Morning journal and courier., 1881-05-09
First Methodist Church.

Sermon by Rev. I. H. Vincent, D. D., of
 the Sunday School UnfOn-An Interest
 ing Discourse.
 Yesterday afternoon Rev. I. H. Vincent, D. D., secretary of the Sunday School Union, preached very interesting discourse at the First Methodist Episcopal church to large audience He chose as the basis of his re- marks the words found in St. John, Fist chapter, 17th verse, '"Thou knowest that love thee" The preacher said in substance that although many ages have passed since Christ questioned Peter, all must aeknowl- edge that Peter must have seen that Jesus was the most perfect model of a man. that ever lived. Byron exclaims that if ever man was God or God was man, Jesus was both. It was to Jesus that Peter looked, and to him he said thou knowest that I love thee. Peter said more than he thought when he made this remark. wonder if he remem- bered the VOW made only few days before. do not say that Peter's confession was not honest, but say that he may have been de- ceived in his love for Jesus Christ. Who can see Jesus folding the little darlings in his arms and not be drawn toward Him There is something more than beautiful in Christ's surrender in the garden. It is to me
 
 silent majesty We live more than 1900 years after his life and ministry, but if we were to stand before Him as he condemned the wickedness of evil of his day, could we now, looking back over the ages say thou know that love thee. We are apt to look at Christ's teachings with aesthetic tastes. We sing the hymns and join in the ritualistic services of the day, and we yield ourselves to sentiment and say veri- ly I do love thee. We are naturally warmed up into state of admira- tion and it is possible for us to follow this cause me delight when I see Methodism pro- gressing and taking front rank in the church es of the earth. Yet I may be mistaken when say 'sThou knowest that love thee.' You may plant the garden of flowers, but the winds will break them and when you look for them they are gone. On this beautiful Sabbath afternoon I say that it is very inn portant thing for you to say 'Thou knowest that love thee" I find clements in Christ that tell me whether I love Him not. I think you will find the key note in Christ's life, which was righteousness, '' that sturdy, vigorous course of character which makes a man something for time and eternity. If there be a character in Christ that will com mand the attention of men the world over, it is his utter abhorrence of sin and his love of righteousness. Is then the dominant delight of your life in righteousness? Will you scorn the opinions of others and endeavor to bring up your chll- dren in righteousness Then I will say that you may begin to say '"Thou knowest that I love Thee" Christ lived for others. He went about doing good and seeking where He might do good to others He washed the feet of his disciples. Do you love to go to people who need your helpful ministrations Are you sure that you would have helped Him
 when He was upon the earth? If so, you will minister to others who need help now, and then you may truly say, Thou knowest
 that I love Thee" The humanitarians of the day, who do all in their power for the
 bodies of men, forget that Christ looked after l the spiritual welfare of the world, and that he taught righteousness everywhere and On all ! occasions. One who loves Christ, looks | through Christ's eyes. It is grand thing to
 have passion to do good things for men; and when we do this we may begin to say, ''Thou l knowest that love Thee" Christ would sii | up late at night to do good to the people, and 1 in Gethsemane He said, If it be thy will, let this cup pass from me- but thy will not mine be done" Unless we have the spirit of sacrifice that righteousness may be promoted, we | have no right to say, ''Thou knowest that ] | love thee" What pleases me most is that
 Jesus Christ accepted Peters declaration.
 He accepted it lovingly, tenderly. He did | not say, Peter you are a weak man and you l will go and do the same thing again, but he put an obligation upon him, 'Feed my
 lambs; feed my sheep" There is power from beyond and above that comes to man,
 and this power that comes to him is the love ! of Christ. May the love of Christ enable uG
 to say on this beautiful May Sunday after
 noon, lead us all to truly say, thou knowest | that love thee.
 In closing the preacher asked those pres. ent to believe him when he said that the work of the Sunday School Union and Tract
 society was being done successfully and eco. nomically, and contribute of your means to
 it's support.
 | A collection was then taken in aid of the | Sunday School and Tract societies, which
 was apparently generous one.