Morning journal and courier., 1888-03-31
UNITED SERVICES.

A Large Congregation Hear an EIO-
quent Sermon at the North Church
by Rev. DR.. MHnger-He Tells OF
Cbrist's SuaerIngs ON the Cross and
\ Draws Conclusions.
The Dwight Place, Center, United, Church
| of the Redeemer and College street churches
held united Fast day services at the United
church yesterday morning at II o'clock
l Rev. DR.. Munger, pastor of the United
I church, presided, assisted by Rev. DR.. Smyth
of Center church, Rev. DR.. Twitchell OF
Dwight Place church and Rev. Mr.. McLant
of the College street church. The church was
comfortably filled.
The sermon was delivered by Rev. DR..
Munger. 1t was an eloquent discourse. He
spoke of Christs sufferings while on the
cross.
Certain numbers have certain combina-
ton, and SO 1t came about that they had q
special meaning, which was sacred one.
These numbers awaken at least moral idea.
Take the number seven. 1t occupies a sacred
place in the scriptures because it stands for
perfection. Many things in the Bible have
been done and said seven times. Jacob saw
himself before Esau seven times. There are
seven days in the week, the seventh of which
is the Lords. In st. John there are seven
angels, seven stars, etc. 1t has come to be a
number of sacredness.
Christ spoke seven times while on the cross.
He lived three hours and made seven utter
ances. He restrained these utterances of
truths until he got to the cross. 1t was o
period of deep silence to Christ before he was
on the cross. When his hour had come there
were no weak words from behind him. With
q silent path which he had traversed and left
behind he opened his mouth on the cross and
r1ff he ia
full of the realism of God.
With all who live devout and pure life
there will afterward come saoredness to all
as 1t did to Christ on the Gross.
The silence of Christ did not mean that he
was dumb spiritually, but it was the silence
of reality. Seven times he came back to him
self and the world to make utterances. When
he was prosecuted he said: "Father, forgive
them, for they know not what they do"
It is left for us to1earn of God, and to get
at his joy in his way, in an obedience that
secures likeness of us to him. Christ did
not forget the principles of the heavenly
kingdom even on the cross. He only is
saved It is a heaven secured through him.
While this tragedy was going on people press
close around, and amongst the crowd is the
apostle John and Mary. She has brought in
to the world the hope of Israel, and he is on
the cross before her. AS she sees her son on
the cross her hopes are gone. In agony she
lOOkS db A4u4 Ou0 uOoS HUI CeIA A1uA hAno
she is the mother of the world. This is left
for the spirit to reveal
Christ did not know of his relation, but he
presupposed it. He trusted in love. Love
endured is an eternal thing in its nature.
The death of Christ would cast shadow on
her future years. He relapses in his thoughts
as he hangs on the Cross. He cries: "My
Godi My Godi why hast thou forsaken me-"
There has been many conceptions of the
foregoing cry. Many can be set aside as
blasphenneus and many of them utterly I'M
truthful. They should cause blush on the
cheeks of every man. Their meanings are no
less blasphemous than false.
This experience on the cross was purely
natural one Christ was under natural con-
ditions. His victory was the victory of pain,
which he overcams by prayer and holding on
to the father and refusing to allow separa-
ton. There were moments when his spirits
rose to high pitch. Then they fell. His
heart faltersd and he saw joy going into an
abyss before him. AS he sees this abyss
opened he utters the cry. His cry is safety.
Christ did not believe God had ferssken him.
Do we not all have hours when all meaning