The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1866-07-19
A Sermon in a Brook.

i SdJ upOtl tLlONo-OONCANo ANNhi
der the grateful shade of tree, on a
warm, sunny day A little streamlet,
at my feet, made delightful music, as
it went leaping frolicking along, now
pouring over the rock, now turning
sparply round it, flowing quietly over
its bright sand few yards, and then
became full of excitement, as sundry lit
tie cataracts walked up the music OF its
unceasing song.
In quiet, pensive mind, gave my
mind up to the pleasing contemplation
ofthose sparkling waters, and my ear
to the soothing music they made, as they
fastened on their way. So full of life
was the little rivulet, it seemed living
parsonage. 1t seemed as if it had living
words, and as if it said, stranger,
Christian, l would like to preach you a
little sermon. You seem disposed to
hear. So l will preach"
Christian, your life and mine are alike
in some repects, they ought to be in
more.
/. came out Of the hidden depths
Of the earth, which no human eye has
penetrated. Your Christian life sprung
out of the infinite depths of the divine
counsels. -
9. Small were we at the outset,
which is another point of resemblance.
My beginning, a few drops oozing from
rock, or little fountain mans hand
might cover Your Christian lite, at
first single penitential tear, vow, a
prayer, faith as a grain of mustard seed,
8. Growth, Christian stranger marks
my history. Gathering few drops
here, and few there, and welcoming
this little stream and that, | have become
what am, and gathering will 60, and
growth shall be my history as it has
been. Let growth, in life, be your
history. Welcome all the little streams
and rivulets and good influences by
which, through your own most earnest
efforts, with the grace of God, all Chris.
tan graces shall grow in beauty and
strength.
A. lpurify everything touch. How
clean that rock | have been washing or
my way down. How pure the sand and
pebbles over which flow. Be thou
Christian, purifying agent. All the
minds about you may become the purel
by your pure heart and life.
s. Unceasing activity, said the riv.
pet-preacher, marks my service OF my
Maker, | have not rested q moment
since started in life. Day and night,
through all seasons alike, Oh go. No
thing has stopped-nothing shall stop
me- So, Christian stranger, serve thy
God-never weary, always abounding,
fainting never.
g. Actively umfI am |, as we'll as
always active. Now slake the thirst
of man and beast, then | go down and
refresh and fertilizo that meadow, then
pitch over that water-wheel and SET
the mill going, and, with larger growth,
carry the products Of mans industry
to market. Ever busy be thou, Chris
tian but always in that way which will
advance life's great ends
Z. Nothing diverts me, said the
preacher, from the great purpose of my
life. If rock obstructs my path,
make my way around it, Ifa dam stops
me, wait awhile, knowing my aug
menting power TO leap over or break
down every opposing barrier. Chris
tian, let nothing stay you in carrying
out the great ends of your redemption
Persistent faith, and prayer, and zeal
will level every barrier,
8. One thing more, l 60 to fulG
great design Of my Maker--viz., tina
/ shall be a part of the boundless ocean
On l go, never losing sight of that grea
end, Restless, unsatisfed, unreposed
| cannot stay in my progress till I reaCl
the sea. SO, Christian, tho boundles
ocean of eternal joy is before you, and
by nothing short of reaching it, can yo,
meet the infinitely benevolent purpos
of God. Let nothing stay you-n
worldly gains, honors, pleasures--no
thing stay you in your progress towar,
the everlasting rest Of Heaven.
And the little preacher went his wa
and | mine: He to preach to any who's
attention he could catch, and to mus
and not forget what n sermon can b
preached by babbling brook.
SIMON.