Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-01-28

and will be seen to be so in the end. God
here saws: 81 will make darkness light be-
fore them, and crooked things straight
The preacher next proceeded with the sec
ond part of his discourse, showing that the
dark mysterious way is the aight way and
will seem to be so in the end. God here says
81 will make darkness light before them and
crooked things straight And then in third
place he showed that we have the assurance
that through the way and to the end of the
way Gods love and compassion will never
forsake US. Showing why God cannot for
sake us. first because He s.is not man that
He should lie, nor the son of man that he
should repent" Secondly, because He must
put honor upon His own gift; and he con-
cluded as follows. Thirdly
God will not forsake us, because he would
thereby tarnish the lustre of the Saviours
victory. Were God to forsake man, he
must leave him to his spiritual foes; he must
leave him to perish. We know that Satan
never forgets his purpose of ensnaring and
destroying souls; and were God to forget his
purpose of protecting them, man must be
forever lost, and the Saviour spoiled of his
promised inheritance. But this can never
be. Christ and His Father are one; their
glory one their triumphs one; and when one
Of Christ's flock shows desire to obey the
good Shepherd at once, and to follow the
track of his Redeemer, even thought be "by
a way that he knows not, and in paths
that he has not known" God will prove to
that poor wandering sheep, that, though he
may be brought through these dark paths, the
darkness shall yet be light; and thus through
the way and to the end of the way, the love
of God shall never forsake him.
Let us learn then the lesson of obedience.
Plymouth.
At Plymouth church, the Rev. DR.. Dana
preached an able sermon, and SO edited his
congregation that they are unanimous in
the desire to secure him as their future pas
tor. His text was:
Acts 5: Is q. c.) ''That at least the shadow of
Peter passing by, might overshadow some Of
them
This was the subject, according to the
Scripture narrative of bringing into the
city's street, those who were sick. It was
enough to secure for such the healing they
needed, if only the silent shadow of the
Apostle fell on them. Peter himself, now
the leader of the apostolic band, had pro-
duced most profound impression upon
those who heard his pentecostal sermon. Now
fresh from the startling scene with those
who had sought to deceive him by their lie
to the Holy Ghost, with the awe that early
tragedy had awakened attending him, the
multitude, it is said, crowded about him.
All could not of course approach his person,
SO they who had brought their sick ones to
see him, in their earnest faith, anticipated
the Apostles steps, and laid Them along his
course, SO that his shadow might fall upon
them. Thus, it was believed they could be
cured, and in this way they really were
cured. Nor is this the last instance in
which the shadow cast by truly Christ-like
person, has had a signal power. Well
friends, we cannot hope in the self same
way to bless those in need, now of remedial
help, but this is still true, our own shadows
fall upon the weak, the needy and the SHINING
as really as did st. Peters, and our travelled
ways have those along them who receive
upon their persons our passing shadows.
We raise accordingly this very practical, but
grave question, viz; what RESULTS from our
meeting and passing those who thus for a
little come under our personal influence.
| l. In the outset, then, let it be held as
|
bic or unconscious influence flowing out
from us all the while, is the shadow cast for
our characters. Everyone who lives affects
those whom he meets, or with whom he as
sociates. He represents certain sentiments,
incarnates certain principles, feelings, be-
liefs, and as he moves daily through the
community, he cannot help making some
kind of impression. In other words, he
casts q shadow wherever he goes. For this
reason every man is responsible not only
for what he purposely does, but as we'll for
what he unconsciously does. The very fact
that we are moral beings, having choices
aims and characters of our own, gives us
this power of casting shadow, and of this
power no one of us can divest himself.
There is secret, undefnable influence that
everyone possesses, which is really the I'M
conscious reflection of his own. selfhood
The real power, therefore, of religion lies
not so much in it's written creeds as in the
perpetual and mysterious influence of its
long line of confessors. In personal charac-
ter, let US never forget, resides that invisible
potency which gives to the virtuous theil
: sovereignty over men, and which, when los
by crime of any sort, saps off all influence
the statesmans eloquence, the business
} mans name The public will trust them NJ
more, because that sweet musical accompani
} ment, called personal uprightness, has ceased
to follow their words and deeds.
2. Again, notice that it is by this shadov
casting we do our chiefest good or harm.
is not small thing for US to be SO consti
tuted that we cannot be in the world singl
day without influence of some sort. It's on
characters, varied and variable as they are
r which cast the shadow, and we cannot s
/ u1ard ourSa1voa that othorn shall not oaa an
feel this protective of our real selves
What harm, when we think of i
9 comes from men who wear
t oh for those who, whether as tradesmen q
t mechanics, whether as engaged in bushes
g or the professions, shall be embodiments
t genuine goodness, making the world feel til
9 charm of their earnest piety, because {
q which they shall become healers of strif
u and by the mesmerism of pure heart, sha
7. exalt and sweeten the social and civic lii
IS about them, holding the world to belief
!; honor and honesty by the potency of the
,; character. whose shadow was a perpetu
p benediction.
II 4. Here, finally, is pointed out one way
n which we may all be of benefit to others.
le is not always our voluntary efforts which {
ID the most good, nor is it the most eloquent
t, spoken words that convince men the que
is est. It is by shadow casting We can ofte
IS times do more. No one can have man
i religion and not reflect it. We do not me;
is to disparage concious influence, nor tho
If purposes which lift the soul to gre
to ventures; but point to the fact, n
IN sufficiently noted in these days of hurri
er and wearying endeavor, that the Apos
O. wrought most helpfully, as he walked am
IN the weak and needy, and let fall on the