Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 9, 1990 TAG: 9006080548
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By GEORGE W. CORNELL
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
He had the packed sanctuary of his longtime pastorate, the historic Marble Collegiate Church, rolling Peale with intermittent gales of laughter, applause and concentrated listening.
"You believe in yourself," he exhorted. "Believe in God and believe in Jesus and follow him, and I say to you, you can do anything."
That was the core of his message, laced with Scripture passages and illustrative anecdotes, and it has been the nub of his long career, brimming with confidence and zest for life.
"The Power of Postive Thinking," he titled his immensely successful 1952 book, still reprinted and internationally circulated, followed by 17 others, mostly stressing self-assurance and faith as keys to accomplishment.
The theme runs through many of the titles, such as "The Tough-minded Optimist," "Enthusiasm Makes the Difference" and "You Can if You Think You Can."
Besides spreading encouragement in his books, he's done it on the lecture circuit, in broadcasts, in a syndicated newspaper column, "Confident Living" and in a pioneering center he founded linking psychiatry and religion.
"It probably had the most extensive influence in bringing the two fields together," said the Rev. Arthur Caliandro, now Marble Collegiate's regular pastor. "The whole area has now opened up much more."
The center, the Institute of Religion and Health, started in 1937, still functions with staff psychiatrists at the church. Peale and his wife, Ruth, also edit an inspirational monthly, Guideposts, with 4 million circulation.
It had been two years since he had preached at Marble Collegiate, which he led for 52 years until 1984. But he was back at that old stand once again on Sunday, May 20, prior to his 92nd birthday May 3l.
Of his first sermon there in 1932, he said, "I was scared." He paused, grinning. "And I'm scared today." But his voice was about as strong as ever, his gestures sure, his down-home, Midwestern charm flashing.
When first called as pastor of the church, he said it had been "without a minister for three years." Another pause. "They called me because I was better than nothing."
Laughter at that and other points sprinkled the hour. Caliandro once described Peale as a "loving, laughing shepherd" who "made it fun to be in church."
Peale, eying his wife in a pew, said that when he met and married her in 1930, "She was acknowledged to be the prettiest girl in Syracuse University and she's prettier now." To the applauding congregation, he added:
"She still . . . " He paused. "How shall I say it? She's still the most beautiful woman in New York State." More applause. Gallantly, he amended, "With the exception of all the women present." Laughter.
"I got out of that pretty good didn't I?" he said. More laughter.
That's how it went throughout Peale's 45-minute sermon, threaded with cheer and thoughtfulness, his recollections, homey sentiments, stories and his masterfully timed phrasing still in sync.
Easy and folksy as ever, the Ohio-born Peale told a string of hilarious, sometimes lesson-pointing tales. Among the hymns that Sunday was Peale's favorite, "Be Still My Soul."
Preaching on Psalm 34 about a man who sought the Lord and was delivered from all his fears and troubles, Peale said God stands ready to "deliver you from all fears. Not some of them, all of them."
Peale seasonsed his sermon with quips and personal tales, one about a "personality development rally" in Columbus, Ohio, involving a highly successful businessman who had risen from poverty.
by CNB