Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-01-30
For the SPECTATOR.
An Outline Of a Sermon.

Mr.. EDITOR Your correspondent
wishes to give an outline of q sermon
preached on the 18th of January by the
Rev. Mr.. Gaines, at Hebron, five miles
west of Staunton. I was not at the
first part of the service. Prayer and
singing was over. 1 just arrived in
time to hear tue preacher take his text
from the l4th chapter of ST. Luke's
gospel, and from the 18th to the oath
verses, inclusive. The attendance was
good, and silence reigned and profound
stiffness, as the midnight hour, except
the voice of the eloquent speaker.
which expounded the text so fully and
entertalulDgly to his hearers, The &C
cOmplished and faithful servant of God
explained the text beautifully with
paintings of fancy and with fowery
eloquence, which is one Of the charsc
teristics which marks all of his ser
mons. He first spoke of his mission as
servant. being sent out by his Lord to
invite those that were hidden TO the
foast-the Importance of his work and
that he delighted in the work of the
Lord as servant and he intended to
preach as long as he had strength to
press the invitation, Come, for all
things are now ready"
He spoke of the excuses which they
made TO his servants buying lands, oxen,
and marry ing, &c with on. consent
they began to make excuse" land
therefore l cannot come" He spoke
beautifully on this point, and warned
his congregation against procrastinatiOn
and delay in their return to God He
said the Lords, the Kings supper is
ready now, to-day, this hour, even this
fnr oil ~,
ready" 1t was not for next week, but
NOW, COME He spoke of the equality
the invitation brought about. There
were no distinctions in classes of peo-
pie, for all were invited to the feast,
from the loftiest to the humblest. AS
to the subjects in his kingdom, there is
no distinction as to wealth, prominence,
or position, for all were invited to
come The rich were invited, but, on
account of their treasures, asked to be
excused. The lowest of the low re
ceived pressing call. Urging and per
suasion are very important. compel
them to come in that my house may be
filed"
He then spoke of the cost of supper
that il it had cost millions of gold, 1t
would have been nothing for king if
1t had consumed the granary of tleir
store, or the fields of their fiocks and
herds, it would have been nothing for q
king. But it cost the life, the blood,
the greatest sacrifice ever offered by
any one. He laid aside the glory which
he had with the Father before the
world was, and took upon himself the
form of man and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the CROSS"
Here he spoke of the ample provis-
ions in the way of room for The guests,
land yet there is room.
Lastly, he asked his hearers what
they were going to do. Whether they
were coming to the feast or not, for the
king would expect an answer from
them by his servant. What must he
tell his Lord? Are you coming to-
day, next week. next yeaar, or are you
coming at all for he had to give an
account to his Master. He said it was
royal feast, royal invitation given
by a king.
He pressed it upon his hearers to
enraged, he may say in his wrath that
those that were hidden shall not taste
of his supper"
hope if there are any mistakes made,
that pardon will be granted, as I had
Leither pencil nor paper with me on
the occasion, but committed it to men,
ory while the preacher was preaching.
If my memory has served me we'll. it is
all we'll; but if not, pardon is request
ed. / think it is correct
May he who preached this live to
preach many more, and Heavens
choic st blessings be his.
Respectfully, yours,
A VISITOR.