Morning journal and courier., 1890-08-11
A STRIKING SERMON

Preached Yesterday Morning In the
United Church by the Rev. DIR.
Halves.
Rev. DR.. Halves preached an interesting
sermon yesterday morning in the United
church before goodly sized congregation.
The text was taken from Joshua, chapter
blessing; for thou hast given me a south
land, give me also springs of water. And
he also gave her the upper springs and the
neither springs" After an explanation of
the historical location and bearing of the
text the preacher drew some close and ma
terial analogies.
The church of Christ, he said, is repre-
sented as the bride. The divine spirit has
distributed broadcast gifts freely. Pardon
of sins, clever ideas of truth, steadfastness
in an upright life and enduring assurance
are all gifts of God. They are not the
things discovered or invented. The soul
that has them has received them from the
extended hand of God. It would be dead
church indeed that received existence
merely as an endowment. Even the
lowest of all men are capable of
receiving instruction and training in
the development of their moral side of
character. This endorsement is in itself a
wonderful gift. It has been proof of
positive blessing to any that have been
lifted up by it. Even a transient impulse
to initiate some noble example of fidelity,
anything that awakens even the slightest
desire toward goodness is great gift.
Failure to see on the part of man, does
not change the realities of things. The
giving of much makes the giving of more
necessary.
The unmistakable teachings of the Bible
is that it were far better to have less
knowledge of the truth than the making
an improper use of what one does have.
If one is conscious to any degree of fit
ness for the work of the Lord then there
will be the accompanying desire to carry
on the Lords work. There is this lesson
also to be obtained The additional bless
ing which is longed for comes by the ask
ing OF praying for it.
There has been much stumbling over
this question of prayer. 1t is not oul
part to be dumb, nor should we come be,
fore God with the simple prayer "Thy
will be DONE" We ought rather to come
with definite requests. Because we love
| and trust we should ask for that which
| seems good to us, knowing that God
grants not that which is harmful. Prayer
| is said to be an unphilosophi
cal act. But if that is SC
| our father has hidden us to an unphilo
| sophical act. One reason for praying ii
the request made specifically by our Lord
| himself Another is our great desire fol
help. In the divine character itself there
| is an overwhelming reason for our asking
confidently. "Call upon me-" he says, sir
the hour of trouble' He longs to be called
| upon; loves to be longed for, sought after
Claimants to millions.
The heirs to the estate of Stephen Has
kell, who died in Minneapolis severa
years ago leaving undisposed of by viii
property which has since grown to value
estimated at between two and three mil
lions of dollars, are fourteen in number
They inclnde James B. and Stephen H
Billings of this city, grand-nephews of tn,
late Stephen Haskell, and Mrs. Julia A
Billings, niece also of this city. Stepher
Haskell left will bequeathing mos
of his estate to the late Johr
Billings, husband of Mrs. Jalia A
Billings. The description of propert,
contained in the will, however, did no
1
around Minneapolis, and about 8, 900 acre.
in extent This would, therefore, descend
according to the natural laws of descent
| The reason the heirs did not put FORWARD
Their claims at the time was that the,
| were unaware that their uncle, who was
bachelor, owned the property in question
1t subsequently passed into the hands of
large number of persons, but good lawyer
in Minneapolis give it as their opinion tina
the present holders cannot defend thei
| titles against the claims of the fourteen
natural heirs.
DIR. John Billings of New York, son Of
Mrs. Julia A. Billings of this city, recent,
went to Minneapolis to investigate the sit
uation, and returned in very sanguin
mood as to the prospects of the claimant
for recovering the property. Its value, a
nearly as he could ascertain, is about 80,
800, 900. Some of it has been built upon
and there are besides several hundred va
can't buildingJots, and tracts some distanc
from the city which are wholly improved
Suits to test the validity of the titles o
the present holders will soon be brought il
the interest Of the heirs. Should thes
titles be vacated the distribution of tn
property among the fourteen claimant
would be the next thing in order.-Bridge
1 port Farmer.