The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-01
THE COMING OF CHRIST.
Rev. ID. G. Garrett breaches on ii
Advent Message.

Advent Message.
At 81 Marks church the rector, Rev. D. C.
Garrett, preached yesterday morning on the
advent Message" from the text, Rev ili-20:
behold, stand at the door and knock"
This Advent s, ason, upon which we enter to-
day, Is 70 remind us of the coming of Christ
but in order 10 understand the n al meaning of
this lesson we are TO remember that the coming
OF the Christ is be confined TO one isolated
event NJ the end Of the world. The vital import
Of Advent refers to the continuous coming
OF the Lord now in this liie-a sign and pre-
diction oil that hnsi appearance when the world
snail have run its course and died. This truth
is beautifully expressed in the figure given bv
John of Pafmos in his message to the church at
LaOdicea--"Benold / stand Ut the door and
knock" The idea conveyed by the word
stand" is indicative OF the recurring presence
of fhe 5ayior in His immediate lie. Let us APP
ply This TACT IN two great ways. First, in the
nIstory o. the word; second, in relation 10 the
individual life
In history-As we analy e the progress of
the nations we recognize a manif station of the
Christ power and Christ presence At every
marked ersIs OF the world; in the overthrow of
ola errors; in the promotion OF justice and the
illumination of truth; in every step forward
towards a better anu truer civilization Christ
comes Witness the slow but post We trans or
nation OF national life frou the crude and ba--
baeous condition that existed prior ~ CARTS
relations that now characterize the civilized
countries. II true that for SIX centuries !ol.
owing the fali of the western empire the TINES
grew darker. due without doubt TO the effect of
ante-Chrisiian preiuaices and superstition =
supcrseding the pure Gospel of Christ But in
the thick darkness of those wretehed DAYS
Christ stood at the door snd knocked. pleading
by the wods and example OF many a brave
prophet for the pure religion and uudefled"
"a he renaissance Of learning and the events
= az led up 70 the Reformation Christ came
again and left TIE impress of His presence such
decisive PERIODS as were marked BY the fall OF
Jerusalem. the conversion OF Consisn tine the
RECESSION OF Augustine 10 Britain ana that Of
10 lace 20 Germany, the granting OF the Msgna
Caargs. aud tie abolition OF slavery In Europe
ana America, indicate tast Christ has come az
special times and with peculiar power In the
work YET 10 be done towards creating better re-
on between the nations of the world and in
Jae ameliorstion Of the many wrongs and woes
that heset mankind, Christ will again stand at
tlls dcog and knock.
IL In respect Ia the individual life the truth
OF & continuous Advent is a. self-evii mt There
&.e crises in the p&cste lie OF man as well as
ia the lIfe OF the world In judgment Chris,
comes 20 warn, 70 condemn and 20 change. In
tie denunciA;ion Of sin behold the luag.
St&adeth Al the door" Judgment is sn ever.Ye-
curing process; II cannot, - some wOuld think
- grlegatei 10 tae word beyond. Tue voice OF
Co science il the voice OF Cars, as He stsadeth
al the door Of the heart ard knocks
fAcu again q saviour a friend chris-
c0snes and pleads for tse indweInng presence
u sod IN the soal See what tAis means. Ii is
i}Aened N the text 20 hospitality God comes
Ia the sp'rtt OF Christ 10 the soul-house OF man
This iDdNegliEg o. COD may be illustrated bv
your own experience Have you not been con
saloos o. thoughts aud feelings, impulses and 81.