The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-26
PILGRIM BAPTIST CHURCH.

! SERMON BY REV. j. SPENCER KENNARD-THE
GARDENING RIVER.
| very sparse congregation assembled in the
Pilgrim Baptist church; put the few who came
had no reason to regret Drawing July sun, for
the sermon was good and the church delightfully."-
cool and comfortable. Mr.. Kennard chose his
text from Psalms, XVII, 4-"There is river, the
streams whereof shall make glad the city OF God,
the holy place OF the tabernacles OF the most
hi.h.n There has been some discussion, SAID Mr..
Kennard, as to the precise reference the psalmist
has in this beautiful poem It seems most likely
that 1t was composed In celebration OF that super
natural deliverance Goa Effected for Israel. 1t is
an anthem Of triumph, song OF gladness, and it
is vary remarkable song. 1t rises at tnaes
into submity, and at others sinks into the
sweetest cadence 1t thunders with power aud
whispers with tenderness, but the keynote al
ways Ia the same-tnes glorious Lord, Emanuel
God with mantle defender OF our liberties. At
one time lie is spoken OF as river OF gladness;
again as a warrior We VIII confne ourselves to
the first part-"There is river, the streams
whereof shall make glad the city OF Cod" If we
refer TO the geography OF the Holy CITY IL was
lifted up on lofty hills and had no broad river
flowing at its feet, no sea near il. One little
stream, the pool Sloan, whose waters go softly
on ,neir way was all 1t had 1t Is easy to compre-
bend in general what the still flowing river SYM
bolized for the Scriptures full OF reference to
1t. In Genesis we see it going out from Eden and
parting in four heads. Behold, water issued out
from under the house, moving eastward.n And
Christ said :-tIf any man thirst let him come unto
me ano drinks and at last the seer, In vision,
RIVER CLEAR AS CRYSTAL
flowing out from beneath the throne of God; and
Isaiah says ''The glorious God shall be unto us
place OF rivers and streamG.n 1t Is God Himself,
it ia the outnowlng Of His own Infinite fulness,
not ss some interpret H., that the river is the
eternal covenant OF God wlth the ordinances or
religion and the doctrines OF divine truth-these
are he channels simple. 1t Is through these
channels that Gods own love and grace flows and
finds its way to our hearts. The living water Is
beauty OF the symbol In the first place IL is a
beautiful prospect to look upon. Whichever way
believer looks with spiritual vision lie sees
some new feature OF the out1owing Of his Lord and
master. And, near by, flows the stream OF divine
promise. exceedingly rich and precious. These
and love OF God Is leading US; sometimes 1t nows
through dark and rocky gorges, put now mucn
Again, river Is an avenue TO trafic. 1t is
great advantage to build near river, hence the
our own river shores. II these streams were
dried up what changes would occur in those
cities! But the river that nows through the city
OF God Is Infinitely greater In its relative import
ance to our daily experience. This Is the only
means OF m @ ING tbo ts nensIy
! loving spirit of God Down this ST. cam come the
soul-insplring truths by Which our souls are in
! strueted. Again.
RIVER SPEAKS or FERTILITY.
| What lands show the green fields and rich
! orchards ID 1t not In the region of streams
| We are told that Lot chose The plain county
! because ii was well watered. Ia IL not true that
| our natures are barren like wild desert There
| may seem at times 10 spring up good thoughts
! aud ASPIRATIONS, but how quickly they wilmer. Is
! is not said OF him whose delight Is in the Lord
! that he shall be as the Tree planted by the river
! OF waters, whose .eaf shall not perish and whose
root shall not grow dry, and which
/ snail bring forth its fruit ia lis season. When
| Cod pours Ills refreshing stream through our
! hearts 1t brings forth It's fruit. Consider the
| abundance OF the supply. IL the water courses
| were cut of disease and death would
| follow. But we are assured In the
| Scriptures tnat the Lord 1s to US
as the place oil broad rivers and multitude OF
streams. my grace shall be sufficient unto YOU
Has not every soul realized that when he turns
| away with parched lips from earthly creations
and turns again to the Dountlfu giver OF spiritual
! refreshments tue soul has begun to revive :
! 1t Is a river Of cleansing. WheG we contemplate
| the corruption OF humanity we might well de-
gpair; but blessed be Cod the river OF purinca ton
is turned into the corrupt heart, aud 1t will yet
be quite sufficient TO cleanse away all the wicked
/ meas OF the world and make IL shine like ne W
garment
DECKED WITH JEWELS.
His Almighty self flows into mems souls and in
stead OF the noise OF thunder you have within you
the whispering OF the still small voice I'll which
God dwes. Sloan Is mightier than all for 1t
gladdens the city OF our Lord.