The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-06
CHRIST AND HIS EXAMPLE
HIS FORTY DAYS OF TEMPTATION IN
TIE WILDERNESS.
The Lesson It. Teaches to Poor, Sinful
neutrality-suspicious. Of Rev. Father
McFeeley at Yesterdays Mission Ser
vice at st. Peter's.

Father McFeeley preached most elo-
quent sermon yesterday morning at the
o'clock service on the theme "Tempta-
tion," taking for his text the words; "And
Jesus was led by the spirit into the wilder
ness to be tempted by the devil"
Christ left the scenes of his being In
this busy, busting world, said the divine,
and went into the wilderness there 10 fast,
pray and contemplate on his coming pas
sion. While there Satan came to tempt
him. Christ had not taken sustenence OF
any kind in all that time, neither eating
nor drinking, and was, as consequence,
ravenously hungry. We are told by COM
mentators that Satan did know who He
was tempting, and knew iull well how
hungry Christ was. First, we see the
temptation OF gluttony. Christ was hun
cry. He had ravenous appetite, and
men in such a state would give worlds to
supply that passion or quench their
thirst. Satan turns to Christ and says;
'Il Thou be the Son of God, command
these stones 10 be made bread" Mark the
answer Of our Lord "Mlan should not live
by bread alone, but by every word that
proceedoth from the mouth Of God" Christ
rejects the TEMPER lie overcomes the
temptation. There is no telling how far
men carry the sin OF gluttony, and bring
upon themselves and their homes sources
OF scandal.
Next by tho temptation OF vanity. He
set him on the highest pinnacle OF the
Temple and said TO him: "Cast thyself
down." etc. Just imagine the Lord cast
| ing himself down from tho highest pima
Gle Of the Temple and walk off uninjnred,
with tho plaudits OF the people rs re-
ward. How easily men are tempted by
vanity, and how easily they fall victims to
il. How many, like the Pharisees OF old,
never consider Gods glory, gave aims
and were considered pinks OF piety, but
were whitened sepulchres, filed with cor
ruption. They seek the applause OF men,
| love 10 hear the oily tongue OF the oily
hatterer, but never Gods grace. Vanity
is one of the great sins OF the world.
Christ's reply: "Begone! Thou shalt not
tempt the Lord, thy God"
The third time he tempted Him by am
bition. lie flies with Him over the vast
country that passed in panoramic view be-
fore him. Valleys and hills, dells and
dales, all will give Thee II Thou wilt fall
down and worship me, said Satan. Ambi-
toni Look ut Alexander conquering worlds
and weeping because there were no more
10 conquer. Caesar winning nations and
crossing the Rubicon for other nations
| Napoleon winning crowns upon crowns.
| What prompted tbem2 Ambition. But
look at the result Of II in the death OF Ma
poleon on bleak st. Halena. Christ re-
| jected the proilered ambition.
| H.. NaIo lp 10 ala axy
us that we must expect 10 be tempted
Christ never asked us to do anything that he
did not first do himself and set as an ex-
ample for ms TO follow. As gold is purified
| by heat, so must the Just man receive
heavenly grace by the fires of temptation.
We all want TO sit down at the banquet
table with Christ but we don't want to
carry the cross with him upon the narrow,
craggy paths Of Calvary. We mus bear
the cross II we wish TO receive the crown
Of eternal glory. No crown without q
cross, you know.
Guard your eyes, the windows OF your
soul, that they Withstand temptation; and
your ears and your tongue, for every mo-
mcnt In the day suggests temptation. The
world IL false, Its attractive paintings are
only on the surface; there Is dark shades
Of sorrow under the golden tints that the
sun Of temptation will show up.
Shun the very appearance OF temptation.
Ask God to bless you and give you grace
sufficient 10 Withstand Il. He'll do H. lie
| will DO with you and cause you 10 stand,
| upheld by llisrightcous Omnipotcnt hand.
| Though through fiery trials He asks thee
10 20, the rivers OF sorrow shall not over
flow. May God give you grace TO with
stand temptation, and In the end bring you
10 that haven Of rust where the wicked
cease from troubling and the weary are Al
rest.