St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1868-01-10
Stormy S0bbafhs.
BY REV. TIIEO. l.. CUYLER.

The season for stormy Sabbaths
coming on, and, as in all past winters
the patience Of pastors will be sorely trie
We shall make ready the ''beaten oil
for the sanctuary, and 90 ourselves thrc
the pouring rain or driving snow; bu
the mass Of our people will not be ther
to ''iill their vessels from the oil Jar
We shall prepare a practical discorrs
with especial reference to Mr.. A.
but ne will be at home, ''toasting hi
shins" by the fire. We shall have ;
sweet, comforting discourse for Mrs. b
IN her bereavement but, alas the rail-
would damage Mrs. BIS new crap,
veil, and so she saves her veil and lose
her sermon. Perhaps, as Mr.. c. ha
often told us of is difficulties about tn,
inspiration of the Scriptures, we may
preach the very discourse which we ha,t
carefully prepared to meet his ditficuItie.
on some stormy Sunday; while Mr.. c.
Is sitting IN the chimney corner, reading
ms independent. And So it will come
about that large number of truths,
which are desig-ed for particular indi-
vldua,S, will miss their mark-to the
disappointment of the preacher, and to
the sore spiritual loss of the willful ab-
sentce.
Since 1t is practically impossible to get
our congregations all out TO their own
churches Oh stormy Sabbaths, | have
often felt inclined TO make this sugges-
ton - Let ereIy one go to tie nearest
ctWcA For example, let all who live
around Stuyvesant Square 90 in and hear
DIR. 1yn". And let those of DIR. T-'s
congregation who live near DR.. Adams
church, or DIR. Thompson's Tabernacle,
worship with their brethren OF those
churches. 1t will do the Baptist or the
MsthoiiSt on Stuvvesant Square a solid
good to hear the eloquent Tying and it
will do his Episcopalians equal good to
worship occasionally with their Presbv-
Ier!an or Congregational neighbors. even
II they use no venerable liturgy. Three
benefits would arise from this arrange
mcnt. lst Every pastor would have a
large audience, even ON the dreareSt davs
ID. People would have an opportunity
10 hear other preachers beside their own.
Sd. The edge OF sectarian prejudice
would he taken off, and a spirit of Chris
tlan harmony would he engendered
among different denominations. For
there Is many man who would lose his
narrow prejudice or secret hostility to
another denomination the moment he
began to worship God in their company.
and hear tie blessed Gospel from the lips
ol ih-lr minister. We recommend this
suggestion tor Il practical trial Oh the
Hr>t stormy Sabbath 1t would save orr
churches from the disgrace that now be-
longs TO them whenever the weather in
ter!ercS with their comfort or the luster
OF their SIn..ay silks and satin..
Attcr twenty years of pastoral expe-
rienct, | have come to divide ali church
members into two ciasses-fair weather
Christians and storm proof Christians.
This division holds good through all the
routine OF religious life. The first class
l. composed OF those who rarely practice
any self denial for Christ They not
only dread 4 storm of rain or snow. but
i Storm nj reproach Cor un-popularitv.
lhrv are capital soldiers on parale days.
but are not worth a rush before a can
mons mouth. They are loud in procession
before n battle and loud in exultation
after victory. but during the fight thev
are always m>,'ng. Demas is the rep
re>entatIve apostle Of tins class. rs Paul
l. the representative of the storm proof
disciples Fair weather Christians are
OF no possible use, except TO shame better
men into better conduct.
Commend me the Christian who. when
the Sabbath bell rings, consults his con-
science rather than his barometer. Com
mend me To the follower of Jesus who
chooses death or defeat rather than des-
ertIOn. Commend me to him who. when
duty sounds her trampet, is always ready
10 answer, Lord what wilt thou have
me to do - lie Is Christ's minute-man.
When ut last the messenger of death
shall call the roll, this man shall calmly
and promptly answer Ht7e ! And, after
ne has gone TO his heavenly reward, his
name, like that of the gallant young
Huguenot captain, shall be kept on the
roll OF the regiment, and whenever it is
called some comrade in the faith shall
step forth and respond, "Died on the bat
tie .febi :" In these days of self indul-
gsnce, may God send us more religion
that is storm proof .'-Imtependent