal souls and the uncertainties it presents. Everest discusses the intellectual and moral battle Christianity faces against worldly intelligence and skill, urging for a clear presentation of the faith to silence objections. He also addresses the unconscious enemies within the church, such as misrepresentations of Christianity, unreasonable doctrines, denominationalism, and flawed views on conversion, hindering the propagation of true Christianity.

God's Purpose in the Ages

1CO 2:10

H.W. Everest preaches about God's eternal purpose in the ages, emphasizing the mystery of His will revealed in Christ, the unification of all things in Him, and the consummation of this purpose. Despite human limitations in understanding God's infinite plan, revelation discloses His will and divine nature. The sermon explores manifestations of God's purpose in nature, human history, and the evolution of Christianity, highlighting the progress towards moral perfection and the triumph of Christ's kingdom. It concludes with the hope for the future consummation of God's purpose, the role of the church in fulfilling this purpose, and the need for reconsecration to Christ's service.

Christ of the First Century

DAN 2:44MAT 16:18ACT 2:11CO 3:11EPH 4:42TI 3:16REV 12:11

H.W. Everest preaches about the kingdom of heaven as a great fact embodied in the church of Christ, emphasizing its miraculous conception and realization. He delves into the first century of the Church of Christ, highlighting its inauguration, confirmation, heroic age, and miraculous guidance by the Holy Spirit. Everest stresses the importance of the first century church as a finality, the only source of authority in religious matters, and the need to adhere to the inspired record left by the Apostles. He calls for a return to the characteristics of the Apostolic church, focusing on its simplicity, obedience, freedom, unity, missionary spirit, endurance through suffering, and triumphant spread of the Gospel.