The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-13
THE OLD JOHN STREET CHURCH.
The switch Of Endor''-SermOn by the
Rev. Il. 8. Weed.

The "Nitch OF Endor''-sermon by tho
Rev. Il. 8. Weed.
This well.known and ancient place of worship was
pleasantly filed yesterday morning with a cOngre-
cation that manifested the greatest interest in the
subject treated upon by the pastor, Rev. L. 8.
Weed 1t hau been announced that the theme
for consideration would be the witch Of Endor,"
as narrated in the 1. Samuel xviii, where
Saul disguised himself and; putting on raiment,
'came to the woman by night.n To treat the SUBJ
Ject In the exhaustive manner required Mr.. Weed
decided to occupy both the morning and
evening services. the first touching what
practical things are taught by the interview, leav-
Ing the speculative character Of the theme for
last evenings consideration The pastor, In intro
ducing his text, referred to the land Of Palestine
and that section reaching from Mount Carmel ON
the east to the River Jordan the west. He
was especially interesting In this description,
winning the attention OF his hearers that con-
tinued until the benediction was pronounced.
SAID MI. Weed at this point, two OF the
MOST NOTABLE EVENTS
In history occurred, being one Of It's most glorious
There the sword oil the Lord had put 10 flight His
numerous enemies, AMI two hundred years there
alter all Israel, gathered together by SAUL was
defeated and the King killed. Saul was in trouble.
The Lord answered him not, neither by dream
God had abandoned him. He prayed for
help, and by night travelled to the cave
OIL the witch OF Endor, seven miles distant, and In
reaching IL was compelled to pass through the
camps OF the Philistines. We must consider what
his anxiety Of spirit when he took this jour-
ney and had eaten nothing. Saul was q mighty
man. Think OF him setting out at night for the end
he sought. When David subsequently looked upon
the lifeless king well might he have exclaimed,
A'How are the mighty fallenl" The practical mat
fers taught by the theme are, first, that circum-
stances can never fully control our hearts. There
are influences which direct u.s. but they are not
sovereign. After narrating some OF the worlds
greatest evil doers Mr.. Weed said that 1t was
utterly impossible Tor sinner to be happy man.
5he
EXCITEMENT AND BLANDIsHMENTs
Of society are in themselves much to make the path
of man pleasant; but retribution Is sure to come
il man does what Is wrong punishment will 1ol-
Ned Him. Then Saul's friends became less, his
army was broken and his own soul depraved. This
was the natural consequence OF his sins. Like
many since that time, pride, ambition, envy and
Jealousy have been their ruin. Saul's unhappiness
Is attributable to two things He had no real ex-
Cuse for his wckedness, aud his ruin was the result
Of his own wilful perversiOn. There was no cause
his endeavoring to obtain consolation in this wise
no more than there Ii cause for US to-day seeking
Tor help
PROM SPIRITUAL MEDIUMS
pf reputation. Instead of this had Saul applied
himself that night in petitioning God, 1t II almost
certain that He would not have turned rom him,
but given him that courage necessary in the
Weed deduced the lesson which the practical
views submitted suggested, and said that he who
peeks information from the wrong channels must
suffer; that our duties and responsibilities are
multiplied, as we have the Bible, the guide of our
lile, and to 1t we must look for instruction.