New-York tribune., 1876-09-04
CHRIST,S AID IN TROUBLE.
The Rev. Dr. Thomas ATmftdge, at the Etth Auenus Boz
Htirfh

The Rev. Thomas Armitage, ID. d., yester-
day occupied his pulpit in Fifth Avenue Baptist
Church for the first time since his return TO the city The
text was taken Matthew XIV. 2L34. and the ser
mon was intended illustrate the lessons to be drawn
from Peters attempt to walk upon the waves
The true test OF man, said Dr. Amitage, Ia his char
acter his profession, his prncpes as his
character will his actions be. Peters characteristic
trait boduess, which even rashness, and this
was his weakness for when good men repose false de-
pendence upon their strength and virtues, 1t IL
sign of weakness. The storm on the Galiean sea was
typical Of the storm continually threatening all Chris
tians. When Peter discovered that 1t was the Lord
walking upon the sea- he showed vanity; for, In
stead of asking the Savior to send John James or to
10 their assistance and take tlc helm, he SAID
Lord, II 1t be thou, bid come to thee" Christ IN
teach sad. Come" Peter, full Of faith, supposed he
also full OF strength and proceeded to go where he
false dependence leads good man into
trouble the eye Of faith mg5t ee fspt
Tue business troubles agating the world are, in
great due to this false dependence npon our
own strength and wisdom Spiritual troubles frequently
come from false ambition. There IL good Sunday
school teacher who - ambitious 70 become sup,Il pa
endent and fails He is not called to be superintendent
and like Peter, he begins 10 sink when he undertakes
something for which he is not htte and for which God
there another curious feature in the words in the
oHs he was afraid" Peter certainly knew that the
winds boIstcrous while he In the bont but ne
feel the fury 0f The wind and the rushing OF the waves
until he left the deck so when leave duty TO enter
upon our own ambitious designs We feel the bOis-
ferrous waves, and at that point begin 10 sink,
ceasing TO look upon the Lord Cnly looking at
the billowe around Peters latin BEGINNING TO Iai,
body began 10 sink; at the moment he left his faith
moment he impeAchcd the fidelity OF the Dor, aul
in that moment failure inevitable. When false dc
pendcnce leads good into such extremity "a TINS,
only God can bring him out When hls own strength
falls lie must look TO the Lord When Peter began 10
suk he prayed; very short prayer but n wonderful
one-' Lord save me-" The very first word cOnfesses
Christ aud calls upon His name. Then comes the rushing
sense necessity, "save." Then the personality, "me
lie was the person who stood I'm need at TINT moment
not John, James, vino In the boat, but Peter.
When VIC cry the depths of our souls, very few
earnest Saxon words tell God all that we want Had
Peter PRAYED theological discourse to God at THIS time,
frequently the with ministers and Ia the
prnycr-mectnss he would been forty athoms deep
before the Lord could hive reached him.
PRAYER ami futh, even their weakest FORM always
lead us up to Christ When man puts himself In
questionable position, tacn the Savior ocs not de
him. Peter cred Lord, save me-" Christ did not
tell him 10 be Of good cheer and encourage him. but I'M
mcdiately the Lord stretched forth HIS nand Ho felt tie
sympathy between Higsef and tue siukns Peter, aud
took hold Of hm. IL you on false strength and
leads you INTO trouble look Ia Christ and icneinber
that when you get down INTO the trough of the sea-
IL is then Gods opportunity Peters snkinC brought
humiliation to himself but glory 10 his Lord, and bOud
ihe disciple his Master. II We trust Him VIC snail
reign with Him.