The New York herald., 1876-07-17
FIFTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.
THE BURNING BUsH-sEEMoN BY REV. DIR.
ARMITAGE.


ARaIITAGE.
Rev. Dr. Armitagc preached at the above church yes
tcrday from Exodus ill.,, 2-6, concerning the appear
ancc of God unto Moses in n flame of Ere out Of the
midst OF bush. He said:--rhere is no more inter-
esting study mans life and mans work than the
of education by which he fitted TO perform his
work. Every prophet and every priest had particu-
lar education for his particular work Moses required
eighty years education for forty years work. The
calling OF Moses after these eighty years OF study and
quiet from the midst OF the burning bush, shows how
God had prepared him thoroughly for the leadership OF
nation. Moses had been in Egypt forty years aud
forty years the desert He had attempted to irco
his people before, but he did attempt II in the
right way Moses then had He'd, and now God
comes again 10 him and makes the brambc
bush preach to him upon the Good tion of his people
In Egypt The mystical meaning OF the bush was
explained at some length He went on To say that
things had come TO such pass in Egypt that every
crocodile in the Nile had fed upon the children of Gods
chosen people. Tho Isracltcs required to un.
dcrgo all manner OF hardships They were forbidden
to worship any gods but those OF heather Egypt This
Is only ai instance OF tue hory ordeal through which
Gods Church was compelled TO pass anu II has been
so ia all ages. Since the Reformation 1000, 900
Protcs;ans testified their faith with their bood: and
what is more shameful, the Prctcsanis wrcakcd their
bloody vengeance upon Catholics after coming into
power. This bush ol the desert, II taken tor your
guide aud monitor, will lead US IL did Noses from tho
quiet shecpcotc to the scene of the Almghty's power
and realization OF HIS strength The bush had lrst
actcd as magnet upon Moses and he said
al will turn aside and why this is not consumed
One wonld nave supposed that with his elect and
understanding he would have known once that II
miracle aud have recognized the hand of God
Almighty. But he dii not His curiosity only was
aroused and after examination only he found the truth
And when God spoke to him IRON the bush, warning
him of the presence which he STOOL Moses began TO
unloosc his sandals, foc the ground holy. Ho
didn't realize at lrst that he holy ground and
that he stood In the presence OF The unulcrable God
who SAID. II am what | am.' But the very moment
that tho bush SPOKE and Moses learned whose pres
cncc he stood, he icll into the right spirit
After having described The character OF his obcdi-
the preacher continued:--lt is better much
better to obey Gods commands without questioning
your minds about His reasons. Two noticed, when "A
is seeking the salvation oil his soul, lac is fire.
qurnfy concerned about The question OF 'how SIN got
iuto The world y But never knew man IN this
diiion 20 ask the much greater question o chow We
arc going I, get out again Better be- moro con-
ccrncd gct sin OF the world Don't " SO ANXIOUS
to look into tn burning bush and what Nod is
doiug ia The ere or why He IS dong 1t as TO learn
that tho bush Is not consumed 1t was Wonderful
monitor: lhc IRE began To talk. "
The prying shepherd must keep at a respectful dis
tancc from tho mysteries OF the descended God. We
have limits ''Come not too near" Take on vour
dust-bcsmcared sandals. You may be bold enough TO
approach flaming bush but not the presence OF the
great Almighty When you are troubled let this bush
be to you monitor and guide. Listen TO tho voice OF
HIM speaking from the midst, aud whilc you may not
be, like Moses, leader and prophet be assured that
God loves YOU, that He is yoGr friend and that lie will
take care OF you even in the midst o. the lamcs.