Omaha daily bee., 1882-11-05
SABBATH SERVICES.
Commission and Reception of
Members at the Presby-
terian Church.
Sermon Preached On the Occasion
by Rev, Barsha.

the sacrament of the Lords Supper,
and the following outline is taken
therefrom:
We see the contrast between the
two men, Lazarus and the rich man.
There was a time when the rich man
looked with little sympathy upon the
beggsr who laid at his gate,
waiting for the pieces of bread which
were thrown to the dogs. Would the
rich man consider Lazarus his equal ?
Would he consider hiIl his superior 7
By no means. But there was a change.
There were two deaths to cast a gloom
ovor the pleasureable sunshine of
mans existence. The scenes upon
the stage of reality are beyond the
grave, and Lazarus ID claimed, by the
rich man himself, to be the victor,
and can give to him relief if the es-
tablished laws of Gods ordaining are
willing, and while the rich man, in
asking for a messenger from God to
90 and tell his five brothers of their
danger, was asking for that which
would be impossible to grant, still he
may baye thought of the two who APP
peared on the mount of Transfigura.
tion with Christ, and while We do
not hear a literal voice from Heaven
saying to us, "come up hither," we do
hear voices in many ways which con-
tinually attract u attention and
direct our steps.
1. Who are the persons command
ed2 The persons commanded are
many The light is pure, blending in
it the many %colors, for God is pure.
And as this light Is aiming with ita
purity upon the dark places of the
earth, it is throwing light upon the
many ways which he in his providence
has prepared. Every leaf which in its
beauty drinks its life from the tree,
according to the stern laws of nature,
as many may look at it, must fade,
and every JOY that cheers the heart
onward to activity must cease, and in
these ways he is saying to US, come up
hither. He shows to US by the world
itself, that it is nothing, eternity ia
not Its companion. And in the divine
word he directs us to a place mot
made by hands eternal in the heavens. ,
God the Son is included in calling
man and directing him heavenward,
and for this purpose he suffered and
died. He says to us, "Follow me-" 81
am the way" I go to prepare a place
for you, "Come unto me, all ye that
labor and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest" Thus by making this
preparation, we infer that God is to
finish some preconceived work.
liza general prepares a military road
on the mountain, he does not do it
without a purpose; and we find nations
which might be effected thereby pre-.
pared to defend themselves.
The holy spirit is also included in
this divine harmony of persons, and
he who came in the form of a dove
upon Christ. and in the shape OF
tongues of fire upon tho apostles, and
who was sent by the Father and the
Son to finish the work which Christ
commenced is guide to heaven,
our, instructor In bringing all things
to our remembrance, and our com.
%forter, while in this world of trial
where sympathy is at a discount.
The Christian, by his life and
death, is calling. The apostles, who
have gained Heaven, are saying to us
by their deeds and their position,
"Come up hither." AS the shades of
night are gathering around her, and
her thoughts are riveted Cd the loving
child who has left her, the mother is
called by this significant trial in her
life, "Come up hither."
Things transpire continually, and
to those who will listen to the voice
which is speaking through them, they
hear the same words, ringing the
changes on the chimes of Providence,
"Come up hither."
Still there are those who, while they
hear these words, will not stop to
listen-life sings a song more gay and
festive. But should one, while cross.
ing the Alps, and being warned by
others of the coming of an avalanche,
and advised by them to come where
they were to avoid being buried by
this large body of snow, treat this
kind warning and invitation with in.
difference2 The words "Come up
hither would in an instant fill his
mind with expectant danger, and when
the dread car of death had passed,
those three words would be SO deeply
impressed upon his mind that time
would not erase them. Would We
say then to this call which comes from
the Creator, "We know il andcan care
for ourselves"
2. Application of these invitations
The place In question is not a prison,
but it is where there are many man
sions prepared by the Supreme Ruler
for those who through their faith in
Him, Christ has brought back (redeem.
ed) by His blood.
1t may also be applied to the com
munion, and to-day we say to every
one who has never tasted His love
come up hither. If a friend should
request you to visit His grave wher
the night of death had chased away
the light of human life, there would
be nothing that would deter you, ant
at that grave you would think Of all
that was good and beautiful and truC
in tho life of that departed one. Ant
the Lord says the same in reference t.
Himself, and ON account of it estab
lished this sacrament, that His gray,
may be dedicated TO His glory,
We are the same as We were five
years ago, although the silvery lock-
Of old age may not indicate it, but We
are changing continually for the better
or worse. We are either advancing
in grace and power to accomplish
more good, or We are being fastened
more securely by the vice of habit