The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-03-25
Religious and Church Items.
LAST SUNDAYS sERF VICES.
u. E. CIII RCH.


In spite of the inclemency of the weather,
quite number of persons came out to hear
the Rev Geo Barton, the blind preacher,
some thirty years ago pastor of this church.
Mr. Barton lost his sight about twenty five
years ago, since which time he has not been
on the roll of active workers of the Confer
ence. He has. however, preached nearly
every Sunday during that time. He has
the Scriptures by heart, and needs no eyes
to read the hymn book, as he seems to be
able to recite every hymn in 1t from men,
DRY. He preached from Acts /: >: d" For
John truly baytzed with water, but ye
shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not
many days hence
There are the words of Jesus Himself,
and among the last spoken by Him to His
disciples. They are important, being spoken
at the time He delivered to them His last
injunction, commanding them to ''remain
at Jerusalem until the promise of the Father
was received" We ought to understand
what these words mean: LIST, To be bap,
TIED with the Holy Ghost does not mean
to be empowered to work miracles, though
some of the Apostles and perhaps all were.
1t does not mean the general influence of
the Spirit impaired in any way. There is
not one in any audience who has not felt
the influences of the Holy Ghost to some
extent.
Jesus procured by His death the gift of
the Spirit for the world. You may have
large amount Of this influence, yet not
have what the Bible means by baptism.
If men have enough of this influence to
say :" | believe in God the Father Almighty,
&c,' and to fast and give aims and attend
,.I,r Il, nd bav hon
of the Holy Ghost, they have not what is
offered them in Gods word.
What does 1t mean9 1t means such an
importation as to make us "neto creatures
IN Christ JesUs, to destroy the old Adam,
to root cut of us the seeds If sin and fill us
with 1.-THE peace Of God that passeth I'M
derstanding.' 1t is the coming into the
soul i'll the fulilment of the promise of
the Father and the Son and the Holy
Ghost. 1t means TO make these bodies of
ours fit temples for the indwcIling of the
Holy Ghost as King. This baptism was
not for the Apostles and those with them
above. 1t is our privilege to be cledhsed
from all sin. The Bible teaches it; it is
for the church: it is what we want; it is
what we must have to be prepared to do
the work of God on earth and to fit us to
enter Heaven. Peter says this promise
Is 10 you ana TO your cHllufcn, ana not only
to them, but to as many as are afar off,
even to as many as the Lord our God shall
call" This was spoken to the people of
all the then known world. If these things
are so, have we this power? don't ask
how long you have been member of
church, but haze ye received tie Holy Ghost
since you 6eIieged2' Has your faith wrought
in you SO that you have hungered aud
thirsted after righteousness 1t is the birth
right of the church. the legacy of the
Saviour, the best legacy God has given us.
1t will put all doubts to flight; it is IA dem
onstration Of the truth of the Bible. Trace
it down as far as you please, it is the same
thing. David prayed wash me, &C., and |
shall be ohder than sn0n. How can you
get it, BY believing the Billie, trusting in
Gods word, hungering and thirsting, &c,
No one ever got it in any other way
Let me entreat you, seek this baptism at
ouce as the pearl of great price; consecrate
yourself wholly to God, and you will one
day be one of the jewels of God that lie
will adorn Heaven with.
In the evening he preached a stirring
sermon from James ): 1920. We much
regret that we have not space for synop-
xis If il