Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-04-04
my SON."
Synopsis of a Sermon by Rev. Mr.
Converse.

my SON."
Synopsis Of a Sermon by Rev. Mr.
Converse.
Prov. xxI1I:26, my son, give me thine
heart" In these words we have the
pleading Of the Heavenly Father with
each of his rational intelligent creatures
on earth. He comes, through the
workings of conscience, the words Of
Scripture, the dispensations of Provi'
dence, claiming the surrender of his
children to himself. The demand he
makes is most reasonable; zone can re-
gard it as extortionate or ill advised.
He is the Creator, and we are his
creatures. He has all the claim that
comes from his being the source of all
our faculties and powers of body and
soul. His claim is strengthened by the
loving care which, as the Heavenly
Father, he is constantly exercising over
his children-providing for all of their
necessities, and browning them with
numberless blessings. But his highest
claim is that based on redemption-the
bloody sweat of Gethsemane and the
agony Of Calvary constitute a claim that
only a heart Of stone can resist.
Since God is our Heavenly Father
nothing.less that the surrender OF our
hearts can satisfy him. No parent
would be pleased with his child unless
he had its affection, for no possible sub
stitute can supply its place-there is an
aching void that only the child's love
can fill. When we study the nature of
mans heart we see plainly why God
values it so. 1t has no native beauty,
no excellence of its own. But it is a
garden where the choicest flowers may
grow; a mirror whence divine excel
lences may be reflected, and a fountain
whence flows the life current of words,
deeds and thoughts. There are depths
in his soul where God can dwell, for
man has an eye that can rise to heaven
in faith, and a knee that can bow in
alteration. And the crown ofhis soul is
that it is never dying; eternity can work
wonders in its development that human
language is too feeble to express.
God seeks our hearts to bless them.
He is the skillful physician healing the
patient of his fatal malady, binding up
his sores and wounds, and b~estowing
the highest vigor and strength. Again
the heart is a vineyard to be carefully
watered and cultivated; q jewel to be set
in a respondent setting-even the
glories of the eternal city.
The demand comes in the tones OF
gentlest affection. Man is addressed
not as a rebel or reprobate, but my
son." His wickedness and hardheart-
edness ere passed by in silence, while
the fatherly accents ring in our ears as
the echo of heavenly love.
How is the demand met by men?
Few refuse outright. Very few deliber-
ately determine to turn altogether
away from God and have nothing to do
with him. Tomorrow" or "some
more convenient season." is the most
deadly c that Satan urges upon
them. But, alasl the multitude never
find the convenient season." Again,
if we were to judge men by their actions
instead of words we could easily mag
inc great numbers saying, "Here, Lord,
is a substitute for my heart" Some
offer a gentlemanly or ladylike life, free
from actual crime or gross sin. Others
point to their benevolence and deeds of
charity. Others again propose to give
three-fourths or nine-tenths of a heart,
reserving the other fraction for their
own selfish enjoyment. There is some
darling sin they are unwilling to sur
render, some unlawful occupation they
won't forsake. And thus on one plea
or another Gods demand is rejected till
the day Of grace fades away in the night
| of doom.
The true response is on Bonded knee
to exclaim, "Lord, I give myself to thee
Take me, keep me, purify me, make
me strong in thy service, and fit me to
enjoy thy presence forever, through
| Christ Jesus my Redeemer."