Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-05-21
wHITsUNDAY.
Rev. DR.. Birdsatl's sermon at st
Paul,s church.

y
appropriately observed at the churches
Rev. DR.. Birdsall at St. PauPs Episcopa
church, took for his subject st. John XIV
26:
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy
Ghost, whom the Father will send in my
| name. he shall teach you all things and
shall bring all things to your remem-
brance whatsoever have said unto you. /"
He said: We celebrate to-day the fulfil
ment OF this promise. We hear it in the
sound as OF a rushing mighty wind, that
filed all the house where they were as
sembled. We see it in the tongues OF
fire that rested upon the head of each.
We feel it in the change that has come
over the once timid trembling disciples,
as they now speak boldly in the name Of
Jesus, and in .ne day add three thou
sand souls to the new born Church. 1t is
shown in temper and spirit that animates
the mul itude OF the disciples; in the
love that binds them together, and one
heart and one mind that unites them.
The Holy Ghost was not then first re-
yealed. He moved on the face OF the
deep at creation. He spoke by the
prophets. He was the immediate agent
by whom the Eternal Word made him
self body Of the Virgin Mary. Christ
Jesus was without measure filed by the
Spirit. He wrought his miracles by the
Spirit of God. But when 'the full
ness CT time" had come and
Jesus had accomplished his work on
earth and gone back again TO his native
glory, the Holy Spirit was completely to
fill his place; take up Christ's work
where he had left it, carry it on, deepen,
intensity and complete it. But as our
Lord did nothing while on the earth
without the aid and assistance OF the
Spirit; so the Holy Spirit does nothing
here now without the cooperation OF
Christ. "He shall take of mine and
show 1t unto you.' "He shall not
speak OF himself, but whatsoever he
shall hear that shall he speak.
Christ ceases to be an external visible
teacher only to come through the Spirit
as an invisible present influence and
power. 1t was the work of Christ and
the teaching of Christ, before his de-
parture to glory that we're to be the sum
and substance OF what the Holy spirit
was to deal with. It was not new truths
and undiscovered facts, but the truths
and facts revealed and done by Christ
once for all that contain in them
the whole council OF God. The
first teachers and apostles had heard
these words of Christ had seen these
deeds. The Holy Spirit dealt with
things of their past experience. He re-
freshed their minds and poured more
light into their souls. They now first
saw the full meaning and purport OF all
the past. Christ was more to them than
he had ever been when he walked by
their side and talked to them face to
face. The committal of the word to
writing was because they had in view
their approaching death. They en-
deavored that their disciples
might latter their deceass have
these things always in remem-
orance." The same spirit who had thus
taught them all things and brought all
things to their remembrance did not for
sake them when they provided for the
coming ages. They committed these
writings to the keeping Of the Church
with which Christ was to be until the
end Of the world. Each evangelist has
written in his own way and given the
facts that most impressed him, and
having all things brought to
their remembrances, who know
that they were not honest
witnesses but infallible guides, and the
province OF the spirit is his perpetual
presence. Now, as then, he uses the
same means. The appointed agencies
are the instruments he wields and the
materials with which he works, are as
OF old, the facts and truths and words
of Christ. Just as they become prom
inent in our minds and hearts, and we
t1.o. Co. a. rf fhar r,r.ranf
that exercise our faith and love
and hope, Christ's province is full.
filled in us. For it is Christ
brought home to the heart and con-
science that evidences the Spirits work.
The rea, meaning of every word and work
OF Christ is as eternal and unalterable as
the nature of God. To get its lesson into
our hearts 10 store it up in our memories
gives permanent possession. His cure
OF the lame, the halt, and the blind show
compassion that fails not. His word
| to the woman who was sinner, Thy
sins be forgiven thee" were not spoken
for her only, but for every one that
reads them. Higher privileges impose
greater obligations. While the Holy
Spirit is the author and giver OF evers
thing we need, comfort in trouble,
| StreDgtil III NGakltSS, VI III DliC WIZ; tiic
very life oil God begun in the soul OF man
let us remember that ii is not Of himself
but Christ whom he reveals. 1t is
Christ's word and work he deals with
and makes effective in our hearts. II
then we would have more and more OF
| the life divine, We will strive by faith
and prayer and obedience to enter
into the real meaning and purport
of every word and work and ordinance o.
Christ. Not to merit, mott desert, not tc
worthiness, but to obedience is the spirit
promised. Not upon such faith as the
spirit has already given; venture wholly
upon his word, and Christ as apresen
reality and a present power shall make
his promise good here, and hereafter.
In the evening the children took par
in the services, which were very inter
esting.
SELF DENIAL.
| ~.