National Republican., 1883-06-18
Preached in Some Of the Washington Pulpits
Yesterday.
"Bread Cast U pom the Waters" as
Illustrated by Rev. Dr.. Bittinger
Rev. Dr.. Crummell's Tenth Anniversary Sermon at
st. Iuke's Episcopal Church.
Rev. G. f. sonteg's Interesting Sermon
Confirmation ut st. Dominic's.


At tho Westminster Presbyterian church
OH Seventh, between ID and Il streets south
west Rev. DIR. B. +. Bittinger, the pastor, ,deliv-
cred an eloquent sermon, taking his theme
from Ecclesiastes xi, 1 "Cast thy bread upon
the waters"
The allusion here made, he said, is to the
sowing of rice In China and other places
thousands Of persons may be seen at the right
season casting rice on the receding waters
and, which sinking into the aluvial soil,
takes root, and shortly after is seon fields
ripening with rich grain. Thus tho words of
the text are literally fulfilled. The inhabi-
tants Of those countries acknowledge and act
upon the principle that what at the time may
seem to be lost is really a great gain.
II may be done without design and without
any expectation of again seeing it, At the
time it may seem to be lost. But waited by
the winds, the seed may be carried to the
shore and blown into some congenial place
where, taking root, IL springs up into q tree,
and afterward bears fruit to satisfy the wants
of the hungry. Now understanding by the
bread the seed of truth-a kindly word-a
friendly act, we are reminded that the one
cannot be spoken, nor the other done, without
making some impression, producing some ef-
feet, doing some good.
This is the law Of Gods kingdom. Moth
ing done for Him, and in obedience to His
will, or for the promotion of His glory is, or
can be, in vain. 1t may seem for the
time being to be in vain-no proba-
BILE results may be in sight, and what Is said
or done may even pass into oblivion. But in
morals, as in physics nothing can be lost A
word is spoken, deed is committed, and,
whether for good or for evil, who will under
take to precisely determine either their in
fuence or their effects? Both words and
deeds dating thousands of years back in the
history of the world live fresh in tho mind
fn.do and xNtll tntta 10 ha aha had
men to the latest generation.
All! how often in the ever recurring changes
of life do relations change? So great and SO
sudden sometimes these changes that they
overtake us when least expected. To-day we
help a needy one. Who can tell whether that
needy one may not, in after years, by a law
of providential retribution, help us. Said
Solomon, Give portion 30 seven and also to
eight, for thou knowest mot what evil shall
be upon the earth" Ttekdemands upon our
charity may be many and frequent, and some-
times the feeling may be present that VIC have
exhausted our obligation. With the seven
relieved by our bounty we may think that we
may stop. But after giving to the seven we
are exhorted to give also to the eighth, not
knowing how soon the relation may be re-
verted, the helper becoming the one to bo
helped and the one helped becoming the helper.
Weknow not what evil shall be upon the earth.
We teach our children to believe that good
reproduce themselves. True, indeed, some
reverse the principle, making the changing
contingencies of life n reason for penurious
hearding for selfish qualification rather than
benevolent distribution.
would not unduly magnify this motive for
doing good, the certainty of receiving good.
The fact itself, however, is an important one
and cannot we'll be overestimated.
Kindess shown, benevolence exercised, like
bread cast upon the water, shall return. There
is no uncertainty in the matter as a matter of
fact resting upon the promise of God and at
tested by the experience of men,
Aye, those to whom our kindness is shown
may forget it, the world may be ignorant of
II, and we ourselves may attach to it little
importance. 1t is known, however, by God
is treasured up in the book Of His remem-
brance, and if not now, il shall hereafter
come again to our remembrance
And what greater satisfaction could be
coveted by any one than that which arises
from the consciousness of having in his way,
however humble, or according to his ability,
however limited, contributed to tho relief of
the poor and the needy?
have before said that to do good is the
law of the kingdom of Christ. Nor can the
truth be too deeply emphasized nor too fire.
quently insisted upon. We cannot add any
thing to the intrinsic glory of God. He is in
tlnitely perfect as He is infinitely happy. We
may, however, make manifest His glory,
and in no more effective manner than by imi-
tating him by doing good. Parents, behold
both your obligation and your privilege
With you rests the first opportunity of SOW
ing in the congenial hearts of your children
those seeds of Divine truth which, nurtured
by your care, and watered by your prayers,
and vitalized by the Holy Spirit, cannot fail
of bringing forth fruit in after years. Your
influence, as it is the earliest, promises to be
the most effective. Look upon your children
Gt inn nd tl,a haa..
upon your knees, or engaged in their plays,
as the possessors of vast pOssibilties-the
future men and women who, with sound re-
ligous principles and under careful restraint
and training,may grow up in the fear of God,
honored and useful in the church, blessed
themselves, and blessing to others
Tenderly care for their souls no less than
fer their bodies. Watch over and oalously
protect them against every unfriendly influ-
ence which threatens to corrupt their minds
and make them the easy captves TO sin.
Teach them what is right, show them what is
good, walk circumspectly before them, and
throwing around them the wholesome re-
straints OF religion you WILL at least, have
the satisfaction of being true to yourself, and
also faithful to your covenant VOWS. You
may not always realize the fact, and vet il is
fact, that children are just what their
parents make of them-bearing the moral
lineaments Of soul no less than physical
'ooohpi"hSo VI oOuys anu never DO ulScOur-
aged
BE not over hasty, however, in your con-
clusions as Sabbath school teachers Others
waited just as long for the fruit of their la
bOrs in connection with you, and think il not
strange that the same patience is needed on
your part Character is not formed in day.
IT is n growth-often n slow growth-the re.
suit of long continued effort, and the outcome
of patient waiting. Labor on. God is not
unmindful of your self denyingtoil. Be faith
iul. BE prayerful You are sowing good seed.
The seed shall yield good harvest, and when
tho reaping time comes there will be great
joy in bringing your sheaves into the granary
of the Lord
Look around for opportunities of usefulness
seek out objects upon which to eXpend your
charitable designs, and thus become like the
great Exemplar of MS all who, when on the
earth, went about doing good;who healed the
sick, fed the hungry, comforted the SORROW
ing, and taught us both by example and by
preceptthat it is more blessed TO give than to
receive. We may be able TO do but very
Little. Never mind. If we have but one tai
ent we shall not be responsible for the i'm
provement of more than we have. Do what
you cam do IL heartily, do it from love to tho
Master, and yours shall be the rich recon-
pense belonging to those who having freely
eeived freely give,
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye
steadtast unmOveablo, always abounding in
the work of the Lord inasmuch as We know
that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
TEN YEARS A PASTOR.
REV DIR. CRUMMELL's ANNIVERSARY SER
MON AT 81. LuKE's EPISCOPAL CHURCH.