The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-10-09
d SERMON ON REGENERATION.
Calvary Tabernacle Filled to
Overlooking.
sEseY. Mr.. Elsom breaches " Stirring Ser
mon From tho Text, "Ye Must BE
Horn Again Growing Interest in the
Revival Services.

Six hundred people crowded into the
Calvary Baptist Tabernacle last night
to hear Rev. Mr.. Elsem preach his fifth
Z sermon. Every available space was
taken, and many people stood up. Many
came to the door, looked in, and, seeing
there was no room, turned away.
After reading and expounding the 18th
chapter of Hebrews, and singing "Jesus
Lover of My Soul" Rev. Mr.. Elsom
took for his text the seventh verse of
the third chapter of John: "Ye Must
be Born Again"
81 do not suppose" began the speaker,
shat there is moro familiar passage in
the Scriptures than this. 1t has been
: the theme of saints for generations. 1t
has been the subject of discussion since
the foundation of the Christian church.
1t is { Id and familiar, but yet it is good.
There has been moro truths, moro mys-
terry to the uncon, er ed, wrapped up in
these words than in all other books
writted by mortal man. Luther said it
was e little Bible within itself.
.Nicode1us came to Jesus by night.
He wanted to know how to be saved
again. Nicodemus was man of great
moral character. No man in Jerusalem
stood higher than he. He was con-
sidered as good man as your mayor of
Roanoke or anybody else. Yet Jesus
said you must be born again.
"Nicodemus knew nothing Of re-
g generation, nor could Christ regenerate
him with all his power. He knew that
this must come after the great sacrifice.
Yes, after Christ the Savior of the
world was hung bleeding on the cross,
and man through all ages of the world
could look upon that picture and be
saved"
Mr.. Elson then read three other
passages of Scripture, showing the
same facts, that man must be born
glories of God s kingdom.
"What is regeneration? It is not
going to church. 1t is not coming here
day after day, night after night, think
ing you are doing God service. This
will never save your soul. Roanoke is
agreat church-Joing town. / see that
already and am glad to know that you
come to church. But is that all you do
for Gods work? II is, that will never
save you.
again, you say you are trying to do
what is right. You may do good all
your life; you may build ladder clear
I'd the borders of heaven by your good
works, and as you look off from the very
top into those glories you cannot reach,
God will appear before you and say "he
my way, the same is thief, and the
ladder will fall and crush you. You
want the blood OF Jesus to save you.
Look on him as he hangs on the cross
OF Calvary, and believe. He alone can
save you from death.
"Again, some of you think baptism
will save you, and by immersion all
your sins have been washed away.
Never! 1 believe there are more bap-
tised sinners in the church than there
are saved people. That is what is the
matter with the church in Roanoke to-
day-too many baptised sinners"
Everywhere else" cried good
brother III Il front pew. ."Ah, yes, in
my church too, l suppose; They are
everywhere, and they will find out soon
or late that they must be born again.
Regeneration is the work of God. 1t
is the creation OF new life in man. AS
we are born into the world physically
In moment of time, so comes to man
this gift of God, simultaneously, but
burning with The power of the Holy
Ghost.
Good works and education are only
agents to regeneration. They lead
man to a sense of his duty to God, and
unless the heart is laid upon the. altar
you are not saved.
." The wind bloweth where it listeth
thou heareth the sound thereof, but
caDst not tell whittier it cometh or
whittier it goeth.' said Jesus. So it is
with g:n ,ration. You are born
again unto God. Tho world is given
up, and standing in the broad
and narrow way, you look upon
the Lamb that taketh away the sins OF
the world. AS Moses lifted up the
serpent in the wilderness, even so must
the sen of man be lifted up
"Brethen, we must all be born again.
If we went to live in that city of life; If
you wish to wear crown Of gold and
sit at the marriage supper of the Lamb,
we must all be born again"
Mr.. Elsom then made an eloquent ap-
peal to tho unconvorted, and many
stood up for the prayers of the church.
Many more came forward and made q
protest. n of faith. The Cavalry broth
rem are delighted with the success OF
tho meeting. They are ali working like
beavers, and expect great things to
come of the revival.
Y. NJ. c. A. Notes
The regular Thursday evening meet
ing Of the Youny Mons Christian Asso-