Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1882-05-18
SERMON DELIVERED AT THE
FUNERAL OF MRS. NJ A. KELLY
IN EEw1eToN, MAY 2, lss2.
[By Rev. ]. ). Palmer I

BY Rev. J. ). Palmer
!ieve in God; believe also in me. In my
not 20 would have told you. 60 to pre-.
pare place for you."-(John II. l, 2, g.
When you consider the subject Jesus
had under consideration. his language
is most comforting and encouraging.
1t directs our thoughts to the mission
Of the Master. Though this exhorta.
ton was addressed to the chosen dis
ciples, it is applicable to Christians OF
all ages, as we'll as the world generally.
All can look to Jesus and contemplate
him as preparing places for them-as
revealing the mansions of the incor-
ruptible paradise for all to whom the
proclamation of the gospel is made.
There is much in the text to excite
serious and happy thought. 1t brings
to our minds the hopes and joys Of
Christianity which are ever grateful to
the soul. This is true whether we are
in affection, or in the happiest hours
of prosperity. First-We would in.
quire in the first place, why our hearts
should not be troubled.
We should not be troubled, because
We believe in God, and His son Jesus
Christ. Our text being almost the last
words Jesus addressed to His disciples,
they must have been of especial inter.
est to them. He was about to learn
them and He exhcrts them not to let
this trouble them, for He was engaged
in most benevolent labor for them.
But they did not fully understand the
import of His words, for Thomas said:
1--WE know not whittier thou goest and
how shall We know the way" Anoth.
er denied Him and a third wished 20 he
shown the person of the Father.
This is proof that He was not fully
understood. THAT the gracious lessons
of His life were indistinct in their minds.
Having been with Hin through all
Of His earthly ministry, they were still
imp rfect in their faith. But all this
doubling and hesitancy was removed
when the Comforter came upon then,
in its illuminating power. He left His
peace with them, assuring them that
they would rejoice because of the say.
ing, II 60 TO my Father" which was
fully verified in their history. But
previous to His reserection they were
somewhat in doubt. But shortly afte,
this, when the Holy Comforter came
they were no longer perplcxed with
doubts about the Missiah, or the work
he came to do, or what their duty was
Our text speaks of God as Father
Jesus calls Him my Father. This bles
sed title we can adopt, saying "My
Fther," as truthfully as our Maste,
could, fully realizing that this is true
for time and eternity. This assures
US of the most intimate rel ton with
our Heavenly Father, who is infinite ir
all of His attributes. What love there
fore must exist in the bosom of tn.
In6nitel love which blesses all wher
ever they exist.
1t is certainly an essential item il
the faith Of the Christian to have cor
rect views of the character of the Fa
'her. This We can have, if we do no
ascribc to Him t:ihutes, . kind lovin,
earthly parent would not acknowledge
An excellent way to obtain tru'
understanding of this subject, is t.
study the character of Jesus, who i
the express image Of His person. H
is the moral likeness of the Fathe
pictured to the world by Ills examp
and life. Learn His history and yo'
will be Impressed with His loving dis
position, His ardent sympathy and dis
interested labor for the moral elevation
of our race. A bond of good feelinI
ran through His whole life. He Va
earnestly devoted to the exaltation 0
humanity, which He thus intensified
with His dying breath-"Fitherforgiv
them for they know not what they do.
They knew they we're cruci!ying on
whom they called Jesus, but they wer
ignorant of His real character and mil
sion.
If Jesus so loved His enemies an
thus earnestly prays for them, and
He be the image of the Father, ss tn
sacred text declares. who should b