National Republican., 1875-11-08
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH, NAVY YARD.
I'VE Must Watch and Pray."

A large congregation assembled yesterday
evening at this church. Before services prayer
meeting was held in the basement, and much in
terest seemed to be taken in the prayers and
songs.
The pastor, Rev. Mr. Ingersoll, spoke from
e.! Ezekiel x11iv:2s; "And WIN make them and
Will cause the shower TO come down in his season.
There shall be showers of blessing" The text,
precious promises made to the children Of Israel
all along down the lapse Of time while they were
speciallytunder Gods watchful care. In the thr-
speaks of feeding upon the mountains Of Israel
by the rivers, and upon the high mountains of
Israel shall their fold be, &C. Thus God often
speaks Of his people, "l have.set. my kingdom
upon my holy hill Of Zion"
We always think and speak OF Heaven as up
ward, and hell as downward
DOWNWARD TO RUIN.
God is always calling his people hisher and
delectable mountain. From down in the mire and
clay up to the rock Of ages. There is class Of
who reject the Gospel of the meek and lowIy
Jesus. Let the bat talk of Its elevation above the
eagle, or the glow-worm above the bright stars Of
the heavens. Oh, how utterly foolish, and hew
detestably wicked. The laws were given to Moses
On Sanai. The ark rested on old Ararat. The
fame. Rivers, valleys, the sol. the trees change.
governments, times and men change, bat the
immovable mountain-the
ROCK OF AGEs-NEvER CHANGES.
On the rock Of ages founded,
Naught can shake her sure repose,
With Salvation's arm surrounded,
She can smile at all her foes.
Brethren, are we sure we are safely on this
God will surely bless his Church, founded on
this rock. How beauteous are their feet who
stand on lions hill. He will bless the uncon-
full and not be stumbling blocks in their way.
What blessed day 1t will be when
GOD APPEARS IN PERSON
upon his hill, saying to his people, "Come up
hither and receive the showers Of blessing"
Then there is no sorrow or mourning, no more
aesolation. Then his people are made glad, and
around about the hill all are blessed. The bless
ing shall at the same time be seasonable. There
are times when there are greater blessings than
at others. Gods people must sometimes break
up the soil and get ready for the refreshing show
ers that will quicken the germ.
Sometimes in the Church we do not realIzs
these blessings; We lose our thankfulness. Then
God lets the fountains dry up unta we begin to
blessings. God does not feed
HIS CHICKENS ON CRUMBS.
Because We have not blessings as great as we
desire is because we are not worthy. We have
had during the past seasons plentiful showers Of
rain. Would to God 1t could be followed by spon-
taneous showers Of grace, and that we might be
ready to receive It. What have we to do with
Gods making this hill blessing? What is our
part?
WE MUST WORK AND PRAY.
We must break up the fallow ground and get It
ready for Gods seed. He can send down the
spiritual rain, he can shower down his choicest
blessings, and surely will If we only are prepared
The speaker entered with his characteristics
earnestness into the full sublimity and grandeur
Of the theme. The words Of the text and context,
beautiful OF themselves, seemed to grow and beau.
tify with the viyidness Of their portrayal. One
can form but little conception OF the powerful ap
peals Of this minister from mere synopsis Of his
eloquent sermon.