The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-12-14
SERMON.
yAe Greea-Eyed Monster
by IRVING A. sEARLEs.

things which were spoken by Paul. contradict
ing and Disappearing. ID, 10.
Paul and bis coaborer, Barnabas. we're in
Antioch. While here they west one Sabbath
into Jewish synagogue. After the Jews are
through with their religious exercises they in
vite Paul and Barnabas to make few remarks.
Paul taxes the opportunity to preach sermon.
The Jews who il would seem were already
getting little jealous, did not invite Paul to
come again, but come OF "the Gentes be-
sought that these words might be preached to
them again"
|. They did not ask for new Gospel but
they wanted to hear about the same theme
again. The world does not need new Cos
pei, or Few Savior, more than it needs new
sun in the heavens. If it were possible for
rubbish TO accumulate between us and the sun.
hiding us rays from Us, we might wish that
rubbish removed but we would not clamor for
new ORC. | do not wonder that men ask that
some OF the theological rubbish which has been
brought between them and the sun OF Right
eousness might be removed. Further than
this novelty is unneeded. The world still calls
FOR the same old story"
2. Paul instructs them 20 take care and not
allow the interest in their own hearts to die
out. ' Persuaded them TO continue in the
grace Of God You have heard the truth
GU are greatly excited by it. You are all en-
thusiasm. on think am the greatest preach
er YOU ever heard. BE careful that tins does
not cease very soon. 1t is one thing to get all
excited Ike Ibis over religion and II is another
thing TO continue in the grace OF God. -
Nearly every preacher has had just such ex-
perience rs this. he goes to a new field of
labor. There is certain class who will say
" He is the greatest preacher shat l ever heard
l never took such interest in religious matters
as now. n fact. never used 10 go to church"
These persons attend church regularly about
six weeks ard then we see their faces there no
more forever. heap OF shavings on fire they
made good deal Of smoke but had no steady
blaze.
The famous picture OF Michael Angelo 1.-THE
Last Judgment" elicts the admiration OF all
artists. N one Of the art galleries Of Europe
there is an apartment known as " The studies
OF the masters Here you will find slips OF
paper upon which Angelo wrought experiment
sfter experiment before the picture suited him.
For instance. here is human hand in this
position. there one in another, there one in
still another, until at last you see hand in an
attitude that corresponds exactly to hand as
IT is found in the completed picture. Patiently
the great artst tried again and again before ne
could get even so much as that small part OF
his painting to suit him. Angelo not only be-
gun his work, but he continued until all suisse
qCent ages have admired his genius.
y. The next Sabbath came almost the
whole city together TO hear the word Of God.
The fame Of he preacher has gone forth and
he does Not lack for hearers. Learn from this,
first, tina, 10 preach so as to produce sensa'
ton does not imply peryerslon OF the truth
Not preacher has drawn a crowd but the cry
has been raised, "he Is sensationalist."
ask you 10 consider that Paul's preaching in
Antioch created sensation. Almost the
whole cty" focked to hear him lie did not
secure these crowds by holding back any OF the
truth Stunned not to declare unto you
the whole counsel Of God" You see the ex-
element lie produced Taking Paul as my
model, I am forced 10 the conclusion that
preaching which does not produce sensation
is not gospel preaching. Secondly learn from
this that the human heart naturally longs for
the truth. ~ III the Old forest you viii find
the trees alon- the sdge Of the woods sending
ont larger and longer branches toward the sun.
Ugh, than they 10 toward the darkness in the
interior O, the forest, 80 the human mind in
stinctlye'y shrnks from the darkness and
reaches out for the light. When Paul holds
mp the light of the gospel in Antioch nearly
the whole city is attracted to It.
To say that toe human heart is too depraved
20 hear The truth is very convenient way for
preacher TO account for dearth OF hearers.
Why, then, did they flock to hear Paul? The
human heart is no more depraved now than
then. / verify believe that this repugnance to
the truths OF the gospel is owing largely to the
way in which those truths are presented. 1
never vet saw child that did not like candy.
/ meet little child on the street, and instead
Of presenting that candy in the proper way
attempt TO stun the candy down the child's
ear. The little creature viii object. I then
gay How depravad that child's taste" Sc
We preachers. by our awkward or unnatural
presentation Of TIE truth find that people Oh
iect aud stay az home and read, instead OF
coming 10 hear us. We say, How depraved
the human heart 1t is very poor attempt
TO shit the responsibility from ourselves The
human heart is no. go depraved as to keep
away from the truth when 1t is properly pre-
scented. The Gospel rightly preached crowded
the synagogue al Antioch. and the same Gospel
rightly preached vii throng any church OF
to-day.
&. =" But when the Jews saw the multitude
they were filled with envy, and spake against
those things spoken by Paul, contradictlng and
blaspheming." Now the green-eyed nontser
comes on the stage We take off his blanket
aud ne stands exposed to the pubic gaze. The
Jews hud It impossible to keep qaiet when
such crowds are rushing to hear Paul. Thew
had sad, " Lord give US revival. but n,eos e
lot 70 be IN our own church. Lord ponr ON,
thy spirit abundantly but please let il he re-.
sirictcd to these particular walls. Copvar,
this whole town 20 Christ. but Oh Lord arr.,,,
it SO that all the converts viii Join onr church
II seems strange that the green-eyed r,,,,,,.,a,