New-York tribune., 1874-03-09
THE FOINTAIN OF LIFE.

77 p s>pAea H. rno jr d. d. at 81. Luk(s Hospital Capd
Whoever breaches Jesus should preach as
Jesus did whoever breaches Jesus should do so with
clear conception OF who Jesus is were the Introductory
remarks Of the Rev. stephen H. Tying, Jr d. d.. at St.
Luke's Hospital yesterday afternoon. His text was
taken from the 17tn verse OF Revelations xii. And
the spirit and the bride say and let him that hear
eth say como and let him that is dtbirst come aud
whosoever will let him take the water OF life freely"
The Savior is represented in the text spring Let
bin that is athrst In Him IS funess, relief ie
is fountain that is inc xhausble Were it possible tor
all the children Of men to wash themselves winter than
snow in the fountain offered for their salvation. the
supply would be diminished for the source OF the
cleansing water IL infinite II is fountain for
rich and poor for the learned and the nliterate.
under the figure of a living spring. but throughout the
Old Testament passages indicative OF the thought
portions Of the New Testament also Is Christ depicted
source OF salvation, impartlng TO those who ao-
cept Of Him strength, refreshment, JOY. Christ
as the means of qnenchng tho thirst Of
suffering from eternal drouth. When the season
Of spring returns there is no Spring; when Summer
arid so the soul, without the refreshing waters
Of Jesus's grace becomes parched and desoate. Ths
spring OF salvation not only flows in prosperity aud
peace aud sunshine, but in the winter OF life Its
LYING sprng Ten IN nature sSs ts ags no ICE
repressble life beneath will thrust forth and How
through cold and neat through sunshine and tempest
The Invitation is free one, "WhOsoever Will" We're
there to-day present. thousands instead OF tens the
Gyer OF this relreshment would lack supplies fos
ALL He who longs moreover, Is to come M once. nave
nothing 10 about external rites the mngng OF nahs
devices with Christs call. II is simply come TO Jesus
and be satisfied Christ is in all Christ is ALL As Arch
bishop Leighton once said. He who would preach any
sy sns Ts say BY Rs
man In the navy, who. coming 10 me, asEeo
whether l could explain TO him the meaning
OF redemption. 1 am told by one, he said. 10 be con
frmed; by another. to attend this service by another
TO attend that service. am bewdercd. As II he were
heathen. explained az simply as possible Christs
nature Chrst's mssion, Christ's invitation Now what
remains for YOU TO asked With tears In his eyes ne
replied, do not that there Is anything Sir. for me
to do but 10 trust, love- and be happy" That is ALL
Christ Is everything Outside OF HIM there Is nothing
And when the voice OF conscience tells man that he
In the wrong IL is because Christ waiting receive
him. The longing implanted In his heart for righteous
ness 10 the voice OF God pleading with bis
soul II 1t bo asked, docs this fountain OF
salvation suffice for all; none to young
are none 10 old to receive or It's watersf l reply,
No one is too young who has felt FOR sin, who
distinguish between right and wrong. Can any one
be too aged wnen nv venerable assistant present ana
myself standing do at the limit OF life. can testify
TO the refreshment IL still affords u.s. the strength WITH
which IL arms to battle against the OF
human existencef The testimony or the SICK anu tno
suffering In your midst, the evidence ot tuoSo
who have been stricken with trbuation s so shining as
to need cOrroborauye manifestation ms salvation,
this fountain OF life is presented without don. IL
repentance and faith be maintained, 4 VIII say
sTa' Snt integral parts or saVaton Holiness is not
a means but an evidence OF redemption.
who Is saved necessarily leads holy life. Bap:
tism is not a means: 1t follows as matter Of
course. AS well say II man fall from u ves
sci into the water and afterward finds that
his clothing has gradually become dry, that this
dryness ensued because he fell into the water.
The participation in the sacrament is not condition. it
Is blessed memorial service OF our Savior. Excuse
me IL my testimony seems simple. have reached that
epoch In my experience when have lost the wisdom Oh
man. human philosophers are laid beneath my feet
when external rites and ceremonies are as nothing.
when the spirit OF worship Is much. when Christ 70
all and IN all.