Democratic messenger., 1888-09-22
Chain Of Inluepssss.
DIR. TALMAGE's sEhMON AT TIL
BROOKLYN TkBERNAcLE.
As the Twig Is NJ 10 the Tree Inciinss-
Early Example, sor Evil or for Good
Often Decide the Career Of .
Msn--slavcry From which
Christ Can Free.

BRooKLyy, N. T., Sep. 10.-To.day wa
sacramental day at the Tabernacle, ant
the more than 1000 communicate mem
bcrs were joined by thousands from al
parts ofthis country and from other land
in the sacred commemoration. The Rev
T. Dewitt Talmage, d. D., preached from
Ezekiel vii, 23: "Makc chain !" lie said
Al school and In college In announcing
the mechanical powers we glorified ,h'
lever, the pulley, the inclined planef fsis
screw, the axle and the wheel. but
text calls us TO study the philosophy o
the chain. These links Of metal, one will
another, attracted the old Bible authors
and we hear the chain rattle and see II.
coil all the way through from Genesis I,
Revelations, flashing us an adornment
or restraining as In captivity. or holding
in conjunction rs in case of machinery
To do him honor. Pharaoh hung chair
of gold about the neck of Joseph, ant
Bclshazzar one about the neck Of Daniel
The high priest had on his breast. plat,
two chains of gold. On the camels' nccks
as the Ishmaclitcs drove up to Gideon
jinglcd chains OF gold.
The Bible refers to the Church rs hav
ing such glittering adornments. saying
THY neck is comcly with chains Of gold.
On the other hand. chain means captivi
iy. David the psalmist, exul,s that pow
er had been given over his enemies. "ts
bind their kings with chains" The ol,
missionary apostles cried out For III,
hope of Israel. am bound with thi,
chain" In the prison where Pete
is incarceraied you hear one day grca
crash ut the falling off Of his chains. ~
John saw an angel come down from
Heaven to mannaclc the powers of dark
ness, and having "a great chain in hi
hand." and the fallen angels are represent
ell MS reserved IN everlasting chains,
while In my text for the arrest and limita
iion Of the iniquiiy of his time Ezckic
thunders out Make chain -
STRENGTH or CONSECUTIVE FORCES.
What wish In impress upon myscl
and upon you Is The strength in right an,
wrong directions Of consecutive forces
the superior power ola chain OF influence
above one influence. the great advaniag,
of congcrics of links above one link
and in all family government and in al
ciror, 10 rescue others and in all aitrmp
to stop iniqui,y iakthhc sucgcsiit of M,
text and make a chain
That which contains the greatest i'm
pOrtancc, that which cncloscs the mos
tremendous opportunities, that which %
earthly things is most watched by otlic
worlds. that which has beating against III
two sides all the cternitics, is the cradle
The grave is nothing In importance com
pared with II. for that is only a gully ,ha
we step across in second, but the cradl,
has within il n new eternity. just born an,
HtNct "CNurcs W hCH tutCc VI iuuT Ntut
ago the Ohio river ovcrilowcd its ha-r
and the wild freshcis swept down will
them harvests aud cities, one day wa
found floating on the bosom Of the water
n cradle with child in il all nnhuri, wrap
ped up snug and warm and its blue eye
looking into the blue Of the open heavens
II was mentioned as something extraordi
nary. But every cradle is. with its young
passenger, floating on the swift currcn
Of the centuries. deep calling 10 deep
Oh'os and 81. I.nwrenccs and Mississippi
of influence bearing Il onward. Nov
what shall hc done with this new life re-
Gently launched Teach him mn cvcnin.
prayer: That is important. hut no
enough Hear him as soon aS he can re
cite some Gospel hymn or catcchism
That Is important, hut not enough. Ever,
Sabbath afternoon read him a Bible story
That is important, hut not enough. One
In while lesson. once In while prayer
these are important, but not enough
Each one Of these influences Is only link
and il will not hold him in the ircmcndou
emergencies of life. Let II bc consian
instruction, constant prayer, constant an
plica,ion Of good influences, a long lin
of consecutive impressions, reaching from
his first year to his iii,h, and from his fill
to his tenth, and from his tenth to hi
twentieth. Make n chain =