Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-12-31
A NEW YEAR TEXT.
Rev. Mr.. Marquis Greeting to His
Congregation.


An Interesting and Thouyhfful Dis.
course at the Broadway Church
Yesterday Morning.--The Divine
Promise.
For his theme at the Broadway
Presbyterian church yesterday morn
ing, Rev. W. s. Marquis took, "a Text
for the New Year" I'VE wish YOU
Happy New Year, said Mr.. Marquis,
land we beg the privilege of entering
your homes and leaving with you some
thing which will help to realize this wish
1t is this divine PROMISE"
For l, the Lord thy God, will hold thy right
nand, saying unto thee, fear not will he D
thee."-is. Kills.
Human wishes are feeble things, but
the promises of God are bedrock. Here
is one that will give us happy year
whatever may come. 1t is a staff on
which you may lean without fear of its
breaking; rock upon which you NAV
stand and gaze with composure on any
storm; well of salvation from which you
may daily draw the water of life. Hence
l suggest that we adopt it as our year
text.
How much we all neei what is here
promised
We cannot shape our way
Nhere nameless parils may betide,
yer slippery paths whereon our feet may slide.
Some mighty hand we crave,
To hold. and help, and save.
And guide us ever when our steps would stray
One backward glance is enough 10
make us realize this need, if we do not
already. There were lion. like enemies in
the way, and serpents in ambush; hours
of sorrow, and shattered hopes; failures
wrecked resolutions, and dishonored
vows; burdens greater than We could
bear, and problems we could not solve.
Did We not need and crave, Some
mighty hand to hold, and help, and
saver" 1t will be the same in 1889. For
just such experiences. shot with few
bright threads, make up the fabric we
call life. Here we are promised Just
what We need-help from One whom
We know
Can all our hourly, endless cravings meet;
Can shield from harm, recall onr wandering feet
our Coz, His hand can feed,
And day by Jay can lead
Where the sweet streams Ct peace and safety
hown
How near this promise brings the
Heavenly Fatherl
1t means that the same mighty arm
xr hjoh cruip he -,
will defend you, guide you, and help
you over the hard places. 1t means
that the wisdom which knows the end
from the beginning will lead you in the
right path and confer the blessings that
will be best for you 1t means that the
Heavenly Fathers love shall food your
life like sunshine and Fl Il 1t with songs of
joy. 1t means that He who owns the
silver and the gold will not let you
want for any good thing. 1t means
Friend ever near to whom you can carry
ell your cares and receive the best of
counsel and comfort Il means an 10.
structOr from whom you can learn the
deep meaning of spiritual things. It
means, in short, everything you need for
the life and work God hath appointed
you.
This text is veritable Aladin's lamp
Rub it up in your memories whenever
you are in need of it and it will at once
reveal your Mighty Helper at your side
No wonder that Paul wrote to the Phil
ippians. But my God shall supply all
your needs according to his riches in
glory by Christ Jesus"
Now the fruits of such daily, child
like walking with God are just what we
need to make this happy year. There
is first of all the restful sense of security.
Well may God say, Fear not" when he
also says, Il will help thee At what
need we tremble with such a Defender
nears There is unspeskable comfort in
Mn sssee e,, Of safety wha!eyer GENES;
and the nights from tossing Ike letting
the Heavenly Father hold the right hand
Hence peace and contentment are also
fruits of walking with God, for the soul
saws, Though lwslk in the midst of
trouble, Thou will revive me; thou shalt
stretch fourth thine hand against the
wrath OF mine enemies, and thy right
hand shall save me-" 1t must also mean
hOlier lite.
Nearness to God prevents many a temp
tation from approaching. But this is not
all. Fellowship with the Father and the
Son fills the life with holy aspiration.
He who walks with Jesus will find the
desire growing in his heart to he like
Jesus. This is the great object God has
in view IN reaching down hand to u.s.
He wants to encourage us TO live nobler
lives, year by year, so he says, Walk
with me; let me hold thy hand, fear not
| will help thee" And do we not also
well know that year of such close walk
ing with God, and such growth in chris
tian character, will greatly increase ones
power for good2 There can hardly be
doubt but that it would be the means of
saving souls. Men are attracted by ex-
cellence in anything. The flower of
most perfect development receives their
attention. The christianity that is most
Christelihe is most winning.
Here then you see We have everything
necessary to make this a happy year
This text is veritsbe cornucopis, in the
MAUI uot VI uChle lUTtune, Dut OF Inc
father from whom cometh every good
and perfect gift. Do you wonder that
We suggest it for year texts
o. blessed promise to pilgrims given .
To youth. to manhood. and to old age ,
to inexperience, insufflciency, and in
trinity; TO the tempted, and the dis
couraged and the sorrowing. We ac>
cept it, Father. With joyful. grateful.
child like faith and eagerness, we would
reach up our hands that thou mayest lay
hold upon them with Thine Almighty
hand.
I'VE need Thy presence. Lord,
Throughout the passing year;
Our woes and wants are real
Be Thou more real and near
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