The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-02-12
Religious and Church Items.
LAST SUNDAYS SERVICE.

the Parable is unmistakeable. Our LORE
Himself has here unfolded it for us. The
Church visible has ever been, and shall even
be, mixed Society-cemposed of good and
bad Christians. But the LORD her Ruler
is patient-so let as be patient. Let none
despair because of the presence in her of
inconsistent members; let none leave the
Church on their account; nor let them fret
because they cannot drive them out. In
His own Day the righteous judge, the Eter-
nal Son of Cop, shall make that discrimi-
nation and final separation which are i'm
possible to us.
This general Interpretation of the Para
BILE is easy to make, and universally accepted
by Christian interpreters of Scripture.
1t is not, however, so easy, because not
SO agreeable, to make the personal applica-
ton of 1t which specially concerns us. But
this is nevertheless teaching clearly flow
ing out of the general meaning. AS then
the area of a field is made up of square
inches, so the LORDS Field in this world,
so the Church on EARTH is composed of
individuals, each with separate personal
responsibility, which renders it impossible
for US to take refuge in generalities.
And as field is not thoroughly produc-
tive, if any of it's component square inches
are overgrown with weeds, so the Church
vi poD 10 iiuil ny thS iiOuiS anu ioilHlCoo-
ness of her members.
We should seek then to make the closer
application of the Parable to ourselves
The heart is a field in which both good and
| bad seed are Sown. The seed of the Word
and the evil thoughts and imaginatons
prompted by the Devil, spring up and grow
together within US.
Our chief concern is, how to loot out
| these tares from our own breasts. Let US
not carry the analogy between the church.
field and the heart-tield too far. God only
can judge other men righteously. But we
can each one judge himself-and this He
tells us we must do if we would not be
! judged by Him to condemnation
Instead, then, of looking beyond our own
| horizon to impugn other mems motives,
or TO despond and worry over the errour
and worldliness which have crept into the
! Church, we have more than enough, ordi
narily, to occupy our care and fears in those
| thoughts of pride, Righteousness, covetous-
ness, unholiness. hatred, malice. anger and
such like, which possess our hearts and
!, choke the good seed. Let us by self knowl-
edge and Understanding, find out these
tares; and let us by true repentance and
| firm resolves, daily renewed by the earn
estly sought grace Of God the Spirit, do
| for ourselves the work which only the holy
angels can do for the Church, when at the
last Day, He bids those blessed Reapers
to gather out of His Kingdom all things
that offend, and them which do iniquity;
| and cast them into furnace of fire.
| So searching, so separating, so Judging
our own motives, we may be among the
righteous, who then shall shine forth as
! the sun in the Kingdom of their Father.
| Pres5yterian-morning sermo n.-Text,
Jer. $50: "The harvest is past, the Sum-
mer is ended, and we are not saved.''
| The ordinary means of grace, as they are
| administered from Sabbath to Sabbath are,
! special privileges of no mean value. But
! there are also special times of special priv-
| leges granted. Such was the advent of it
in the times of privilege in the former dis.
pensation, and such have been ever granted
the church in all the stages of her growth
and progress. Such was the reformation of
Luther. Such was the great revivals of
Whitfield aud Wesley. Such was the re-
| vival of 1857 and s. Such is the peculiar
religious awakening of 1875 and 6. 1t was
noticed first, That Jesus grants especial OPP
| portunitieS to men. He gives special harry
est seasons to the church. He multiplies
the means of grace. This Winter has been
such a season. The extra services have
increased. The usual channels of grace
have overlooked their banks. Humanity
speaking, the facilities for being saved have
greatly increased. The efforts and means
have been doubled. Jordan has overlooked
her banks. Religion has more than ever
been seen to be the common possession of
mankind. By common consent and desire
the services have increased in number
The way has been made plain. Preaching
has been pungent and practical. This wild
in this community under serious RESPONSE
bility. None can say now, 81 know not
the way" But second, These opportunities
are limited. They come to all ful tie last
tih.e-a last time has come to many, and
will come to many more. Your last time
may not differ from this 1t will come to
you. 1t may be upon morning as bright
as this 1t may be within the walls of this
beautiful house of prayer. You may be
facing this sacred desk as you are to day
He who looks into your faces to-day may
speak this message to You and you will
sit with your accustomed listlessneSs and
hear this word of life spoken for the last
time. You will see this old familiar Bible
open for the last time. You will hear its
terrible warnings and its tender promises
for the last time. You will see this book
close for the last time. You will cross the
threshold of this church and reject this
loving message for tile last time. You will
go out into the air and meet the same
friends as before, but the tragedy has been
enacted. You have thrust sword into
your special opportunities, and the matter
is ended for "My Spirit will not always
strive with man" l give you another in
vitaton to-day. l sound once more the
news of salvation "for the lost" There is
a fountain opened, and "whosoever will,'
may plunge in and be cleased. Your de
gree of detilement should not keep you
away. Your shame and disgrace makes
no difference. Your sin and filth will be
washed away, and you will be clothed with
the spotless robe which will present you
"faulLless " before the Excellent Glory"
Who will accept Who will come?
Whosoever cometh, need not delay,
Now the dooris open, enter while you may"
Ereaing sernaon-Proverbs 4: % and 81.
Duty and use Of steadfastaess was the sub
ject of the discourse.
l. What is steadfastnesS in our profes-
sion: LIST, opposed to wavering; 2nd, op
posed to spasmodic piety and ZEAL Cor.
10, last verse-Be Of Paul's persuasion.
III. What is its use: LIST, greatly helps
others Qight house; end, greatly helps us.
This subject was handled in an unusually
clear and forcible manner not soon to he
forgotten by those who heard it.
PORT DEPOSIT.
The following religious services reached
us too late last week for publications:
At st. James Episcopal Church, the Con
vocation services were opened on Tuesday
night by the Ri. Rev. Bishop Lay, assisted
by several of the clergy.
The subject taken up for discussion was
the three parallels contained in the 18th
chapter of ST. Luke, and was most beauti
fully compared by the Bishop to " three
pearls upon a single strand.'' Rev. Mr.
Walk, dean of the Convocation, was first
called on to speak of the "lost;' he was
followed by the Rev. Mr.. Skinner, who
spoke of the difference between the lost
sheep, the lost coin and the lost or prodi-
gal son, and the different means of search
employed in their CONTEMPLATING more
particularly on the love of the father which
followed his boy through all his wander
ings, likening it to the love of God for us
and the workings of the Holy Spirit in our