New-York tribune., 1874-05-04
JACOBS wREsTLING-A VICTORY.

n, R.r NJ M,oLu1rf a, g. LukSs Msof Rp.0pal CAweh.
The Rev. j. NJ. McClelland preached yesterday
morning In st. Luke's Methodist Episcopal Church in
West Forty near sxthave., taking for his ters
the following words: THY name shall be called no more
Jacob Israel for prince hast thou power OF God
and with men, and hast preyailel"-Genesis xxxi' a
The Bible, said he, Is the most candid book ever
written IL Ia never anxious TO put the best side Tor
ward or the side IN the background and II shows
the sins OF men Gods own heart IL shows us men
as they were and is mirror OF the things that resJ
occurred In the story Of Jacob and Esau we must
think and believe that Jacob crafty politician
and that he acted In very mean manner ny obtaining
Esaus brthright for mess OF pottage lie afterware
deceived his old blind father and received the blessins
and rnod and we are compelled 10 admire hun We
wonder why God permitted Jacob TO act IN SO many
frauds. But there was great nation 70 De est'psnou
Esau was unsettled and Jacob wa. more lifted because
Of his patience and foresight God selected jacob AZ lie
selects all His agents for the best PufPOsrs
Twenty years had passed away since Jico.,
committed his first transgrosson, years OF
With tie MAXIM, Honesty is the best policy" HIS
whole life far has been one OF frhud ahl M cumihg
gained MIN wives, children, ana fches anu H'T nv W.
gathers all together aud sets out for his Own anl but
ON the way he remembers his crime against hi@ brotef
and becoming frightened sends presents 10 E'au wno
be hears is approaching him WIN 400 men AT nls oAon
He f. willing to give up everything, but ne cannon part
from his family Then remembers his vision OF tho
ladder and he praysto Cod Ana now comes tno s,1y
death grip. He feels he has got his arms entwined
around who can help hm, and he VII nor iet
no more Jacob in nature; he II Israel Ihis Il
the best Illustration we have OF the reai doctrine OF
prayer and shows that IL 90 10 God ana pray IN
earnest wrestie with him, our prayers VIII De answered
at some time or other. In the wrestling Win Jrpo
there appears to be unwlngness on the part OF tho
angel TO grant him ust the thing he had come 70 40
The wrestling 10 test JACOBS aith ana as ne was
determined and persistent ne receive VIVA nc required
and 80 get answer by being determined aud ~
wrestling with God our citizens prayed for that great
railroad which crosses country, but GOi did
not wish to give to without wrestle lie seengy
apt hack the enerprse as much he could, but when
man was deternined, aud went TO work, tunnelng ths
mountains and filling the valleys, he then assisted
them and now 10 Is complete and everybody feels
tnankfuI God had that road mapped out ia the begin
ming ready for man. the latter should Try 70 MAKE
it PRAYER ia sometimes unanswered because God
knows that such as ask Is not good Tor Us. IL II
absurd for man whose barns are full OF corn 10 ask
God 10 feed the poor around about nim The nrst lesson
10 be learned subject is that Gods answers 10
or prayers involve methods and consequences At
utter variance with expectations and the second ~.
that our prayers only answered when We put our
Whole soul ana strength into the words.