Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-11-07
The Thief on the Cross.

This was Mr.. Moody's subject Wednesday
noon, October 3lst, at Burlington. After
reading the twenty-third chapter of Luke,
he said Z" This is one of the most remark
able conversions on record. That this male
factor, nailed to the cross, should have turned
to one suffering the same terrible punish
ment, and perishing by his side by this most
painful and disgraceful death, and acknowl-
edged him as his Lord, is a most extraor-
binary occurrence. We notice that there
were three steps in this conversion. He be-
gan with the fear of God. When the other
thief rallied on Christ, this one rebuked him
saying: 'Dost not thou fear God p Next
he acknowledges Christ's sovereignty. He
addressed him as Lord and finally he had
faith in him. He said, Lord, remember me
when thou comest into thy Kingdom The
faith of this thief, who had perhaps never
before seen the Saviour, was greater than
that OF Christ's disciples, who had been with
him for three years. His hands and feet
were nailed to the cross but his eyes aud
heart were not nailed. lie could turn his
eyes to the crucitied Saviour, and yield to
him his heart. And Christ answered in
stantly his prayer. This nigh,' he said,
thou shalt be with me in paradise Is
there any one here that cannot do these
things, and, beginning with the fear of God,
acknowledge the Saviour and call him Lord,
and exercise faith upon him as the Redeemer
and Lord of life? If this thief could pray
ON the cross, cannot we pray? And cannot
we, AS he did, take Christ at his word 7"
LAID IN A MANGER
was his subject Wednesday evening-Luke
ii Z. For four thousand years the Jews
had looked for the promised Messiah. And
when he came we read that there was no
room for him The Prince of Wales had
royal reception when he went to India, and
very cordial one even i'll this republican
country. But when the Prince of Peace
came TO this earth, there was no reception
and no room for him. He passed by thrones
and kingdoms and went down to "a lowly
rnanger, that he might get his arm under
the poorest and vilest of our race, and lift
him up. He came to seek and to save the
lost, to give rest to the weary, to bind up the
broken-hearted, to give sight to the blind,
to bless all mankind; but there was no room
for him III Bethlehem. When he grew up
and told the Jews his mission, at Nazareth,
they cast him out--there was no room for
him there. He went to Capernaum but they
didn't want him there. He went to Jeru.
salem, and no one offered him "a shelter So
it was everywhere he went. Aud so it is
still. Our hearts are like that inn in Beth.
| lehem-there is room in them for all but the
Son of God. What nation wants him now I
What town or city, if it were put to vote
would vote To receive him? There is nc
room for him in political or business Oh
fashionable circles. | fear, even, that many
churches do not want him; else why dc
they not have him2 lie wants to come int
them, but they don't want him. How many
families have room for him. Many woulC
rather welcome the worst drunkard in Bur
lington to their iresides than the Saviour
1t is a solemn thing but we must confess tina
our hearts are too much like that inn at Beth
lehem; we should have to put out too mucl
that is dear " us to receive him. lie felt
when Oh earth, aud expressed in the sayiul
that the Son OF Man had not where 10 la
his head, his homelessness. No one care
for him. How sad is that passage where
says that in the great city of Jerusalem, o
the great day of the feast, where many ha
heard his preaching, every man went unit
his own house; but Jesus went unto tn
Mount OF Olives There was no hospitalit
for him in Jerusalem. Only in Bethany wa
there room for him. Only on the cross wa
there room for Jesus Martha and Mar
gave him home; and how he blesse
them" Mr.. Moody here described
, THE SICKNESS, DEATH AND RAISING OF
{ LAZARUS
! from the dead. Did not that family
d well when they received Jesus There al
n clouds of sorrow coming over each hous
hold, now. How soon they will break "
know not but none can escape Athletic
sooner or later. Then you will need "a irien
for adversely. DO you want comforte
take Christ DO you want a delivere
make room for the Son Of God. DO yo
want a keeper, to keep you from fa
ing2 Jesus is the Keeper of Israel /
you want share in resurrection unto life
q The dead shall hear the voice of the Son
y, God, and the dead in Christ he will raise l
II at the last day. DO you want mansiC
% above Then make room for the bless,
r Redeener here, and he will have home f
you above the skies. lie says he will nev
forsake those that receive him. Are the
any here who will not say tonight, w,
come, Lord Jesus 2 What wonderful co
T. decension, that the Son OF God should
willing TO be our guest Win you turn hi
away tonight 2" Mr. Moody told story
LITTLE DYING BoY,
who was distressed because he thought
must cross some dark mountains he thoug
" h. saw before him. lie begged his moth
. a. take him in her arms and carry him ov'