St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-08-18
PEOPLE FORGET GOD.
Bishop Gilbert Delivers Pointed
Discourse in Christ Church.


Right Rev. Mahlon II. Gilbert. coad-
jutor bishop of Minnesota. has returned
from brief fishing trip in Montana,
and made us appearance in his Old
parish church-ChrSt church-yester-
day morning, to the great qualification
of a large number of friends and adj
mirers. The good bishop looked sun
burned and vigorous, with the alert,
upright carriage which once led a news
paper in the city of Washington to refer
to him as the notwithstanding bishop
from the West.
The service was read in an able man
ner by Archdeacon Appleby, after
which Bishop Gilbert advanced to the
outer steps Of the chancel and preached
an eXtemporaneouS sermon full of ner-
vous energy, with magnetism which
fairly thrilled his listeners. The text
was taken from l. Corinthians, XIV,
part of verse 10: But by the
grace of God | am what l am"
The dominant lesson which ran through
the Scriptures appointed to be read that
day was the lesson of humility. In the
chapter taken from the Old Testament
the Jews were admoniShed to remember
their entire dependence upon God, who
had led them through the wilderness.
In the second lesson, taken from the
Gospel according to st. Matthew, we
read that Jesus called little child and
set him in the midst of his disciples
and said: "Verily say unto you, ex-
cept we be converted and become as lit
tie children, we shall not enter the king
dom of heaven. Whosoever, therefore,
shall humble himself as this little child,
the same is greatest in the kingdom OF
heaven" The epiStle from which the
text was taken tells of the once proud
Pharisee who, by the grace of God, be-
came the humble Christian; while the
Gospel for the day speaks of that other
PhariSee, whose name has not come
down to us. but who is known to all,
and of the contrite publican who stood
off and said; ''God be merciful to me,
a sinner"
In this day and age people are prone
to lose sight of the great fact of their
entire dependence upon God for all they
have and are. Mans powers have been
developed to marvellous degree, so
that he seems in measure to control
the forces of nature. Man is deifed;
he has gained in knowledge and become
self-reliant. Nature bears witness to
his achievements; even the stars in
their courses speak of his prowess, and
testify to his knowledge; and it is not
| to be wondered at that he is proud when
| he looks around and gazeS upon the feats
which he has accomplished. But is it
period of spiritual growth and develop
| ment? Societies, corporations, aye,
| churches themselves, speak OF their
| successes and their gains. but only from
material point of view. Congregations
| boast of numbers and wealth, but say
| little about their deepened spiritual life.
ctnil Cti n
count than quickened religious vitality.
| Have you ever" asked the right
reverend preacher. Lain at night under
| the silent stars, or among the solltudeS
of the mountain cragS, as l have done,
and thought of how utterly helpless and
| dependent you are upon God. after all?''
The bishop then drew a beautiful
! picture of young life in its earlier
growth among the good influences of a
| peaceful home; of the youth growing up
| in innocence and purity; of the first de-
| parture from home for the great world;
| of the inroads of sin and w0rldiineSS; of
J forgotten prayers. and the furnished
luster of early Christian character. The
| youth has forgotten his spiritual train
| ing in his struggles after material
| from God. A vivid sketch Was
| drawn of that man whom the civilized
world delights to honor at the present
time-the great traveller Stanley. He
is man who in himself combines
nearly all the traits of physical man
| hood, one whose courage and intrepid
| ity commend him to the admiration of
all and yet perhaps, not altogether the
| type we should select as an ideal of
| spiritual character. When Stanley was
in the heart of darkest Africa, sur
rounded by savage beasts and savage
men. when everything seemed hopeless.
this is the record of his diary at that
| gloomy season: IF ever l return to
my home, God shall always receive
| full recogniti ton in the affairs ofmy fut-
| ure life" This was the confession
wrung from the great explorer while in
the midst of difficulties and dangers to
which we may never be exposed; but
we should take the lesson to ourselves,
| and resolve from henceforth to ac-
| knowledge God in all our WAYS.