The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1886-03-11
OUR EVENING SERMON !!
"And they all with one consent began
to make eXcuse."-Luke IA. IS.


human skepticism, and overcoming hu
man conceit. He found in his Journeys
of love and mercy up and down the earth
many persons who know a great dea
more than he did-for they were willing
to admit it themselves. On an occasion
referred to in the opening of the chapter
from which we have quoted, He went
into the house of one of the chief Phari
sees to eat bread on the Sabbath day, and
man appeared before him who was af-
fiicted with the dropsy. Jesus asked OF
the lawyers and Pharisees if it be lawful
to heal upon the Sabbath day. But they
all held their peace, while the Savior
healed the man and let him go. Then he
asked them which of them would refuse
to pull an animal from pit into which
it had fallen, because it was the Sabbath
day. Again, they could not answer him.
He then taught them by a parable illus
trating that humility which should be a
part of every Christian life When bid
den by friend to appear as a guest in
that friends house, let the guest take the
lowest room, that the friend, seeing him,
might exalt him, and bid him come up
higher.
This is lesson in humility which the
average dude-if we may be permitted
the use of slang term-is sadly in need
of. To the Christian, endowed with gen
tlemanly instincts, a mere suggestion is
necessary, and the humble, courteous de-
pertinent comes as naturally as the breath
of Spring, or the blush of the rose. But
there is another class. Alongside this
humble Christian gentleman, moving in
the same field, breathing the same sun
light, is what we may term the human
hog. This hog is never known to stand
back. He accepts an invitation to an en-
tertainment by friend, just as he ac-
cepts ticket to the menagerie-with a
firm belief that he has the run of the
great Pavilion, and that all within the
bounds of the walls is placed there for
his especial amusement. And, like the
boy who crawls under the canvas at the
menagerie, the hog does not always wait
for an invitation to the entertainment at
the house of his. friends. He bolts in
with the air of one who feels that the
assembled guests are awaiting his arrival
iety. In fact, they are, generally, await
ing it with great deal of impatience,
but very little anxiety. He crowds his
place to the front, to the highest room, to
the head of the table, and from that eX-
allied position looks complacently, and
often contemptuously, upon those below
him. He is proud, because he recognizes
the fact that he is at the top as regards
the assembled guests. He can get no
higher, and, although he may rejoice at
the lack of knowledge of the truth on the
part of other guests-he knows within
himself that he cannot get any lower
The human hog we have with US always,
as well as the meek Christian character,
| but the latter is greatest, always.
A certain man made great supper,
and babe many; and sent his servant at
supper time to tell the guests that all
| things were now ready, and they should
come, at once. But what was his surprise
and chagrin to learn that all were making
excuses. One had purchased some oxen,
and must go after them at once. We
have perhaps all of US seen the prototype
of this one in the modern oX-buyer, or, as
we may be pardoned for saying "oX-liar."
This man of the parable counted the
cost If he attended the banquet, he in
turn must give banquet, and the visits,
or exchange of hospitalities, would be
but meaningless formality. A society
event upon the one hand, and repaying
of hospitality upon the other.
Another invited guest had married
him wife" and of course he could not
attend. 1t is not definitely declared
whether his unwillingness was because
of the wife's not being invited, or because
he did not move in that set, or because
there was not going to be any progress
i've euchre,' or what the real cause was.
But he did not attend. We have seen
this man many times. He married a
wife, and so loved her that she engrossed
all his time. He had to keep company
with his wife during the long evenings
yet it was sort of sympathetic famil-
iarity that reached for a considerable dis
tance. as the great, incomprehensible,
strapping. falsifier spent his evenings in
company with the worst classes of men,
while the good woman remained at home
and alone.
Then the man who had prepared the
feast sent his servant out into the streets
and the highways and brought in great
multitude of guests, for he declared SOL
emnly that those who had been at first
hidden should not eat of his supper at
all. They had spurned the proffered hos
pitality, and thus placed themselves be-
yond the limit of that mans respect. But
the poor, and the wayfarers, and all who
came willingly and gladly, were filled
and made joyful.
Thus it is in the spiritual kingdom of
God. The Divine Father hath prepared
great feast of Divine Grace, a banquet
of spiritual joy. All the human family
are hidden as welcome guests. Many
avail themselves of the privilege, and
enjoy the great feast of eternal light and
life. These will have the enduring friend
ship and love of the great host who gives
the banquet. They shall be welcome
to the great feast at all times. But what
shall we say of those who, receiving the
invitation, scorn the proffered hospitality?
Shall not the host, in all reason, declare
that those who would not attend the
feast prepared fort them, shall never par
take of the Divine hospitality? May it
not be that when the great tide of human
affairs shall draw near to the brink of
eternity, and men shall be judged accord
ing to their merits, there will be many
thOughtless ones gone off in search of
oxen, or to seek wife, or upon some ex-
| cuse which will relieve them of the Obli-
cation to attend the final feast, where all
will be accorded their proper places at
the great banquet-table? Many there
will be who Will enjoy the sweets of
Divine love and glory at that feast, and