The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-04-02
confirmation services Mt Trinity
Church.
SERMON BY BISHOP BIssRLL.


Trinity church was filled to its utmost |
capacity last evening on the occasion OF
confirmation services by the Right Rever-
end Bishop of the Diocese, W. II. A. Bis
SELL The regular evening services were
conducted by the rector, Rev. W. j. Har-
ris, D. D., assisted by the regular choir of
the church. The bishop preached extent
pore an able and appropriate sermon from
the text Father forgive them, for they
know not what they do" st. Luke, %
a. We give brief abstact of the
SERMON BY BISHOP BIssELL.
The text was recognized as the first of
the sayings of Christ upon the cross. All
these sayings were considered exceedingly
precious as the last words of Him who
died to save sinners; of Him who had con-
ferrcd upon man the greatest possible
blessings; of the High Priest of man
coming to us in the midst of the atone
ment. There was never such plain speak
ing TO mankind as these words upon the
cross. They were words of intercession
made Just after the nails had been driven,
and when the fresh torments of suffering
were coming over Him; when he was
hanging in anguish upon the tree, with
not thought for Himself, but thinking
entirely for others. This man so desolate,
given up into the hands of evil men, was
now concentrating his obedience to God.
He was not trying to comfort Himself nor
thinking of Himself, but praying for SIM
ncrs and appealing for forgiveness for his
enemies.
1t was an interesting inquiry, for whom
does he ask forgiveness ? First, for the
! Roman soldiers, who had Knocked and de-
rided Him and finally brought him to cruel
fixion. Also for those who brought about
the betrayal and conspired together to kill
Him the scribes, the chief priests and the
people who derided Him at the cross. lie
asked forgiveness for the real procurers of
sdcred in wider sense 1t was not only
for expiaton of the sins of the Roman sol
diery and the people but for all the world,
for all men and mans history. This was
why no subject was mentioned, when He
said, FEATHER forgive Mem,' that it might
embrace all the sins of mankind. All were
partalting of the benefits Of the cruciiXion
and the bearing of the cross.
Christ had also added "for they know moi
what they do He pleaded ignorance fol
those who sought to slay him. He hat
: stood in the way of their ambition, ant
had shamcd them by His purity of life
They must have known what they wei'
= doing. Although we have not sinncd il
the sense that those Jews sinned, there
= was still much of this deception which wa
practced upon the sons of men in thos
p days-snch as was praciced upon Ev'
when she was tempted. We do not stol
= to think of the cnormity Of our sins, bu
we think of the world and its pleasure
, or our evil passions lead us blindly on
We are not wholly guiltless, but we ar
taught the necessity of watchfulness am
of the wearing of the whole armor o
God.
3 Our first duty is to remember God an
His teachings. Yet while we pray, W
. counterfeit our prayer by rushing int
u temptation and not overcoming it as W
should. We must not lay the flatterin
JUNCTION to our souls that we are ignorant G
sin and therefore guiltless for the sins of ou
n life which are committed in open defianc
IS of God. Let lis here contemplate the gran
work of this intercession for us &; the SUI
J. ferings and the humility of Christ upon Il
u cross; with no robes, with hardly ga
N ment. but with the stamp of immaculat
/. innocence upon His face and crimsone
a with his own blood-thc Rose of Share
ie and the Lilies of the valley.
re The preacher then pointed to Christ {
he High, ever living to intcrcede for us-th
Is same intercession He began while yet
" tarricd here below. How great the pow
ar of that intercession No sorrowing so
rs could fail to receive the strong comfort
Oh affords. Surely will Christ receive tho
who come in penitence. Doubt it not.
and confess and ask Him to forgive yo
sins. Let all try to learn what it is we
nu when we sin of its character, It's pow
DC and its results. Let every one rcmemh
'd the example of Christ, forgiving his Ell
v mics and blessing them that hated him.
IL injustice be done us let us ask Him to ft
nc give those who have done us that wror
10 and as we pray we shall know the pea
co of the forgving soul, and may obtain pea
III with Him. Then should we be able to S
lis at the close of life, "Father, into T
u hands commit my spirit"
At the conclusion of the sermon TWEEN
six persons were brought forward by
's- rector for confirmation. After the serv
me had been performed the Bishop address
no the newly confirmed with worcs of col
cal nj nd J,,i,