The New York herald., 1876-09-18
ELEVENTH STREET M. E. CHURCH.

FOWLER.
Yesterday morning the Eleventh Street Mcthod,s
Episcopal church in this city was rcopcncd The
steadily pouring rain kept many from the tabernacle
but the strength and c OF the congregation wero mani
tested before the .oxology sung After tho opon
ing services, and amid the low monotone OF tho
rain pattcrng on the roof and windows, DR.. c. H.
Fowler, the editor OF tho Chrisfidn Advocate, who
occupied the platform by invitation, spoke from thu
text-"And !, IL be lifted up from the earth VIII
draw all men unto mo."-St John, XIII, 81 II
presenting his ideas tho preacher said:-rhs sen
tcnce is vital and full OF truth, stating the plan Of
divine government ana Of human history.
We brought by 1t into the presence
OF tho cross. Then 1t stood on Calvary;
now it stands in our midst Then there was gathered
about 1t a fcw women Of Galilce and a jewish mob.
To-day has gathered about it the people OF the whole
earth In the crncixion Of Christ was seen but the
death OF a Jewish peasant in most ignomnious
form. The cross was madc offensive TO the people,
ana mon yet saying, as the multitude said then,
'Come down from tho and Will believe in
you.n But standing with outsprcad arms, ready 10
welcome ALL the cross is still The magnetic force that is
drawing all men unto it, 1t is easy TO how the at
ractve forces bring mems character up 10 righteous
ness; but is difficult 10 see how the elant forces
can 10 used for tho same effect To the hardened
sinner God speaks from amid the thunuers Of
Mount Sinai and 10 others lie cxplodcs shell OF
retributon under their icct in their ears awaken
cross, revealing 10 them the saving power OF Christ
God does not seek to drive souls TO Him, bu by tho
demonstration OF Hm power to attract them to Him.
There is power in the universe in he'll to compel
soul to act The body may be bound, but the spirit,
the SOUL cannot be bound and II is possible for tho
soul to deiy men. spirits and even God himself, strG
ing before His very throne and mocking ali the powers
OF the Almighty and you do 1t every time you sin.
He mustsrs 'n all His forces to crush anu %
and yet you keep here all tho time,
,.lt,-; lVn
He has made us SO spiritually strong. And VIC guess
about The great book does not tell and tho instant
go outside OF the book IL is all guesswork. We
guess that lie sat there alone upon HIS throne and
wanted something that would lsve and adore Him. and
with His son, be IN fellowship with Him SO He mado
man. Let HIM como to you. II lie ever comes INTO
your hearts 1t Is with the olive branch. You must
open the doors WIDE, give Him the key and receive
HIM as king or He will never come in. He will not
sneak In, with the the back door,
He must come in as a welcome guest or He will not
come IN at all
1t is u great thing to be man. That is why God
gave His likeness and treats His peers Is 1t
not shame that We, as men, will do anything that
sion nero; 1t rs one ST Goo Almghty's outpostA and
e is shouting out TO kings He is striving to
tract men, and the cross is His magnet II is His
power What is powcry 1t is not IN the monitors ana
magazines ana bayoncts and marching millions. Bay
ones are OF no iorce but hang like spades II they are
not graspcd by tho nervoDs fingers oi men lighting
for liberty The bit Of paper on which was
written. 'An men are born free and equal" had
power ITSELF II could have been blown Of the
window; but the idea marched on, startling kings
and making Tree. So with the doctrine OF Christ
The idea OF the cruci6ed Jewish peasant had power in
it, because IL saved souls. His magnet Is powerful
81, II be lifted up will draw all unto me-" To
souls We want the cross We want religion
with creed, that will steady steps toward its
altars, making us wiser aud better md bringing us
nearer to the great King The preacher closed with
urging his congregation to recognize in tho suffering
of Christ upon the token OF the love OF for
man, and to draw nearer to Him and be lifted up with
Christ.
The collection at tho close of tho service amounted
10 $5l9.