Omaha daily bee., 1885-10-12

by his intellectual genius and his com
prehcnsive mind and earnest effort
The success Of christianity is not dc.
pendent upon any one man or body of
men, even ii they have taken active
part IN the great movements that have
brought about a marvellous civilization
God has not given the whole control of
his kingdom to popcs, bishops and clergy
of any denomination He yet controls,
although he uses instrumentaltics
Whenever He has desired to accom-
plish any great work, as in great cmer-
gencics, He has raised up men from an
unexpected source to the particular
work to bring about the desired
end
Abraham was one whom He chose in
the early dispensation for Il special work
He was an idolater. His people were not
worshipcrs of the true God. And yet
the Eternal One called him from heath
cnism into His service and made u GOV.
enant with him that He would give TO him
and his children wonderful land, and
that his children would become a mighty
people. He was to be the father of the
wonderful family, from whom in after
time the Messiah would come.
We have no reason then to ever feel
that we are of great Importance to the
world even to the church of God. Thank
full we ought TO he if He is willing to use
us as instruments in His hands Tor the
good of our fellow men.
wish YOU to notice, also, the mystic
rious dealings of God with Abraham
the many years he had to wait for the
promised child And yet he was willing
to wait upon God His faith was often
tried as the years rolled by. Ncvcrthe-
less, he believed that God would fulfill
the promise. We also have had our faith
tried by waiting for the promised bless
ing in answer to our prayers.
After the child was given and he had
grown to manhood, there came the next
trial, offering the promised child upon
the altar. No reason was given for this
strange command, but Abraham obeycd,
and the son was placed upon the altar
hard rs it was for II father to do such an
act; but God had spoken and he must
obey.
We have been called upon to pass
through some strange experiences in
life, and no reason was given. "A child
was taken from our loving embrace, II
father or mother or companion. For
tunes that have been made by toll and
sacrifice, suddenly taken from us, and no
reason given. We perhaps will not be
able to know the why of it in this life,
but in another we shall know.
The question why" Abraham no
doubt asked. He perhaps found out the
reason. First, to give him an opportuni
~ to prove God. Second, to try his faith
Third, to bring his will into complete
harmony with the Will OF God. No doubt
but that this is the "why" of our expert
encc.
But lastly, notice that obedienCe
on Abraham s part brought, di-
vine approval, and it will bring
the same to us II we out obey
NOTES,
Rev. }. w. Harsho delivered ne fourth
of his series of lectures on Common
Sense i'll Religion, ut the Dodge street
Presbyterian. church last night. His
topic was "Mystcry." The object OF his
lecture was to show that people believe
many things, which are far more mys-
terious than the teachings OF the Bible.
Arguing from this he went on to show
that the tenets OF the Gospel faith are
worthy, of acceptatiion by all
In Unity church yesterday morning
the services, were devoted to harvest
festival. The church was appropriately
decorated, and Il choral service specially
written for the. occasion was rendered.
In the evening, in addition to the choral
service, solos were sung by Miss Lorene
Gibson, Miss Patterson and Mr.. Riggs,