Evening journal., 1890-03-22
rnE LESSON RON RlzpAH.
DIR. wiiIiams's Discourse in st. Andrews
Church Last Night.


Rev. Pelham WILLIAMS. S. T. D.,
rector of St. Stephens Church, Brooklyn,
N. Y, preached to large congregation
in St. Andrews Church last evening. the
occasion Of the concluding service OF the
"Quiet Day" His subject was "Rizpah-
Near the Cross and his text was
from 2 Samuel XXI 10: And Rizpah
the daughter Of Aiah took sack cloth,
and spread 1t for her upon the rock, from
the beginning Of harvest until water
dropped upon them out Of heaven, and
suffered neither the birds of the air to rest
upon them by day, nor the beasts Of the
fields by night.
This action was made by Rizpah after
her two sons had been killed by the Glib
eonites. The speaker alluded to the his
torical events which led up to the sacri-
fee of the seven Israelites, and described
David as q man with manifold duties and
many,sided character, and Rizpah as
tall and commanding in appearance.
He said in part After 5000 years
have passed, we stop to think what gave
that woman her grandeur. She obeyed
at heavy cost, and contrary to the
instinct Of a mothers heart. II is not
easy to keep our better instincts in the
right place, and it is praiseworthy when
we do so. No matter how overlaid
our lives, the image Of God is still in our
hearts in spite of adverse influences. We
are called to be true. like Rizpah. From
instincts we rise to principles, which are
the plain, direct decrees Of God. They
sanctify and protect our human bodies.
Rizpah kept her weary watch-she did
what she could, although in the sharpest
pain and deepest agony. Her message
comes to us and is ever strong.
| THE Church Of God enjoins the
strictest care OF the human body. st.
Paul speaks on the same line as RizpRh
acted The church teaches everyone
that 1T is my duty to keep my hand from
picking and stealing, my tongue from
evil speaking, lying or slandering. anc
my body in temperance, soberness anc
chastity Let no one misuse the body
created by God Rizpah's care for tn,
dead was instinct and principle com
bined The speaker thought the present
method Of conducting funerals, viii
profusion of flowers, exhibitions Of thI
milliners art. artistic music and SOM
new coneeit. had debased the burial cere
mony. The true care of the body doe
not require dirges snd ceremonials.
| ne Ihltu OF ages mas Dben SHOWN II
that one picture of Rizpah. The Gideon
ties chose seven, a complete number, an
the number of expiation. Rizpah stand
as the type Of the Church. and til
Church guards the cross, looking unit
Jesus and knowing nothing save Christ
and Him crucifed. The Church learn
her duty from that woman Of the olde
time. Are you not called to watch i
shadowy places Of your souls? SO guar
them that nothing rob you Of your treai
ure. Be as Rizpah, patient and vigilan
, and doing your duty for love sake Fin
; place in your heart to draw near III
cross where Christ awaits to WELDON
I you
DR.. Williams has a good and forcib
3 | delivery, and his discourse was listens
to with great attention. Bishop Colems
and the city clergy were present. Bish'
Coleman made few remarks thankiI
DR. Williams for his services during ii
! day. A collection WAS taken up for Il
, Woman's Auxiliary. The singing VI
led by q large and efficient volunte
q choir