A SERMON from THE ROYAL POINCIANA CHAPEL Palm Beach, Florida Thomas W. Kirkman DD _ Minister LANDMARKS Text: "Remove not the ancient landmarks which thy fathers have set." (Proverbs 22:28 King James Version) The commandment to preserve the ancient landmarks is found four times in the Old Testament. (Deut. 19:14, 27:17; Proverbs 22:28, 23:10) The Hebrews were commanded to remember the events that had shaped their history. They remembered the giving of the law to Moses, David's victory over the giant, Goliath, and Elijah's triumph over the priests of Baal. The Hebrews remembered where these events had occurred. In remembering their history, they understood their identity as a people. They were reminded of God's providence over their nation. With our restoration and expansion program, The Royal Poinciana Chapel has prepared itself for ministry in the coming new century. We also have landmarks which define our history and our identity. The person who most shaped this Chapel was Henry Morrison Flagler. For many of us whose roots are not in Florida, it is difficult to appreciate the towering stature of Mr. Flagler. One story (which my source affirms to be true) gives you some idea of the high esteem in which Flagler was held. Mr. Flagler was a friend of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. One day the three men were out riding in a car and got stuck in the sand. A farmer with his team of horses pulled the car out. Mr. Flagler introduced himself and his friends to the farmer. He said, "I'm Henry Flagler; this is Thomas Edison; and that is Henry Ford. Who are you?" The farmer looked at the three men in disbelief and replied, "I guess that in this crowd the only person left to be is Jesus Christ!" Flagler, who originally gave the money for the building of this Chapel, expressed his hope and ambition for the Chapel. He saw the Chapel as a unique expression of the Christian faith. I believe that four of Flagler's principles should help us to set our course for the coming century. I. THE CHAPEL SHOULD BE NONDENOMINATIONAL. First, Mr. Flagler believed that the Chapel should always be nondenominational. He did not want the Chapel to be the captive of any religious organization. This may be a reflection of his independent spirit, but the wave of the future has proved his good judgment. Today all of the major denominations are in decline, and the independent churches are, in the main, growing. Some years ago, a reporter from The Atlanta Constitution called to get some information about the Chapel. He asked, "What denomination is the Chapel?" "None," I replied. "Don't you have a bishop or superintendent to whom you report?" "No, we cut the middle men out and report directly to God," I said. I am sure that Henry Flagler wanted it that way. We do not answer to any ecclesiastical bureaucracy. II. THE CHAPEL SHOULD BE IN INTERDENOMINATIONAL. Although Mr. Flagler did not use the word, he also wanted the Chapel to be interdenominational. He wanted the Christians who came to Palm Beach for the winter to worship together and experience the unity of the Christian faith. Several years ago, the Chapel made a survey of the number of different denominations which were represented in our congregation. It may surprise you to know that at least twenty-one different denominational affiliations were represented in our congregation. In my judgment, this is as it should be. The first allegiance of every Christian is to Jesus Christ. It is reported that John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, had a dream that he had just entered heaven. He asked his guide to take him to where the Methodists were. The guide said, "We have no Methodists here. We have only those who have washed themselves in the blood of the Lamb, and of them we have a great multitude that no man can number from every kindred, tongue, and race." God does not see us as members of a denomination; he sees us as believers in Jesus Christ. III. THE CHAPEL SHOULD HAVE THE FREEST PULPIT. Third, Mr. Flagler insisted that the Chapel should have the freest pulpit in the world. He did not want the pastor of the Chapel to be bound by the prejudices of a congregation. The minister should preach his conscience. Another story about Mr. Flagler and the Chapel concerns Dr. George Morgan Ward, who was pastor of the Chapel in the days of Flagler. Dr. Ward preached a sermon which was considered controversial. After the service, two men were walking out of the Chapel together. One said to the other, "If that preacher continues to preach like that, he won't last long in Palm Beach!" The other man took a different point of view. He said, "I disagree. Dr. Ward has a great many friends in town, and I am one of them. My name is Henry Flagler." For the record, Dr. Ward served as the pastor of the Chapel for thirty years! IV. THE CHAPEL SHOULD BE DEBT FREE. Finally, Henry Flagler believed that the Chapel should be debt free. As a successful business man, he understood the need to operate without debt. In the early days the Chapel was open for worship only three months of the year. The year round expenses of the Chapel had to be supported by those who were here only for the winter. With the advent of air conditioning, the Chapel was open for a longer period. It has been only a little over a decade that the Chapel has been open year round. The Chapel had no difficulty in being debt free in Flagler's day. For a time, Mr. Flagler owned the Chapel, and the church was largely supported by him. Even after his death, the Chapel's physical facilities were maintained by the Flagler system. I am happy to report that the Chapel is debt free. The improvements made in the interior of the Chapel four years ago were subscribed before the work began. The almost two million dollars needed to remanufacture the organ, restore the exterior of the Chapel, and build and furnish our new building has been subscribed. The total amount pledged will cover the cost of this work. I believe that the Chapel has been faithful to the standards Mr. Flagler set for us. I hope that the Chapel will always be free and independent -- never falling under the control of a denomination. I hope that the Chapel will always be open to all Christians. Our membership should reflect the diversity of the Christian faith. I support the view that the Chapel's pulpit should be free. I probably would not last long as your pastor if it were otherwise. The Chapel should always be supported by its members, and those who worship here should keep it free from debt. A picture of Henry Morrison Flagler hangs in the foyer of the new building. May his hopes for this Chapel guide its future. THOMAS W. KIRKMAN DD THE ROYAL POINCIANA CHAPEL PALM BEACH, FLORIDA MARCH 7, 1993