The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-12-24

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Because most of our churchmen are
hearers of the Word, but not doors oil II.
We show each Sunday the love which Is
the foundation of the world, but where
can we find to-day Il man who oIe7ses
them that curse him and prays Tor thehl
who despiteiully use him? we snow
each Sunday the faith, and the great men
who have become heroes by the power Oh
faith, but where is man to-day who
has faith so that ne CAD
remove mountains? We lead you eacn
Sunday to God, but you are satisfied
with Offering Him only one hour on
Sunday, aud ali the other time OF your
life YOU wish to walk your own way.
aye would not!"
We think also of the blessed wings OF
love, under which God has gathered us
i'll so many hours OF happiness, IN SO
many days of joy, But, instead OF beng
thankful, we take these blessings as
something gained by our own merit
And we think of the days OF which we
speak. They don't please us. God has
sent these days, to make US good, and
strong, TO lead us on the right way, ana
all things work together for GOOD 10
those that love God. But We do not SEQ
the spirit of God on the face OF the
muddy waters; We raise from the bed Oh
pain, not more enlightened than we
were when we we're thrown upon IT,,
and when misfortune breaks US
down, then is our highest wisdom cow
ardly fight or q curse. aye would not
And We think of all the divine warn
ings, we hear now in the parable,
closet, then on the loud market
OF world; OF all the sacred
moments in which we see Jesus. HIS pur-
ity AID virtue, his love and TRUTH oil al
the hours in which God will teach Us to
use our days that we may apply our
hearts unto wisdom. Bat we forget all
these warnings ard neglect to do and to
be good. Whereunto shall liken our
generation2 Joha came, neither eating
and drin king, and they say, "He hath
devil" The Son of Man came, eating and
drinking, and they say, "Behoid a triend
of sinners
There are no accusations or reprosches.
| will never Judge or accuse. Nhlle 1
preach | feel that l am rejectable too, l
have to struggle, like you, with the weak
ness OF my nature. These are thoughts
to put ia your h:srts; questions winch
you may answer :ruly and Tree OF selt-de-
ceit.
Christmas is co ming. We present our
children with gifts, to show them our
love, and their JOY Is our own JOY. But
what would we feel If our children were
unthank!ul? How sad would our hearts
be il our love, our careful education should
have fallen on uniruittul landI Our
love is only weak image OF the Devlne
love; our gifts OILY make us remember
that God so loved tue world that He gave
us Jesus Christ and blessed US with all
spiritual blessings in Christ.
May we be worthy OF all these bless
ings. Let us adhere firmly to our church,
and come together often rs children OF
God, and never forget in joy and sorrow
that our Father in Heaven will gather
us under His, blessed wings. Then the
words, aye would no." Will never
be spoken to US; then Christmas
will be birthday OF our new lie, and
ulder The beaming Christmas tree. we
can sing in our heart OF hearts Glory TO
God in the highest, and on Garth peace,
and good will toward men!
ST. MATTHEW'S.
Yesterday morning DR.. Armstrong
preached u vigorous sermon from the
text (55th Issiah, 18th verse; $50 shall
my word be that goeth forth out OF my
mouth: it shall not return unto me void.
There was large congregation and the
discourse WAS listened to with great In
terest and attention.
at is evident" said the reverend gen.
IL eman, that comparison has been ~
stItuted between the snow and rain
which is spoken OF in the preceding
verse, and the Word OF God
Both are of divine origin, although
some people are unwilling TO
acknowledge that God is the power
from whence the former comes. They
woud lain attribute them to natural
causes. To introduce God rs the force
and cause OF them is, in their opinion,
mere child's play. God is at once the
creator and generator of all things, and
his them ever under his notice, and
when YOU realize this, you have lound
the best and truest OF al PHILOSOPHERS.
The Holy Scriptures are of divine ORR
gin, and contain the best OF everything
spiritual. You have no right TO attribute
sught TO God save what Is in the Bible.
Christ resembles the spiritual snow and
rain. Both OF The latter are means 10
our end. The RAIN brings forth the
germ OF the seed of holiness
that lies within the bosom OF every man,
and the Snow shields and prot ,cts it from
the cold frosts OF sin.
Love OF man, holiness and all that Is
good within you cannot iall to be deep
ened by reading and dlgestlng the Bible.
On that this book were more faithfully
al by men. Not mechanically, with q
view to Boosting how many times you
have read it through, but as the one book
to teach you of the divine lite giver,
Jesus Christ.
This word is not void or empty, but full
of the loving Saviour, who is the
one central idea of the book
and whose history it is. Its only design
is to tell us OF His love and pity, his sui
fering and pain for our sake. And as we
reach the depths OF any work of great
thoughts, so only can We grasp al idea Of
the subimIty OF Christ. Only His doc
trlnes are taught in the Bible, and rs tits
full of Christ, so is It full OF spiritual lie
and sustaining power. Enough for each
aud all for evermore. This word is not
void and it VIII not "return void"
for two reasons: First, il contains
the power that elevates Us into the
light of Christ. 1t was given to you for
that purpose and II you TAIL to
avail yourself of it, if you do not act in
sympathy with the holy evsngalists snd
open your conscience, then you are lost.
1t will kindle fire in the heart of every
one who will permit 1t, to and from no
soul that will faithfully receive it will
Gods words return void. Second, there
are many who have this great gift
offered to them, but refuse it. Will
Gods words return void from them2 No.
In their case 1t will harden their nea-ls
and add TO their cOndem nation. God
meant It as means OF happiness 10 man,
but TO those who refuse 10 hearken to L.