The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-02-09
METHODIST CHURCH.


gate, for in six days the Lord made heaven
and earth, the sea, and all that in them IL,
and rested the seventh day, wherefore the
Lord blessed the seventh day and halowed IT, "
METHODIST CHURCH.
Sunday A. f. GOODWIN preached from
the text John. 10, 25:27. The sacrament
we to-day celebrate Is intended to realize
to the generations OF earth-in some
measure-the scene presented In these
words: IT'S not n sacrifice. Christ
offerad himself once forall. There is no
more sacrifice for sin, II is simply a mo-
mento. ave do this in perpetual memo
ry OF that his precious death until his
coming Rgain."
would dwell upon the scene present
ed In the text. in connection with the
feast we celebrate, as means OF bring
ing us in thought and feeling just where
the Mary's and the beloved John were
In person smear the cross" This is holy
ground, and as Moses put of his shoes
when approaching God, in the burning
bush, so let us put away those sterner
thoughts and feelings in which we trace
the beaten path OF worldly business and
trace, in meekness OF heart, the lesson
of this touching scene.
1. The persons here spoken of: The
three Marys-the mother of Jesus, her
sister and the faithful Magdalene:
The disciples are fled-stern soldiery
anu the MOD Iut
yet these noble women abide near the
sacred spot till the mortal pang is past
Immortal Marysl BY being ''last at the
cross and first at the sepulchre" they have
doubly retrieved woman from being first
in the transgression."
Then, "the disciple whom Jesus loved"
Jesus loved all his disciples, but John
seems ever 10 have had larger share
than the rest. No reason Is assigned for
this; vet, we can but remark, he was
among the first of Jesus followers, and
this, no doubt, strongly attached the
Savior to him. Then, he was the youngest
&C the disciples, and Jesus tenderly loves
the young. Then, he seemed to have
possessed more OF the spirit of Christ
than the rest, ana his present station
shows his superior love. "By the cross"--
Was IL not the greatness of this love-
ever crying within him, "nearer my God,
70 thee"---that pillowed his head upon
Jesus' bosom at the last supper, and that
brought him to His cross when dying,
and that In turn made the disciple dearer
10 his LOrdy
?. Their situation smear the cross of
Jesus"
They were not alone at the cross. 1t
heightens the grandeur of sheir conduct
TO glance at their surroundings. The
chief priests, scribes and elders, wise
aud ignorant, soldiery and rabble make
up the excited throng gathered at the
cross, with what varied emotions. Many
were there out of curiosity to see the
execution, nothing more. Many sterner
hearts were there out of hatred to the
illustrious sufferer. And many were
there officially, the executioners, to see
the work of death fully accomplished.
Now, from far different motives, and
with far different feelings the Mary's and
the beloved John were there, "by the
,ross". They were there as his weep
inS friends to show their love was I'M
abat,sd and unc0nqerable by fear or
with him rs far as possible-into the
midst of his enemies; the thickest
of the battle. And the advanta.
Qes of the situation amply repaid
them for their fidelity. They saw
his fortitude in death; received his last
affectionate look; heard his wonderful
words to the dying maletactor, and the
hublime exclamation, 'fIt is finished"
As his faithful servants, TO receive his
diving commands. And he laid upon
them parting injunction; saying to his
mother, as he liked his eyes upon John,
"Behold thy son." and to John, "Behold
thy mother" thus giving dying charge
TO them, and through them to MS all.
3. The instruction this lesson furnishes.
An example of flial piety. See the Son
of God when perfoi ming the work of re-
demption and enduring the agonies OF
death, still thinking OF his mother and
providing for her welfare. fe who are
wanting IN reverence and love forparents
have need to get "by the cross" and
catch n better spirit. Parents bring your
children up under the influence of the
spirit of him who said in deaths agonies,
ASbehold thy motherP' 1t Will make
xhem blessings of obedience and love for
parents, TO tighten ufe's burdens, instead
of crushing with sorrow and care.
An example OF the weakness of poor
human nature. Where were all who had
gladly heard his word; all those who had
received healing and life from his blessed
handsY Many then, az now, could follow
him amidst the cries of "hosannah," but
mot of "crucify him" Where was the
self-conAdent Peter! "Let him that
thinketh he standeth take heed lest he
,,sn." We want higher order OF cour-
ags to be soldiers of the cross than of the
state, We must see Jesus crucihed
afresh day by day and stand before his
crueiflers. the bold aud fearless disciples
or the erucified. Only a courage d.
yiuely added to faith and crowned
by unconqnerable love will sufiice for
this
An example Of the unconquerable
power of love. Love brought the
MEry's and John to "siand Dy the cross
and nothing else can constrain men 10
bear the cross in every trial here. Did
only the Mary's sitting at Jesus feel, and
he who leaned on Jesus bosom get
enough to bind their hearts to him in the
hour of trial? Then be Mary Mt his
feet, or like John lean upon his BOSOM
4sNearer my God to thee" be this the
cry ofevery heart.
An example of Christian sympathy and
heneyolence. What he said to John, he,
in effect. says to all, "behold thy
mother"
Jesus oommends the needy eff his peo-
ne to the care OF his disciples and says
.whaisoe YER ye do to them In my name ye
do IL unto me-" Would you be near his
cross TO catch the spirit OF his great souly
Then HE thee away TO some narrow lane
or dusky garrett and there see, hid away
from the worlds scorn and sympathy the
Lords poor.
ssIn them He may be clothed and fed
And visited ana cheered,
And In their accents OF distress,
Thy Savioor's voice Is heard.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The text was Nehemiah, viii---10---'The
Soy of the Lord is your strength"
The ideal Christian life Is n life OF song,
and oar strength comes from the JOY
which God alone gives. We mention
/. What the JOY OF the Lord is not. ~
Tits not the vigor and exhilaration which
comes from physical \health---for sickness
and death cannot deprive man of this
ioy. (2) IL Is not the happiness which
comes from outward prosperity merely.
This Joy may abound even In poverty. ~
Norioes It come from that which the world