The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-03
FIFTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.
CRAVING LOST BLESSINGS SERMON ny REV.


Rev. DIR. Armitage preached ON the subject Of
Craving Lost BLESSINGS" taking his text from II.
Samuel. xiii. 15-"Oh that one would give me
drink Of the water OF the we'll Of Bethlehem which
is by the gate!" lawyer of distinction in this
State, said the preacher. was dying of disease
which cut of all nourishment whom he craved,
above all things certain kind Of fruit. prepared
his mother gave it to him when boy. Here q
yearning for the dead mother rather than the well
remembered fruit which childhood took from her
hand with such zest This 10 exactly the idea OF
David when he uttered the wish the text. Bethle
hem his native place. and near its gate was
we'll which known to this day as "David's WELL"
1t stood upon steep hillside. 1t was deep and it's
wators cool and clear. supplying the ancient town.
DR.. Racket said when the spot in 1852.
that there was no better water in that region.
When boy David drank Of its refreshing waters a
thousand times. Nothing is dearer to boy. and
especially shepherd boy. than the delicious spring
from which lie quonches his thirst at the gate of his
native town. Inc lad David met childish groups
household supply. Grlish chat and boyish play
beguiied fatigue there. The moist lip whispered
soft words aud the bright threw softer glances
But wonderful changes overlook this comely of
Jesse. He exalted from the shesptod to the
throne. ana royalty brought with 1t stern and
contests in the field. At this he intrenchcd
in the rocky Businesses against the Philistines. His
circumstances were trying; his troops were wild;
Ssartsics Then no dreamed Of his fathers honso
Of his gleeful boy hood in Bethlehem; tho bliss Of
his childhood came back and he wished that he
q child again: the old pastures of Bethlehem spread
themselves before him; he heard the songs or the
birds again in the fields where Ruth cleaned among
tho wheat sheaves; all at the picture Of the old
we'll passed before him and he cried. "Oh that ono
would give me drink Of the water OF the well Of
Bethlehem, which is by the gate!'
nEcALLINa MEMORIES OF PEACE
David locked up in that stronghold pictures every
one of when overtaken by bitter experiences
When We look away on the weary steps which
stretch between us and happier days we feel a pas
sionxte esrnestness calling back to their inno-
cence and love- and the further OIL is the dream tho
moro enchanting 10 the thought that more
draught from the aforementioned well would put
new life into us forever. As the Bethlehem we'll is
deep, asked DR.. Armitage. can we not draw from 1t
q cup o. living water for craving souls this morn
sigh for eSory child of God that fountain in
the heart might renow the Joy of his first love for
Christ and make him young again in all that is pure
and strong renewing him sfresh in spiritual life?
What Is moro common than to lose first glad
vigor. that VIC come to foel old aud heavy in
Christian Iifea In sentiment. conviction and prin-
ciple we are still disciples OF Christ; but many
is the long day sirce we felt His power
thrill the soul the blood of boy
drink from the well by the gate. 1t is bad feeling
when . man ceases to be young and glad in his
lgious life and begins to be old and sluggish but he
will become SO II he does often drink OF the we'll
of Bethlehem. Brethren. said the Doctor in
conclusion. how many years Is 1t since you drank
full pitcher brimning ovcrl You were just
happy and iight-hearted then rs this shepherd boy
before to the throne, and Perhaps like him.
you have never been half so happy since. Arise
from the deep ravine. press through the Philstine
price Of toll ana risk. The men who brought it's
water to David were fockcd with blood in their
heroism to secure Il. There must be with you the
remuneration of all dependence upon meaner waters.
Let the immortal stream I'LL ali the capacities of
your longing soul till every wish shall end in full
Of Bethlehem till and signing shall Il % away
and everlasting Joy shall be upon your hcads.