Connecticut western news., 1879-08-20
PINE GROVE.
TUESDAY Y'S EXERCZSES
Forenoon.
SERMON BY REV. G. D. TOWNSEND.

SERMON BY REV. G. D. TOWNSEND.
 The regular services at the Grove yesterday commenced at 10 3-4 o'clock by singing the 7O7th hymn: "And are we yet alive?n The sun was shining brightly, and, although the raindrops glistened on the pine needles, the air was clear and bracing, giving promise of a glorious day. There was fair, although not a crowded audience present, and spirit of earnest hopefulness seemed to pervade the entire proceedings. The opening hymn was followed by an eloquent and earnest prayer by Rev. D. L. Marks of Gold Spring, N. r., after which the congregation united in singing the 525th hymn "Father, Son and Holy Ghost J The preacher of the morning was Rev. G D. Townsend of East Chatham, N. Y. The speaker took for his text the 9th verse of the 9th Chapter of Acts: "Lord what wilt thou have me to do?" Men are very apt to do very foolish things, said the preacher. Per haps they sometimes do the best thing. they can at the time, in accordance with their knowledge. It is well for them and for US to ask, "Lord, what wilt Thou have us to do?'' This Saul of Tarsus, when he fell to the ground and asked this question, was in just such position as you and have been And God did not lay out I!fe work for him, but told him one thing to do; ''Go to Damascus. Then further knowledge was communicated. So Jesus generally comes to us, first to awaken and alarm, and then further knowl- o6nn ic nd mentality is always employed, as in this case. It was human hand that touched the eyes ofSt. Paul. Take another case-that of Cor nelius-he was told to send to Joppa where he should be told what to do. He was a good, conscientious man, but he needed con. version, and he obtained it only when Peter came to him. Take another case, that of the Eunuch of Candace, Queen of Ethiopia. He was reading as he rode, and could not under stand: "He was led forth as a lamb to the slaughter, etc." He might have gone back to Ethiopia as ignorant as he left but for Peter's explanation. So it is always. The Holy Spirit convicts, but the conversion depends very, very much upon the human agencies employed
 If this is true, hesitation may often be fatal. If child is caught in burning house, what would you think of person who should turn away and say, ''If don't do the work somebody else will 2' It is the rumseller's plea, the towards plea; eff don't do il somebody else will"
 Philip, however, obeyed readily and ad- dressed himself to the work before him. "Be ye a so ready" to do the work before you. In that lies the secret of strength and power We came here to do good, and if we acork souls will be converted. Take an example from history The Scottish Chiefs, when uni came to this Camp Ground to sooq'k, and it is not the great men who are to do the effective work here. If we lean on them, we shall be disappointed. It is the steady perseverance pendulum as an illustration. There is alway, @ aecond to do a seconds work in. So there is always moment to do Gods work in-onl, let us improve that moment
 When Jesus sent lis disciples to go anc get the ass's colt, they hesitated until he tole them to say to the owner, "The Lord hatl need of it. So the Lord hath need of all oul work here, of every soul that may be convert. ed on this Ground. Who, then, shall do the work? Weorghc to foel, ~.e1 of ,,s, that the works rests on us as individuals And we ought to feel that it is not tr!tlSng responsi bility that rests upon us: 70 Save souh. God help us that we may have souls, redeemed and saved. as stars in our crowns of rejoicing
 The sermon was followed by a few earnes, and practical remarks by Presiding Elder San. ford, and the forenoon's exercises were closed by singing the doxology.