The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-14
THE REV. CHAs. A. sTAKLnY.
A Sermon by the Eloquent Young
Preacher of Washington, ID. O.

ITodCuer OF w aSnluRtOn, ~. ".
The following sermon was preshed at the
First Methodist Church Sunday morning to
crowded house by the Rev. Chds. A.
stakely, Of Washington, d. C.;
, TcNt-Zecharia w., q subject-Tho Efficient
Power OF the Spirit
The First Methodist Church Sunday morn
ing last was crowded TO its utmost capacity
10 hear the Rev. DR. Chas. A. Stakcly the
boy preacher Of Washington City, u. e.
Never was q crowd more edited or highly
entertained than on this occasion The
speaker used no notes whatever, but spoke
IN full, round voice that reached every part
OF the house with apparent little effort ON his
part. Though somewhat small in stature vet
his every movement was that of grace
and case. lie spoke just iifty-fvc min
utcs, and from start 10 finish held
his audience spcll-hOund, rs IL were by his
matchlcss eloqucnce. Surely he is a rising
man in the great association Of Baptists, and
the day Is not far distant when the brightest
lights Of the church will have to look 10 their
laurels and make way for the boy preacher
The speaker said:
The spirit OF God is the efficient power IN
all religious life aud work. II IL in the fail.
urc 10 appreciate and apply the truth Of this
proposition that We viii discover, In larf0
part, the reasons why the means we employ
MS churches of Christ are so frequently NULL.
fed, the methods and plans We operate are
70 frequently frustrated, aud the enterprises
we project are 80 frequently crowned with
failure and defeat What the Spirit supplies
no other can furnish, and what the Spirit does
no other can accomplish. Monmouth orchar.
actcr Of artificial appliances can take the
place OF an absent Spirit
No human might or power. however
ingcniously conceived or advautarpuugly
employed can he made Ia implrt what IL +
the prerOguiiyc of the spirit a. impirt. The
perfect merit which Christ supplies and the
instrumentaliiy which We are permitted to
furnish are Of little avail IN religious life
and effort with the efficiency of the spirit OF
God.
Though the Spirit T. docirinally set f5rihiy
some and practically looked upon by Others
as q mere influence or manifestation, the
Scriptures ar plain 10 declare his personal
ity. lie Is ~ really person Us Christ or the
Father distinct Notwithstanding. plan.
ming, ncting-having % sphere Of his own
nnd filling peculiar offices HIS personality
+ also divine. The Spirit should be rccog.
nizcd worhippcd and served o. God. Tie
mysticism which cnyclops the mind when
ever We contemplate the spirit only grows
ont Of the fact that lie Is Spirit We have
never seen bin. lie Is not associated with
objects. We cannot reduce him 90 the tan
giblc. Tho same element OF mysticism at
tachcs to any abstract idea II God.
As the Father has his peculiar work In ma
tuC aud grace, and the Son bis, su there arc
functions which are peculiarly the Spirits
Indeed, all the economy Of the Godhcad
whether related 10 the universe in gcncml
or TO mankind IN particular, depends as
much on the energy aud operation Of the
Spirit n on those Of the Father or the Sou.
lie had, as they. an essential part in the
work VI creation. and also has, ~ each Of
them. un essential part in the operations nf
the spiritual world. lie ILLS offices which
relate 10 human souls. Some Of these Offices
are richly suggested by the figures which arc
used IN the Scriptures 90 sct him forth
Thus the Spirit !, represented ns fire, which
means that lie illuminatos, tests. separates
inconsistent PARTICLES, consumes What h
druss, puriiics what j. good, supplies warmth
and He rs water which sirlk.ngly presents
him ns one who clclnscs, iny.gpmtcs. fructi.
iics.as oil. which signifies that be- anoints
comforts or southus, heals. beauties gives
juy,as rain or dow, which rpitrshcs, frrlilgcg
soiiCns, restores. rs voice o. breath. speak
ing. cntrcaung, warning cheering. and as
seal, marking souls as the property of God.
authcnticating hUm and preserving them
intact forever
After these Introductory remarks the
speaker entered into the body ~ Lis sermon,
discussing The offices Of the Spirit o. divided
Into two classes l) those that rcintc 10
Christians 90 those that relate ~ the uncon.
vcricd slt was shown That IN hl. relation Ia
Christians. 10 j. the Office " the Spirit CJ 10
revive, t2) 90 inspire dcyoiions. go 10 nnuint
for service, On Ia his relation a. to the un.
converted 10 j. hls Office % to convince, 90
10 rcgcncmto, l3l 10 bring 10 professions
These points were discussed With rlcnnc.s
and an abundant employment of Scripture
passages. In concluding his sermon the
speaker said that " this exposition of the
Spirits work were true. us every Christian
would probably acknowledge. u would CLOSE
us up a. certain results II should direct w
o. the true residence ~ church power. IL
should mako nv dissatisfied with periodical
religion. IL should cousimin M ~ employ
uudOubulul means in religious work. a. mag.
nify the local church us nn cynngrlizing
agency; and 10 rcst with childlikc depend.
cncc upor the spirit Of Col Tor approved
spiritual results.