Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-02-12
GOSPEL LIGHT.
SERMON ON THE TRANSPORTATION By
REV. J. ]. LAFFERTY, DID.

SERMON ON THE TRANSPORTATION By
REV. J. j. LAFFERTY, DID.
In the Trinity Methodist church In Rich.
mond. on Sunday morning, Feb 2nd, Rev.
J.J. Lsferty, DID,, preached sermon Oh
The TRANSPORTATION which is thus reported
by the Dispatch of the 4th Instant
His text was from Matthew xviii, 1S,
and he said in the band of the Twelve there
was sacred triumvirate-John, James and
Peter. These three only we're present at
the raising of the daughter of Jairus and
near Jesus in Gethsemane. They were the
"pillars," the crown and flower of the
apostolic company. They were chosen to
witness the demonstration of royalty and
the august exhibition on the Mount.
They assembled the height in the evening.
The marvellous display was enhanced in
grandeur by the darkness There are three
reports of the occurrence. Jesus was pray
ing when the s'fashion of His face" chang
ed. It would seem that prayer insulates
man from the earth and opens the path for
the divine current. The record relates that
the person of Jesus glowed and flashed as
lightning. He appeared as sculptured out
of huge shaft of ethereal fire or moulded
from liquid sun. It is remarked by mar
rator that his peasant raiment kindled in ev-
cry thread till his garment seemed woven
in loom of light. The dazzling glory was
inherent, flowing from brimmirg urn
within. Moses on Sinai had, by contact
with the luminous robe of Jehovah, carried
away veneering of brightness-the float
ing flpss of f1re-on his brow which spark led
in the eyes of Israel. The divine dynamo
was within Jesus. The countless carbons
tipped with flames that fling torch in
front of the keels forty miles from the Ed
dystoue were beacon of glow-worms by
the side of the ''Man of Galilee' as he stood
on the crest of the Judean range, as Jeho
yah enswathed in human image the Light
that no man can approach and live, the
Light angels look upon under shadow of
an eternal day, ''needing no CANDLE"
What pharos!
Presently. continued DIR. Laffsrty, two
princes of the old times, Moses and Elijah,
guided by this brilliant form, shining afar,
joined the company. 1t is told that they
came in royal attire, tin glory" The mar
rator breaks out in wonder "Beholdp' at
their approach in gorgeous and flashing ap-
paIel. But the amazemeut is augmented
when ''bright cloud" the canopy of the
Almighty, the huge burning mist that sig
nalized the march in the wilderness, and
rosred like tempest of fire on the Mount
of Law, began to encircle the honored po-
tentates and the loved Nazarine. When a
voice out of the Shekinah spoke the three
fishermen were smitten with palsy of terror,
helpless to move muscle, uttering drivel-
ling words of idiots-stunned, daZed; and
bereft of reason.
What was the purpose of this display
The valet can't believe in the greatness
of his master. 1t is the fault of the servi-
tor. These fellows, said DR.. Lafferty, had
seen the great Jew. asleep, tired, hungry,
and retreating from his foes, acknowledge
ing Caesars supremacy till they "rebuked'
Him for supposed cowardice and thought
he was a failure. They needed to know
who He was They were admitted to the
council chamber where the Deity and the
nobility of the Old Testament came. They
saw the meek son of the carpenter in his
native majesty with the royal wardrobe
flung over his shoulders and saluted by Je.
hovah. Thirty years afterwards Peter said
he was ssan eyewitness" to this transfgur
ing glory. He nor his comrades ever forgot
that night. 1t braced them. God gives
peculiar and gracious visits to men on the
verge of great trials.
2. Immortality was dim to the Hebrew.
The hints are few and vague in the Old
Testament. The land of Sheol was shadowy
and uninviting-scarcelyb believed in. To
bring before the eyes of the three disciples
Moses and Elijah in splendid array of bodi-
ly form and in mantles made by the shuttles
of light was an objecI-lesson on immortal
ity.
8. The consultation with Jesus of these
old worthless let it be known that death was
not an eternal sleep but life deeply interest
ed 10 the betterment of the race. The two
citizens gone thousand years were still
patriotic and concerned for the inhabitants,
familiar with the affairs on this planet. 1t
is worth something to know that. Joy in
heaven over one sinner repenting.
4 IF men were willing to dwell on a rude
cliff with delight with the two viaitors and
Jesus, what the ecstacy of sever with the
Lord" and the millions of just men made
perfect in the City of God?
DIR Lafferty's sermon was heard with pro-
found attention by a large congregation.
There were no services at Trinity at
night.