Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1884-04-22
Tuesday, April "a. 1884.
IAN Hour with spurgeon.

A New Haven Listener to the Great EN-
glIsh Divine Gives Abstract From
Sturgeon.
The Rev. Mr.. Meserye gave recently at
Davenport church an abstract of a sermon
which he heard Mr.. Spurgeon preach in his
own church in London in August. 1885, AZ
ter brief description of the tabernacle, the
immense congregation, the service in general
and Mr.. Spurgeon in particular. Mr.. Meserve
announced the great preachers text, Song
of Solomon, 2, 10 and 10, and gave the
heads Of discourse just as they appeared in.
the sermon itself when he heard it, substanO
TALLY as follows: Tender grapes is my
text and young Christians, with the proper
treatment of them by older Christians, is my
theme. Young Christians are the tender
grapes. They are tender because of their
new and keen sorrow for sin. Their hearts
are deeply touched and their consciences are
very quick. Temptation for time does not
seem to have any power over them, they
hate sin in all it's forms SO intensely. Dur
ing this experience they may easily acquire
the best of habits OF mind and practice, and
need to be encouraged thereto by older
Christians. Do not hold aloof from
them, but mingls with and help them.
Again they are tender as to their faith. It
is new and strong. The truths of Ohristiani-
ty are very clear and delightful The sug-
gestion of doubt is very painful to them.
Veterans who have met doubts and fears and
conquered them need to stand by the un-
tried new Christians in the time when their
fresh faith suffers its first aGtaek. It may
be an infidel, or it may be q sorrow, or some
thing else; but it will be painful and danger
r,s1c 10 G-Ck Oft vzho
comes. And they are tender as to their zeal
1t is usually very great; but they are not al
ways wise in the exercise Of it. Older Chris
tians sometimes forget that wisdom is some
times natural gift, but is oftsner the result
of experience. They should teach and assist
and guide the young zealots 1t is by such
eager souls that heroic things are done, and
there is always great need of them in the
world.
One other element of this tenderness is the
Joy of the young Christian. He rides the
crest of the wave apparently without think
ing he can ever go down into the trough of
the sea. He does not dream of any reaction
possible until it is upon him without warn
ing. Many young converts are led to think
they were mistaken about their religious ex-
perience, when this reaction sets in and
more experienced persons sometimes think
the same thing, and SO these young people
go back again to the old way and are lost to
the church and to religion. This time of
reaction from the excess of joy is just the
time to stand by them. If tided over it they
are likely to reach a condition of clear
Outstanding and settled peace, and therefore
of great usefulness
Mr. Spurgeon then spoke of the s'little
foxes" in the 18th verse of the same chapter.
He said that for his purpose it was conven-
lent to speak of criticism and dattery as such
little foxes. He said: Give young Chris
tians time to learn and become prudent, in
stead of criticising them fer lacking knowl
edge and being over enthusiastic And don't
go to the other extreme of injadicious praise
70 be unduly puffed up is as bad as to be
unduly depressed. Mix your praise and ad-
monition with wisdom, and suit them to the
persons you are dealing with as carefully as
possible. Father and mother the young
| people in the church Just as you do your
children at home, and so train for the service
| to which they are called.
''And the vines with the tender grape give
| good smell" This ''good SMELL" said Mr..
| Spurgson, is, first of all, the Lords opinion
| of them. Christ is pleased when young
people forsake sin and the world, and devote
/ their liveE to his service. Their tenderness
| about sin, their quick faith, their burning
zeal, and their keen joyfulness are well pleas
! ing to him.. His eye rests on them lovingly,
| and their service ID a sweet smelling saviour
| before him. The church should remember
| this, and for his sake be kind and thought
| full to his ''little ones" The sweet smell is
also the effect of young and warm blood in
| the church. Such church has a fragrance
| about it like that of a rose that has just burst
| into full bloom. There il no sweetness just
like it, none that surpasses it. Christians
| who have been long time
in the kingdom should take pains to cultivate
the uBe that is SO fragrant, never to crush or
injure it. If they do SO cultivate it they are
| insuring great efficiency to the church in all
! the sweeter graces as well as in the sturdy
virtues of the Christian life.
Mr.. Messrve did not pretend to repeat
| Mr.. Surgeons words, only his IDEAS He
supplemented the foregoing abstract with
description of the preachers appearance, his
immense hold upon his audience and the in
describable charm of his sincerity, earnest
| ness and simplicity.
DesIrucItVs Woman.
The Bridgeport Farmer of yesterday says: