The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-01-24
TABERNACLE SERMON.
Or. Talmage to the Women OF
America.
BROKEN PROMISES OF MARRIAGE. ="

the Women Of America, with Important Hints
to Men" His subicc wss; "Hrokan Promises
of Marriage, 'and his test from Judge XII, IS :
az have opened my mo:th unto the Lord, and
cannot 20 back" He said
General Jephthah, Tic commander-iu-chlef
Of the ieraeltish forces, is buckiin2 On the
sword for the determination Of the pestlferous
Ammonites and looking up TO the Sky he
promises tl,at if God viii give him the victory,
he VIII put TO death and sacrifice as a burnt
offering Tie first thing tlat comes out FROM The
door Of his homestead when he goes back.
The hurrahiug Of triumph soon runs along the
line OF all the companies, regiments and
divisions Of Jepthals army. A worse
beaten enemy than those Ammonites never
strewcd any plain with their carcas-es. Cen
eral Jophthab, fresh from his victory, Is now
on his way home. As lie comes over the hills
and through the valleys the whole march
homewafd for his men Is cheer, but for him
n great anxiety, for he remembers his vow to
say and burn tho first tl.iug that comes forth
from his house to Clect him after his victory
Perhaps It may lie the old watch dog that
hall irt como out. and who could get heart
o bea ont the life Of faithful creature like
that as lac comes farn!ng and barking and
frlsknR and putting mp his paw against his
master ~ merry welcome after long absence?
No; il vas not that which came forth TO meet
Jepittah Perhaps 4 may be % Young deAe let
BNf from itS ttEE 44i AH ittlsfl 3 tt I3ttiiI
gaining les liberty, may sMAm % rejoice
in The public elaGucss and g on the shout
der OF the familiar head Of the household But
who could have the heart to Stay such wing
ed innocent? No Il was not that which calno
forth 70 meet Jeph'hab. Or it may be some
good neghbor that viii rush out 60 greet him
after having FIST been IA 70 tell the family Of
the near approach Of tho general. But who
could eiay ueighbor who had como on the
scene orojoiee over the reunited household?
No ID was not that which came forth to meet
Jephlhah.
As 10 advances upon his home the door
opens and out Of it comes one whose appear
nnce under ethef circumstances would have
boon al Hdescribable joy, but underth pledge
of a sacrifice becomes a horror which hanehes
Ills cheek aud paralyzoe his form aud almost
hurls hiln fiat 10 the earth Ills only
child, his daughter comes skip
ping cut to greet him, her
step Keeping time to timbrel which she
shak and smtcs. Did ever conqucrors
cheer end in such bitter groan? No wonder
DoGe, in two Of his masterpieces, presents the
scene. and handel made it the last and eli
macteric work OF his life 10 put this pathetic
and oyerpowcring circumstance in an oratorio,
Seven months toiling amid its majestic har-
monies until his eyesight gave out, and, MS
though the sad scene Of Jerhthah's daughters
sacrifice were too much for mortal vision, tho
grand old musician was led blind into the
orchestra for the irstrendcFing OF Iephtlah.
All the gjories Of victorious war are botted
out from )ephthah s memory, and his banner
is folded IN grief, and his sword goes back into
the scabbard with dolorous clang. and tho
muiiied drum takes the place of tho
cymbas, and the "uemolo" the
place Of the trumpet and he cries
out: i" Alas, my daughter, thou hast brought
lne very low and thou ant one of them that
trouble me; for haze opened my mouth to
tho Lord, and cannot gohack." During two
months amid the mountains without shelter
the naidens who would have been at her
wedding ranged with Jtphthah's daughter mp
and down, bewailliug lcf coming sacrifice.
Commentators and tbeologans are in dis
puto as to whether that girl was slain or not,
md as 20 whether IT size were Stain IL was
night or wrong IN Jephthah 10 be the eXeou-
toner a discussion into which ! shall not be
diverted from the commissioning consideration
TINT We had better looh ont what we promise,
better ba cautious what engagement wo
make, better that III regard to all matters OF
betrothal and pghttd view we feel the re-
bEonaibIity, lest we have citherto sacrifice the
truth or sacrifice AN immortal being, and we
be led 10 cry ont with the pafoXysm OF n
JephtEah have opened my mouth unto
The Lord, and cannot 20 back.
Ia ty0v a Ia all oil ttoi tfgo Y,A