, 1873-11-17
DR.. JESSE B. THOMAS.


Sermon by tho Iecvorcnd Gentleman
Yesterday Forenoon = 1fosoInftoms
Adopted Accepting uuts 1kcstgnntion
us I'ustur OF tho Michigan AVonuc
baptist Church.
Tho false announcement In one OF tue ,oTonlng |
papers on Saturday, that Dr.. J. D. Ihomas. Of |
tho Michigan Avenue DaptiBt Church, would
prcach his rnrowcll DISCOURSE yesterday, had tho
effect to MD in drawing large audlonce at the
morning service at that church. DR.. Thomas
stated. before tho commencement OF hia dis
course, that Ills connection with tho church had
not yot terminated It Ia tr,io TINT his rosignn-
tion was tonderotl ut tho regular prayer-moeting
Of tic church on Friday evening last but notion
thereon postponed.
!: Tho following iB M abstract Of tho morning
DISCOURSE. Tho text was-John; 4th chuptor,
s4th worse: "Jesua saith unto thom, my meat
Ia to do tho will Of Him that sent me-" This ia
q comforting aaying,-it a1licB Christ to tho
wants OF mankind. The sourcos Of earthly
food arc constantly drying upand wasting away:
To whom did Jesus 60 for His constant mid and
strength through His numerous 'triala, which |
changes His. lonely aud. sorrowful nfo to q
peaceful and Joyful ono7 Certainly to no
earthly source. Tho disclosure Of such food
awakened tho interest Of tho disciples. 1t is in
tho Intelligent, willing service Of God that such
strength comos, and this it ia to do tho will Of
God. Lifo is in action it ia in the
blood, not stagnaut, but tho healthful,
active, flowing currons Tho soul has no, life
but what Is buHod On work.. just 80 is 1t with
the young servant Of Christ. entering into tia
kingdom. Flo wishes to know what to do. But
1t muns not he an nimless activity, but in SUBJ
sorvionco to will Not liko ship sailing rud-
dorleAs and without chart, but one destined
for o particular port. More than thus, merely to
work intelligontly Ia not enough. The motive
power of tho soul must be caught from sounding
tho depths Of Gods purpoaos acting with Him
then ia it roal work. jacobs long years. were
but few days in Lis labor for Raohol. When
Christian can say, Like David, "Lord am Thy
servant; Thou lust loosed my hatds," til On is
1s l labor Light and be can run WITH IT, willing a1a
dost of the forsbodings of mon is tic
thought that their work commenced, must be
left undouo. But tho happy follower Of Christ
cnn any, 'Lord, have tiniehed the work Thou y
God Sets his disciples to do no orring, aimless
existence. It accomplishcn it's end, though 10
who does 1t may not think so. As III woll-
directed army under tho leadership Of an OK
perionood General, soldier forgets his iaola-
ton, and, by tho enthusiasm Of TIE multitude,
becomes stronger himself; 30 in Christs army
tho Christian is not alone. Joaua says, "Ono
Rowoth, another roapoth," and all aro part Of ono
groat band doing tho same work. Not mans
work, but Gods work., is tho Christian doing.
But how can he know that he is enjoying auoh
merit t,-doing tho will OF God2 Tho Bible points
it out; 1t is tho cllart, md many nro tue way
marks thorain shown for Ills comfort. How re-.
splendent ita pages will DO at the last day, and
how will the Christian wonder at lis own indif-
ference to it before, Would pilot travorao the
eoas and novor look at hiB chart, or attempt to
learn Ills course Or destination Yet auch Ia tho
conduct OF many in their earthly march. AZ In
nature there aro said to be cortain chords that
respond to but only ono sound, so in man arc
thoro different chords QUO will respond to
nature, another to the touch OF Affection, nnoth-
or to his fellow-man, still another to God and 1t
is possible as 1t was with Paul, to hayo such MI
ccstatio. unuttorable bliss in response to tho
touch Of such q feeling, that the Christian fools
drawn up above tho oarth md itB TROUBLES
deprivationa, and aorrows, and thus is enabled,
in tho words Of the text, to have lila meat III do
Ing tho will of God. j..
At tho conclusion OF the aeryice tho Commit
toe who had been appolntoa Friday eyening to
tako action 90 tho resignation, presented tho
following resolutions ,n >...
wuEnEAs, Our beloved pastor, nr. Joseph B.; ;Thom-
torato Of thus church and
WHEREAS, We are sure that IN tsidng th!s atep ho
fold, and hence we dare not impodc or delay mud
WnEnRAs, Tbs circumstances da1nhnd public and
Resolved, That wo accept tho resignation Of our pas
tor, recognizing the ca made upon US to deny cur
eoves, III order TINT our great loss may becoms to
Tssoirsd That in titus accepting his resignation, we
tako this opportunity to publicly cypress our spr1soa:
tiau and pastor, and deep aorrow in being com:
polled to sunder tho unon Of tho heart and hand in
% e
dttlon pt the church in the sunat!tuaon Of good
{14 f11n r1AG