The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-12

ccms1anceG fhe SSIICtSsSs sistcLoaylI anu ilSh.
feet order was observed. Mr.. Rainsford
preached as usual, but, as in the morning,
did not 30 into the pulpit. His remarks
Matthew, from tho 22d verse tEhere Jesus
wniketil on the sea 10 his dtsciples1. The
Lord Jesus Christ has not, said he. ceased
In this strange way TO come to men as he
came to his disciples ON the sen OF Galilee,
where he iirst found them, plying their
trade by the lake side. :.5ss. . .i..5
q He commenced his remarks by referring
TO the feeling in the minds OF the disciples
as they were approached by Christ, md OF
Peter when he asked, g Lord, il it be thou,
bid me come unto thee on the waterl"
aif Il be thou" was Peters cry. Like Pc
ter's desire to go to Christ. so il one single
soul Is conscious OF an awaking, s budding
out as Il were, a desire TO DE taught by Him
aud be like Him, it Is the soul reaching out
to come to Christ, as Peter desired to come
to Him on the water. In Peters case there
was such a strange blending OF belief and
unbelief-ttL Lord, If it be thou !"-half
trust and half distrust How near was Pc
ter 10 his Master! And sometimes 1t IL that
when we think the soul very near TO Jesus
it is very far Off; and then, again, we feel
that we are far away from Him ana yet are
very near.
COMING DOWN TO JESUS.
The speaker next proceeded to tell his
hearers in simple yet beautiful language
what it meant to come down to Jesus, as
Peter came down out Of the ship to walk
on the water to Jesus. He described very
graphically the souls that had come down
to Jesus, and, kneeling at his feet, had felt
that they were safe under the shadow OF his
y-af hot
has come out from the wreck, and been bid
by Him to cross the water, that has regret
ted the step. There is nothing else that
can satisfy-nothing that can fulfil the sat
isfaction OF coming to Christ.
Peter no doubt thought when the ship
was tossed upon the waters or sinking that
il he didn't 60 to Christ he would be lost,
and doubling somewhat lest it was spirit he
went. Ii we go to Christ it must be
whole-nearted coming down, else we can
not be saved. How can you expect God
will save your soul when you yield him
only your head? II this life must be saved
it must be surrendered to him, and we must
walk to him as he babe Peter come to him
upon the water. We can tell you of the
beauty, the power, and the love OF Him
who bids you come; tell you that the water
is solid upon which you are to walk; but
when it comes to changing your heart we
can't do that. We can't come down for
you, but we can tell you how sweet is the
way. of this coming down close to the feet
or Jesus, who loves you.
CHANGE I'M LIFE.
Mr.. Rainsford proceeded next to illus
trate the change in life by emigration Of
people from their native land and old homes
to the western world. He described very
beautifully the departure Of ship from
London with 800 souls on board, who were
to take the sad and solemn step OF leaving
their home and friends forever; but it was
more solemn thing TO change to God-to
come down out of ones self, and leaving
off ones old life to give up to Christ.
He next described Peters going to Christ
on the water, the thoughts that filled his
heart as he went to the edge Of the ship,
and, leaning over, saw the angry and trou-
bled sea; but hearing the Master bid him
come he let himself down with some doubt,
which he expressed when he said: "Lord, If
it be thou!" His jellow-disciples saw him,
and no doubt wondered that he was going
on the water that dark night. But he had
gotten to a point now where he could not
return. He must press forward to the mark
OF the prize. So be puts out one foot. 1t
seems very easy. He stands as it were upon
q solid foundation He is emboldened and
surprised that he has never done so before.
Why might he not give up his ship alto
gether aud walk upon the water? He
never would have believed that it could be
done; it was so easy and simple.
NEVER DOUBT.
He walked along boldly for awhile, for it
seemed pleasant and easy. Presently there
was sudden gust of wind and great wave,
and poor Peter began to wonder how long
it would last. Oh! here was his mistake.
He should never have doubted. And before
he knew what was the matter he began to
sink. He discovered his mistake at once,
even before the cold waters had reached his
knees. "He cried, saying, Lord, save me-"
and Immediately" Jesus stretched forth
his hand and caught him, and said unto
him, go, thou Of little faith, wherefore
didst thou doubt?"
The speaker laid great stress upon Peters
mistake in doubling, and said that we
should never doubt, or ask How long?"
for it is disbelief in God. He also spoke at
length upon the beauty Of the word i'm
mediately" in the verse just quoted, and
commended Peters example to his hearers.
He urged them not to wait until temptation
has overcome them, or until unbelief has
made it too late to cry to God for help; but
to come down tonight until you reach the
point from which you cannot go back.
When Peter was about to sink and Jesus
stretched out his hand and saved him he
did not reprimand him and say, l have
taught YOU lesson, but Immediately"
he stretched out his hand and caught him.
So it is with salvation. No man who will
stand UP in this church tonight and say he
believes in the Lord Jesus will be lost. The
great hands of God will clasp him and the
strong arms Of the Father will keep him
from sinking beneath the angry waters.
THE LOVE OF CHRIST.
The speaker towards the close OF his re-
marks proceeded to describe the love OF
Christ, and in doing so gave an Illustration
in the nature Of an incident that happened
of DR.. CuIlis's hospital in Boston. 1t is said
that no patient is ever brought to that hos
pital who does not before he dies or recoY-
ers, confess Christ and experiences
change Of heart. Upon recent occasion
prison was received for treatment ut the
hospital. He was consumptive and a
complete wreck. After he had been fixed
in the hospital he said to DR.. Cullis, "I hear
that no man has ever been received here
who has not made confession OF Christ;
well, sir, am going to prove to you before
I die here that such will not be the case
with me. and that q man may die without
having any hope"
The ncyt day. as the kind, good Doctor
made his rounds, he stopped by the poor
mans bedside, and said, Friend, 40 you