The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-05-30
MEMORIAL SERMON.
8Y REV. JOHN HAW


john Ky. xiii.
There are some people who are DIS
posed TO look lightly upon that won
derful and mysterious passion Of the
soul called love. They regard it as Of
but little worth, its exercise as child
ish and ignoble. But such persons
are not among the best and noblest
specimens of mankind. They are eth
er among those who have destroyed
this passion, or in whom it never had
an existence and therefore are imper-
feet, abnormal specimens Of the race,
whose Judgment in the matter is not
to be trusted.
Love is the diyinest Of the Divine
attributes. The hottest name by which
God, in the scriptures is called is love.
Perhaps in no other title given to the
Supreme being is his heart and mind
more fully revealed than in this one,
in the breadth, fuIlness and richness Of
its meaning it IS 4 name above every
name. That quality in God which
exalts him above all other Gods, that
i the glory Of his character, is not to
be despiscd in man.
God not only is love, but he IS its
Its author In him loye first had its
existence. He IS its source, the foun-
tain head from which all love, wherev-
er it is found in the wide universe,
springs. When found in his creatures
it may not equal his in strength and
quantity but its nature and quality is
the same \ ray Of light struggling
into your room at break Of day Is not
the bright noon day glory, but it is
Of the same nature A child standing
on the shore Of the ocean, watching
the foam crest waves As they came
rolling il and breaking IN crysta
sprays ut its feet, may catch a pearly
drop in she'll; that drop IS not the
ocean but it is Of the same nature ano
quality; it differs only in quantity. So
the love which actuates the creatures
Of God, that bIesses our lives anC
cheers our homes, or thrills the hear
of an angel near the throne of God, j.
all the same, ii IS but Il spark from
the flame that dwelIs in the bosom o
God, a drop from the shoreIess, fa
thomless ocean Of Gods love.
Men never act more godike than
when acting under the influence o
this passion. They live the grandes
and noblest who love most. "IIe tina
dweIleth in leye dwells in God, anC
God in him" is the declaration 0
Scripture 1t IS love that swceteus ou
toll, lightens our burdens, dispels ou
cares, soothes our sorrows, cheers on
lives and brightens our homes. They
who would destroy it would blot on
the brightest, hottest thing in the world
turn men into devils and earth int
hell
Let me call your attention, tonight
to one of the characteristics of Low,
suggested in the text, namely It's gen
erous self-sacriieing nature, 1t is no
content to remain inactive, to shut it
self in from the rest Of the world ans
exist for itself. 1t cannot be kept a
home 1t seeks TO 20 abroad. Eik,
light it is constantly travelling amC
giving Of itself, dealing out with lib
eral hand whatever good it may pos
sess. 1t receives its richest JOY in i'm
parting JOY, its sweetest pleasure il
giving pleasure, its greatest reward il
rewarding. Into whatever heart it en-,
tiers, is influence Is the same, begct-
ting the same generous principals
driving out, to the extent Of its power
littleness, bisotry and selfshne,s. II
tends 10 enlarge a mans heart, broad.
en- his sympathies, widen his mercy
and temper hi, justice
Intends to lead a man out Of himself
10 think and act for others: to cult
waite in him the good Samaritan spir
it, that will not, like the naughty lie
vite, or bigoted priest pass by tn,
needy and suffering Of earth, bat %
TO them and, with gentle hand, binC
up their wounds and minister to theii
necessities; 10 feed the hungry anC
cloth the naked; 10 visit the sick anJ
those in prison; 10 rescue the perish
ing, care for the dying, and lift up tn,
fallen. To love are we indebted fol
all the acts Of kindness and beneyo
lence that have graced the lives o
men and blessed the world.
The numerous institutions Of charity
that have sprung up, all over tht
world to alleviate the sorrow and sui
fering Of garth; the great benevoleu
agencies, Tor the spread Of the gospe
and saving Of the race are the out
growth Of love in the human heart.
On 4 vessel in the port at New
York IS Young lady, naturally tim
ID and trail, By her side Is her mother
and father, near relatives and dear
friends, she IS bidding them tcarfu
farweII. She i about 10 leave them
and home and all that is near auG