Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-05-26
The Opening Sermon by Rev.
w. O. HuliiEien before the Epis-
c0pal Council in Alexandria.

(From the Alexandria "Gazette'')
Rev. Mr.. Hullihen, of Staunton, deliyer-
ed a sermon On the I'd chapter of Gala
tians, Goth verse: s'The Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me-" The
speaker preferred some one else to be in
his position, but would invite the attention
of the audience to q few thoughts before
the communion. The main thought Of the
discourse was that God has special love
for each individual soul, thought that
mankind is 10th to receive, arising from
wrong ideas concerning the nature of God,
for man conceives of God as moved by like
considerations as we are, but he is not
moved by extent or material bulk, for
God cares for the infinitely small as well as
for the infinitely great, for he created all
things, since there is no chance. The pat
tern of all things has ever been in the
Divine mind, and He las perfect knowledge
of the whole series of beings, and of each
| being, and love for each. The incarna-
ton then was for individuals, and when on
earth the Incarnate God did good to in
dividuals. This truth he taught by the
|
score or more that claimed his love, but
only one sheep. So then the atonement,
if applied, must be applied to individuals,
nay, the heart Of the Gospel is Gods per-
sOnal love, but this love has ever been eX-
istent, thought especially operative in
Christ Then each one can look up to our
mighty Saviour and say, "ly Lord and
my God" ''Myn God represents a neces-
sity of nature. There can be no half Civ
ing of Gods love, for He is incapable OF
imperfect, incomplete action. This was
the truth which animated st. Paula per-
sonal complete loye of God to him. Further,
this love taxes the things of God and shows
them to the sinners heart. The soul should
| then strive to know the drptb of God S
love, and thus gain an insight into every
word and act Of our Lord; for everything
then becomes personal and is taken to tie
individual heart. He can say that it WAS
for his salvation that lie came down from
Heaven. Look at the Lords love as eX-
hibited by His conversation witt the Wq-
man at the well-With single individual
whom He wished to save. His life has I'M
speakable interest by regarding it as spent
for each single soul. This is not a seuti-
ment but a fact, matter Of soberness,
else we would deny God His attributes.
Men forget that the lamb was slain from
the foundation of the world, and that it
| WIS ULIOuS1 Hill UIldU dll OIlluS0 WCi T.
created, and that He, therefore, knows
each individual man and SO knows His
sheep. Looking at the acts Of our Lord
as done for each one they possess a fresher
and deeper interest. Yea, the words cit
is Finished" came home to the heart. We
must conclude that He must have died to
save one soul, and that He would have
done it. This love Of Christ is also con-
tinued as He sits on the right hand Of
God making intercession. The life Of the
believer is now lid with God in Christ,
and He is ever receiving grace and strength
and faith. To discharge His duties
as High Priest He must have deal
ings with the Individual soul. And to do
this further, He established His Sacrament
Or the Lords Supper, and set His seal to
it, How could He better show that He
gave Himself for each individual believer?
In tins Sacrament His Body is given
to each. But we must not think the
text exhausted by the forgiveness or the
high priesthood of Christ, but that love
flows on forever. Nay, His followers shall
be with Him, and go on and On in attain
ments, and in knowledge Of God and our
Saviour, and vet be infinitely far from
sounding the depth of God IS PROJECTIONS
We are taught that the life of the Son of
God will be the great theme throughout
the ages, and will awaken our love and
gratitude. The thought that God loved
each individual soul will he constant
theme for joy and exultation.