Connecticut western news., 1891-05-13
SERMONBY DIR. TALMAGE.
sUsJEcT OF THE DISCOURSE, "iNvl-
 PATTON TO A WEDDlNG."

All Things Are Ready-Will You Come9
 Jesus Asks You, the Holy Spirit 'Asks
 You, the Church Asks You-Are You
 Ready7-Then Come.
 BROOKLYN. May 10.--An interesting ceremony was performed this morning in the Brooklyn tabernacle before the sermon was preached. A number of infants who had been brought there by their parents were baptized. The water used was some of that which was brought by Dr. Talmage from the river Jordan The main auditorium of the tabernacle and the adjoining rooms were crowded by an audience of seven thousand persons The subject of Dr. Talmage's sermon was. Invitation to 2 Wedding, and the text Luke xiv, 17, Come. for all things are now ready."
 HOLY FESTIVITIES !.
 Holy festivities today, We gather other sheaves into the spiritual garner. Our joy is like the joy of heaven Spread the banquet. fill all the chalices. We are not today at the funeral of a dead Christ; we are celebrating the marriage of the Kings son.
 It was an exciting time in English history when Queen Elizabeth visited Lord Leicester at Kenilworth castle. The clocks in all the towers and through out the castle were stopped at the mo- ment of her arrival, so continuing to point to that moment as the one sur nassinp all others in interest
 The doors of the great banqueting hall was opened. The queen marched in to the sound of the trumpets. Four hundred servants waited upon the guests. It was scene that astonished all nations when they heard of it. Five thousand dollars day did the banquet cost as it went on day after day She was greeted to the palace gates with floating islands, and torches. and the thunders of cannon, and fireworks that set the night ablaze. and burst of music that lifted the whole scene into entertainment. Beginning in that way it went on from joy to joy. and from excitement to excitement. and from rapture to rapture That was the great banquet that Lord Leicester spread in Kenilworth castle.
 Cardinal Wolsey entertained the French ambassadors in Hampton court The best cooks of all the land provided for the table. The guests were kept hunting in the parks all the day. so that their capacities might be keen. and then in the evening hour they were shown into the banqueting hall. with table a-glitter with imperial plate. and a-blush with the very costliest wines, and the second course of the feast was made of food in all shapes. of men and birds and beasts, and dancing groups, and jousting parties riding upon each other with upIifted lances Lords and princes and ambassadors. their cups gleaming to the brim. drank first to the health o1 the king of England, and then to the health of the emperor of France. That was the banquet that Cardinal Wolsey spread in Hampton court.
 GRAND ENTERTAINMENT. But today my brothers and sisters. invite you to grander entertainment. :, angels of God are the cupbearers. all the redeemed are the guests; the halls of eternal love frescoed with light and paved with joy and curtained with un fading beauty are the banqueting place, the harlnonies of eternity are the music, the chalices of God are the plate. and aln one of the servants come out with invitations to all the people. and oh, that you might break the seal of the l invitation and read in ink of blood and 1 with the tre:ilulous hand of dying | Christ, "Colne. come. for all things are now ready"
 Sometimes there have been great dis l appointments at banquet. The wine has given out. or the servants have beer rebellious, or the lights have failed but walk all around the banquetinl table of my Lord today, and l find everything complete. and swing oper the door of this banqueting house ane say. All things are now ready" l Illustrating my text go on, and i1 the first place say that the Lord Jesu. Christ is ready Cardinal Wolsey die not come into the banqueting hall un til the second course of the feast. anl when he entered booted and spurred all the guests arose and cheered him but l have to tell you that our ban queter, the Lord Jesus Christ. comes il at the beginning of the feast. Ay, h. has been waiting for his guests, waiting for some of them 1891 years, waiting with 1nangled feet, waiting with hant on the punctured side. waiting witl hand on the lacerated temples. waiting waiting!
 Wonder it is that the banqueter dit not get weary and say. Shut the doc and let the laggards stay out" No, h. has been waiting. How much he is i, earnest Shall show you2 gathe up all the tears that flooded his cheel in sympathy. all the blood that chan neled his brow and back and hand an, foot, to purchase our redemption
 gather up all the groans coming fron midnight chill and mountain hunger ant desert loneliness, and put them into on bitter cry Il gather up all the bangs tha shot from cross and pike and spear int one groan-I take one drop of sweat ol his brow, and put it under the glas of the gospel, and it enlarges to lake of sorrow. to oceans of agony. Ina Christ today, elnaciated and worn an' weary, comes here, and with d patho in which every word is |, heartbreal and every sente,.ce a martyrdoln, b says to you and he says to ne. Come come: for all things are now ready
 Ahasuerus made feast that laste' one hundred and eighty days. Thi lasts forever. Lords and princes wer