Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-11-02

ahu Win sigh OF satisfaction
slt down and think how they can rest
but tins isn't the place to rest. II some OF
us were cut off tonight, there would be no
works to follow us. Let us not be talking
OF rest here. Let US come into the church
to work. The work goes OE. For 1900
years, the things that Christ taught have
been carried from century to century.
Another thought IL, our reward is there.
Those good Christians who turn out to the
meetings, and do nothing more, are not
necessarily the cnes who are to hear "Well
done, but those who work 1865 days in the
year. When Satan got hold of Paul, he had
hls match. Paul had his eye on the crown,
Nothing dlsmayed or discouraged him
neither stripes, stOning. scourging or
Jail. In jail he sang praises to God.
and many were converted. | am
afraid if it had been Mr.. Sankey there, his
song would have been Hark from the
tOmbs, dOleiul sound. Rome never had
such man as Paul. The power of God
rested upon him, the little tent-maker. He
walked to his death like a conquerer. If
you ask him if he had hard time. he will
| say 1t was glorious warfare. We can pic
ture him going to Heaven in golden chariot.
| They know him there. There are many
there who know him. and they watch him
on the way, and receive him with a great,
glad shout of welcome Let US see that we
! don't lose the crown. | am afraid there
will be many crOwnless ones there. Weare
told there is joy in Heaven in presence of the
angels over one sinner that repenteth.
| think perhaps that means joy felt
by those who have gone before. and
who rejoice at the saving of some one loved
and prayed for hero below. 1t is wonder
of wonders. If Queen Victoria should die.
/ there WOult . "a n
but perhaps it might scarcely be noticed in
Heaven. But If one of these little boys
should be saved. then there would be joy in
Heaven. Dear friends, won't you make
Heaven glad by repentlDg? Let US pray
silently that We may all meet in Heaven,
while those wishing to be prayed for may
arise and so signify it.
Fifty arose for prayers, and after an ear
nest prayer in their behalf, Mr. Moody dis
missed the congregation with the benedic-
tion.
The inquiry meeting followed in the room
below the church, and was fully attended,
much interest being shown.
AT THE CITY HALL.
The City Hall was well filled half an hour
before eight O'Clock. At that hour the
gathering suddenly became crowd. as the
people came pouring in from the church.
1t was strong testimony, surely, to the pow
er of the preacher and to the interest in the
subject of religion, that hundreds who had
been seated for an hour and half in the
church should hurry away as soon as that
meeting was over. to listen to Mr.. Moody
for another hour, in another place. The
throng filled the hall to the last foot of space
on floor, platform and galleries. The time
before Mr.. MOOdy's arrival was spent, az
usual, in the singing of gospel hymns, by
the choir, under Mr.. Sankey's leading.
Shortly after 8, Mr.. Moody appeared on
the platform. and read, from the 22d chap
ter of Matthew, the parable of the kings
marriage feast. and the man without we'd
prayer. Mr.. Sankey sang almost per-
suaded."
THE SERMON
Mr.. Moody took up the subject of the ex-
cuses which men make for not becoming |
Christians. where he LETT off on the previous
evening. A common excuse is that there |
aresO many hypOcrites in the church. One
man says church member cheated him out
of five dollars, ten years ago, and he does
not wish to associate with that kind of peO
pie. No more do |, it | can help it.
There are dishonest men within the
visible church-thJugh not nearly many
in the Church rs there are out of it-but
what is that to thee? You are to account to
God, not for anybody else's slls; but Tor
your own. The time il coming when the
hypOcrites will all be cast out, WAS the
man without wedding garment; and if
you do not wish to associate with hypO-
critics, come in with the other guests of the
king, to the marriage feast, or you will be
lett with the hypOcrites outside, and will
have 20 make your lot with them. Another
says, won't become Christian now, be-
cause | shall have to give up all joy, and 60
through lie with IA long lace. 1t il false.
Satan never invented Il blacker lie. | used
to feel that way myself. thought would
enjoy this life in my own way; ; and hoped
| would die ct last OF consumption or some
ling ering disease, which should give me time
To become u Christian, and so | said to my
self would make the most of both worlds
But God showed me that that was to make
the least of both. God wants to see His
children nappy here; and lie can make
them 50. Ii offer bread to starving mau
will that make him gloomy? When pardon
Is offered to the rehel, does that make BIN
sad. The Gospel Is pardon to the guilty,
bread to the hungry soul. If you would
know true happiness and peace, You must
come to Christ.
Another says " 1t is such a hard thing t.
be Christian-l have tried to make myself
better and found couldn't do il, aud it must
he harder yet to De as good as Christian
should he Ii IS hard to be all but Chris
tisn. But get His yoke on right and you
Will find 1t easy. The way of the t.ansgres-
sor Is hard; but the way of the Lord is not
hard For with every burden he gives
strength to bear it; and He goes before
His sheep, and makes the path smooth.
Another says: Il have not the time to
investigate this subject now There were
800 days in the last year; but in all, you
could not give an hour to the cause of your
soul You could spend five years to learn Il
trade, but can't spend i've minutes in learn
ing Your duty to God. Take the time.
What does IT profit you, man OF business,
you gain the whole world and lose your
soul There IL no business more important
than this You have had time enough to
make your peace with God. but thanks to
this grace, it does not take time, 1t only
takes decision. You can accept his offer
and be saved. here. tonight
licre is another man who says he il not bit
to come. lie wants to wait and make HIM
sell Il little better before he comes out a
Christian. But remember that il you were
To abandon some OF your sins in the future.
1t would not atone for those committed in
the past They would remain, a heavy
weight on your soul. And YOU would fail
IN Your effort to live without sin. So You
20 on, your past sins uniorgiyen. and adding
To them every day That is not the way.
Don't try to come to the marriage least in
any garment OF your own seli-righteousness.
II you were pure, you would need no
Saviour. Bring not your holiness but your
SIN to the Saviour. 1t Is that which will
commend you to Him. Ii my child has
committed fault and know 1t, will 1t
regain my favor by coming TO me with
presents, smiles and caresses? | can be
satisfied with nothing till the child has con-
ies>ed its fault and asked my forgiveness. l
don II want its smIles-but when il brings
Its Sm to me-that is what | want. So 1t Is
our sin that cODmends US to the Saviour,
and nothing else will.
Here is Il man who says 81 DO not feel
just right. When | have more feeling on
the subject, will come to Christ" II you
Can find verse in Scripture which pre-
scrIbes any measure of feeling, this is a good
excuse. You can then lie back, and say to
God. Nv hen you give me feeling enough,
will serve you" God says. he that belieueh
shall be saved. Believe. accept His offer.
and the feeling Will come, IN due time.
Still another says: II am 80 constituted
that cant do tins thing" How il that, =
50 constituted that You cant accept Gods
gracious invitation suppose my friend in
yites me to dinner. say mo, | think |
won't come" why" he asks, "are you
sick, or have You anothe: engagement"
Mo Don't you suppose | want to soc
your "Oh. Yes" well, what's the
matter why the truth Is, am 50 CON
Sh1Uisd can I accept your invitation" Will
my friend lo likely to take that as true ex-