The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-05-12

VlCteu VI slH rs muCH as uUregeueTaL6
sinners. Many of the most pungent
calls to repentance in the New Tesla
ment are addressed to the members of
those early churches. Peter was under
heart-rending conviction of most odious
sin when he went out of Pilates court
yard weeping bitterly. That started
the spices; for true contrition has the
SAVIOR of sweet smell in Gods estima-
ton. Many years ago powerful awake
ming occurred in one of our theological
seminaries. The ''north wind' of the
Holy Spirits power smote SO nightly,
that some Of the students abandoned
their hopes, threw away all their pre-
viOus impressions as shallow and I'M
satisfactory, and experienced a deep,
thorough re-conversion, that went
down TO the roots of character. One
of the best evidences of the power of a
revival, is that it brings delinquent
church members to repentance. The
same strong gale that uproots false
professors, sets the spices of penitence
flowing from those who had grown in
dolent or worldly minded. Awake, o
North wind, and blow upon our
churches
God has many methods Of developing
the graces of his children. Discipline
is one Of them. They tell US that the
juniper-plant emits the sweetest odor
when it is flung into the fire. We all
know that bruised flowers yield the
most fragrance. have had some str:k-
ing exhibitions lately-among my own
fiock-of the influence Of severe trials
in bringing out the richest and noblest
traits of Christian character. A lovely
young woman has preached to me far
more eloquently from her dying pillow
than had ever preached to her from
the pulpit. Another one, under pecun-
larry adversities, has been like shaken
cinnamon tree her cheerful fortitude
has proved that nothing can impover-
ish soul that is enriched with the un-
searchable riches of Christ. Bereave-
ment has sent its bitter blast into some
of our families; yet the odors of riven
hearts have been sweet with the spirit
Of submission. Almost every believers
experience contains the record of severe
trials which were sent in order to shake
the spice-trees.
"who bears Gloss prays oft and well;
Bruised herbs send forth the sweetest smell
Were plants neer tossed by stormy wind
The fragrant spices who would find ?"
The inspired poet Of the Canticles also
prays for the 'South wind to come
upon my garden" Not only the keen
North wind that may bring us to re-
pentance, and the sharp blasts of ad-
versity to test and develop our faith !;
but God is asked to send the warm
South wind Of love to melt US into
gratitude and praise. A great bless
ing sent upon a church, or upon a
Christian, often makes the hearts thus
blessed to become like bank Of VIC
let's under May shower. Do we not
need to have more of the felt presence of
Jesus in our souls, and more of the
warm b1eaNkA his love to set all our
affections growing and glowing and
breathing out holy joy? However
softly the South wind may blow upon
the lavender bushes, it is from the
bushes themselves that the fragrance
must be diffused. Gods mercies come
alike to saint and sinner. The balm
lest of zephyrs cannot draw sweet odors
from pig weed or a thistle. Dead
trees yield no fragrance. 1t is from a
Jealous, earnest discriminating life
that the sweet attractive influences
flow forth; but you and must do the
living. Dorcas made her life fragrant
in Joppa; Duff made his life fragrant
in India and the rich odors that flowed
forth from the heroic career and beau
tiful writings of the late George Bowen
of Bombay, have been waited over sea
into all lands. Such disciples are al
ways Astounding in the work of the
Lord.
Let each one Of US strive to make
our hearts to be garden of God by
careful cultivation. AS Jacob carried
the odor of the vineyard and the grain
field in his garments, so let us carry the
spirit of Christ in our whole character
and daily conduct. Then we can pray
for God to send either North wind or
South wind as pleaseth him best
which ever may come, our lives will
have the smell of a field that the Lord
hath blessed. Evangelist.
The central trath of revelation is,