National Republican., 1883-09-17
THE CONSULTATIONS OF GOD.
A SERMON BY REV. SAMUEL GREENE.

SERMON BY REV. SAMUEL GREENE.
Rev. Samuel II. Greene preached for the
first time since his return from vacation to q
large congregation at Calvary Baptist church.
yesterday morning After words of cordial
greeting to his congregation, the sermon was
preached from the text
Are the consultations of God small with thee p
Job XIV,
Our greatest problem ia life. Upon it, in
some phase, we spend the days and years. 1t
is not enough to exist mere animal existence
does not make life worth living. There must
be life deeper, broader olier within. or it is
a sad failure. There must bo somewhere
within "a "hnly of hOliCs" or the temple is q
mockory. What is this physical life in itself
but II mysterious blending of weakness want,
disappointment suffering and DEATH Its
beauty or Joy are borrowed. True life
il not self ccntcrcd. Its sources of comfort
and strength are without. Like the lamps
not eusily extngnished because of the supply
ing hand beyond the wall, so true satisfaction
is not the gift of the life itself, but the min
istering hand beyond. We do not always
recognize it, but our consultations are gifts
not our own product. Every hope hangs on
the thread Of divine care, and the golden
stores of the futare must come to us through
heart beats all in His keeping.
There is but one source of consolation.
We seek others, but they do not exist. The
stole may stolidly endure, but he is not con-
forted. Friendship, pure and holy, may
minister richly, and yet IN its best estate it is
out reflected light. The sparkle of the dew
drops should point US to tho sun-not itself
MS the source OF light.
In life's dark hours men crave divine com
fort. Often Gods word and servant are wei
come IN such circumstances where il would
not have been true before In all lands and
times the topics Of comfort among men have
turned toward the divine as naturally as the
needle TO the polar star. There is but one
comforter; all others are but echoes or relec-
tions. 10 "the God Of all comfort we must
como Put your own endcavOr over against
the truths OF the Biblein the hour of bereavc'
mont and know how empty and deSolate you
are.
You will observe here the measure of Gods
consultations. How completely they cover thu
field of human need, care love, forgiveness
immortality. There is no pass in the journey
unruarhed by somo of the comforts OF thesI
truths. They span, like a rainbow arch, tht
Nay ! tread, sweetest aud holiest OF al
ti,Ougha. The wreck and waste OF life Il
rLuut me, but the consultations OF the eterna
tH'i are iliuo. Here is care in need, comlor
in .orruw, life beyond the grave, Surely th'
e, usl.uiiuns Of God are not small.
.gp thcsc consultations small with you
= rnY vYirti there is no scnt supply Are yot
lu ,uluvytcdy 1t was not the divine thought
'lHl wa should ne lGlt mere betrayed Deroiv
ltarlIukuu. ThA store of help was close u
rand. .loh Iound it aud triumphcd; so witt
!auH.o with Baxter. Many of MS need no
tuHurh q new faith as practical use of wha
vr have All comforts spring from a common
rot. 'hough It's leaf and iruit may differ will
il.. ta.,u6,
Hoe. II is grace TO be honest charitable
r.n~rmI Wonder, it is TO suffer on, mourn
,,r ugnni to die But the germ of every con
lul,lrDn ls the same You have itin your faitl
IN Gyd, the sublimest hour to mOrtals il