The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-02-16
SYNOPSIS OF
A Glowing Sermon,
DELIVERED BY REV. THos. GILBERT.
eOF THE BAPTIST CHURCH

n NT1O"1nS q sermon .
DELIvERED BY REV. .THos. GILBERT,
tOF THE BAPTIST cHURCH
At NEWPORT.
To the Editor OF the Aforristown Gazette:
On Sunday last the Baptists OF
this community commenced a revi-,
val of religion under the auspices Of
Rev. Thos. Gilbert and JosepI Man
ming, in the Pisgah Presbyterian
church at this place. Having un-
derstood that the Rev. Thos. Gilbert
was to preach the opening sermon.
and that he had attained some cele
brity as an earnest and successful
revivalist. attended to hear the SER
mon, and to take notes ofJwhat he
should say. Sunday last dawned n
most beautiful day. and the church
was crowded to Overriowing by an
intelligent and appreciative au-
dience. Glaneing my eye over the
assembly, [ wondered as I turned to
scan the quaint figure and not very
prepossessing face of the minister
if it were possible that one whose
exterior gave so little indication OF
ability would be able to instruct and
please SO large an audience: while
thus contrasting the perSOheL of the
minister, with the character of his
congregation, he arose, and in a
clear and distinct voice announced
his text. as follows:
This is a faithful saying, and
worthy of all acceptation. that Christ
Jesus came into the world to save
sinners. of whom am the chief
Paurs Epistle to Timothy, l chap.
15 vef.
Stating that since he had selected
for the subject of his remarks this
passage from the writings of the
great Apostle to the GentiIes, it
would not be amiss to recall the fact.
that this same Saul of Tarsus, who
had ''breathed out the threatenings
and slaughter" against the disciples
of Jesus, was preacher IN the jew
ish church and at the time of his
on his way from Jerusalem to Da-
mascus to carry his threats into ex-
ecution-this same Paul before
whom Felix trembled; this Paul
whose persuasive eloQuence wrung
from King Agrippa the acknowledge
ment that he was almost persuaded
to become a Christian, had been, pri-
or to his conversion, the fercest
among all the haters Of the meek
and lowly Jesus, and here is the adj
mission made by him in the text,
affording the highest legal aud NOR
al evidence Of Che fact itself.
/ By this happy illustration of the
POWER of God, the speaker gained
! the attention he aimed at. and which
Z must confess l did not dream he
could so easily secure. With this OBJ
ject gained, by this happy illustra-
tion of the power of God in the con-
version of Paul, - lIe next stated
that the burdens. of his -remarks--
the keynote of his sermon-would
be to show that the great object OF
Christ,s advent into the world was
to carry out. and illustrate, the lOUe
of God towards q fallen world.
Stepping back as it were, beautiful.
ly did he discourse upon the typical
nature Of the ancient Jewish sacri-
fees. The sacrifice of the lamb in
the days OF Abraham symbolized
the coming of the Messiah. and fore
shadowed tlIe plan of human red emp.
tion. Nor was Christ's advent fore
shadowed only by the ancient sacri-
| fees, said he. but it. was likewise
! foretold by the prophets of o!d-re-
ferring 60 SD chap. of Isaiah; and
if any of your readers win take tire
trouble of the writer and turn to the
9TH verse Of sthis chapter, referred to
/ by the speaker, they will find this
remarkable prOphesy: r'But he was
wounded for our transgressions ; he
was bruised for our iniquities: the
chastisement of our peace was upon
him: and with his stripes are we
healed.T Then, in a most feeling
manner, did the speaker -allNde to
the fuIlillment of the prophesies con-
corning the coming Of Christ.
After the advent of Christ into
| the world, he next discussed Christi 8
mission. He showed its adaptable
ity TO all men, Not only could that
mission be understood by minds
versed in all the mysteries OF human
science, but it could be grasped and
comprehended by the unlettered
boor, who while unable. perhaps, to
explain ''in words that burn, and
thoughts that breathe" could never.
theless as eloquently disclose his
faith by the tear-drops that come
glistening TO his eyes, as meekly
he bows at the foot of the, cross.
Referring TO the sacrifices, sutler-
ings, death and resurrection Oi
Christ. he eloquently portrayed the
divine drama Christ1s birth was