The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-13

sons OF the blessed trinity, overheard, as
II were, by one who had the grand privi-
lego OF being an eavesdropper. Much
could be learned from hearing. The spirit
OF God guided the pen that wrote down
the inspired words. Children learn much
from what they overhear and wo should
90 as we'll while listening to the Eternal
Son speaking TO the Eternal Father.
All previous teachings were in accord
with the text. The text was not intended
to teach the personality OF God, yet 1t does
so. No one prays to q principle or abstrac-
ton, except, perhaps, some personiied
immateriality is invoked for rhetorical
effect. The personality OF God was also
revealed in the gift. There must be gift
and givor. Chime they were and Thou
gavcst them me-" i. also teaches US in
directly that God Is endowed with moral
nature aud affections. The gift must
have been accompanied by good emotions
AMI love. These facts reproduce them
selves in the doctrine rs sound is repro
duccd in the echo.
The plurality of the Godhcad was taught
by the text. The ordinary trouble GU
countcrcd by human reason was, not that
there were three persons, but that there
were more than one. The nature OF the
gift shows that none but a divine person
could give or receive II. And ii the giycr
was divine the receiver must also have
been equal, not only then but from ctcr-
nifty. And now, Father, glOriiy thou
me with thine own self, with the glory
which | had with thee before the world
was"
The context makes clear in that actual
aud mysterious blending OF mime and
chime" the oneness OF the Godhead.
How is the idea Of git and giyer TO be
rcconcilcd with the unity OF GOl2 How
can all that is mine aud thine be- recon-
cilcd with the idea Of change in the pos
session OF the gilt? The question is in
gcnious and difficult 10 answer, and vet
We see daily mysteries OF the same nature,
aud they DO not excite our surprise. We
see often n wife give her husband a present
or husband give wife a present, and
yet neither can say truthiully, in the
words Of the text: "Anl all mine are
thine and thine arc thine"
In the text there is nothing said about
the value Of human souls, aud vet hy i'm
plicalion We are taught their incstmablo
value. Tho value Of gift is properly os-
timatcd by the character OF the giycr. Tho
gift Of q little girl would be rose; ola nan,
something of moro value, Of man OF rank,
something more valuable still; Of great
king, the gift must be one OF special mag
nihcenco and splcndor and worthy the
lofty source whence II eamc. But when
the giyer and receiver are both exalted
aud both possess bOundlcss resources, the
gift must be worthy Of him who gives aud
OF him who receives; and II from an earth
ly king we would expect a kingdom, as
something commensurate with his dignity,
what shall we say should be the value III
the gift Of God, the Eternal Father, 20
God, the Eternal Son? To measure the
gift by one or the other OF these divine
beings human language Is inadequate.
You might rs well attempt 10 sever the
staB from the vaults OF heaven. Would a
kingdom suffice? No, not 1900 king
domsl Only the Everlasting Kingdom
that is measurable by the measuring rod
Of eternity.
The love Of God for His children was
taught by this text Think OF the gift Of
God 10 God-milions and millions ,of
souls destined for immortality and capable
OF infinite expansion. Both parties 10 this
transaction were fully cognizant OF what
they were doing. In human affairs dis
turbing causes often Interfere 10 thwart
mans purposes, hut In divine matters
everything Is done just ~ God desires aud
intends IL shall be done.
The reverend gentleman dwclt at length
upon the enormous value Of the gift from
what lac termed commercial standpoint,
and aiicrward from sentimental stand
point, using many touching and tender IL
lusirations, and asserted that Christ would
not lose any OF tho souls given him. They
were too precious In bis sight. What docs
Il matter nov, he asked, what happens,
since we know we are In Christs kccping7
When the giit was given all necessary for
the gifts entire preservation was also
given. Christ took us ~ We were. We
were gwen him rs free gift from the
Father. Before the law, which could not
be suspended, We stood condemned, and
from the law our ransom had 10 be pur.
chased by the blood Of Christ
Tho doctrine OF the atonemcnl was also
wrapped up In the text. The palcontolo-
gist, with one bone, could construct tho
entire animal and tell whether Il was car.
niyorous or graminiyorous, webb.iooiod or
clawcd, such was the uniformity OF nature
and truth. With all anteccdcnt facts
known, there is nothing surprising In the
incarnation aud death OF Christ. That
which Is expressed In the text Is only q
small part Of that which Is written be-
tween the lines. Had we sufficient intel
ligence We could construct a complete sys-
tenn OF theology out Of any one chapter OF
Scripture, rs the paleontologist constructs
a perfect skeleton out OF single bone.
Here the venerable speaker laid aside
his manuscript, threw up both hands to
heaven and with sublime frenzy oil
pathos, concluded his sermon with an
o.. a.. n.tt..