Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-11-25
Sermon by Bishep ]. C. Keener.


Church South, was held week before in Pa.
tersburg which was presided over by Bsho
]. G. Keeuer. On Sunday night of that
week when the ordination of deacons took
plsce, he preached to a very large cougre-
CATION in tke Washington Street Msthodist
church very able sermon. His text was
the 26sh and 9th verses of the 8th chapter
of Romans. He began by saying that the
8th chapter of Romans is what We call the
spirit chapter, because ths word epirit oc-
ours in it moro than in any other part of the
word of God. This chapter sets forth with
emphasis the work Of the Trinity towards
salvation. The Trinity was not revealed
until the last conversation of Christ with
his disciples The holy Spirit, you viii re-
member, came U the dag of Pentecoss. On
that day there were msrveilons r.sr'ts of
the coming uf the BOY Spirit on tho buman
minds. There is ia tats chapter the great
poger and purposes of the Holy Spirit. Ali
blessings lead up to the Trinity until Ct iAst
we have a fine apprehension of the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. Without this apple
hensiop it is difficult to conceive of the work
of the Savior. 1t is difficult, to conceive of
the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit
In speaking of the guiding power of the
Holy Spirit Bishop Keener said that what
ever the spirit is the church is. The church
begins at once when the Holy Spirit con
verts the heart, when 1t can pronounce with
power "Abba Father,'' Oh, who Gao tell
how the Holy Spirit can take poor dull
spirit and bring him into an apprehension
of himself and the apprehension that God
will forgive his sins. A man has to be led
into this truth. 1t does not say that he is
to be directed. 1t does not say that be is
guided, but that he mast be led. TIE Holy
Spirit is often called the Advocate. He is
the power. He guides. He does not bring
men to Him by binding truths. he gives
them to understand that what they are get
ting they are getting from without. The
Apostle says when man is regenerated and
converted he ia a son of God. If man has
given his heart to God you cannot shut him
out. Some men die in darkness and go
down in despair. This God gives the Chris
tian taste of Heaven and he is satisfied
that there is Heaven. God gives us faith
and hope. Christ tells US that the Holy
Spirit sympathizss with us and groans with
us. He brings Himself along the side of
humanity with all His personal sympathy.
Have yO1 not had sorrow which left you
TO: days without prayer and the only thing
said groan in the spirit. Christ groans and
He is therefore person and sympathetic.
He groaned an unutterable groan. He re-
CARDS you with all solicitude as he did
Martha by the tomb Christ is guiding you
and is bringing you to him. The Holy
Spirit prays for and with you. You cannot
do anything unless the Holy Spirit helps
you. The bishop said he had known man
to lie down at night in great agony and in
the morning to awake with the whole trou
bic solved. Christ's groauing bring US near
to God. With groanings which cannot be
uttered Christ helps us. The Spirit prays
for things that are agreeable to God. God
searches the mind eff the spirit. It Ia by
the action and reaction of the Spirit that
men are blessed. The Saviour says with
emphasis that he is your comforter. With
tears on your cheeks the Saviour SYM
pathizss with you more than the mother
who bore you. Mark how you treat this
friend. Don't offend Christ. You have a
knowledge CT the Holy Spirit and He has
knowledge of you. Take care how you turn
away from His counsel, "Harden not your
hearts," All these words show how impor-
tant the solicitude and sympathy of Christ
is to rs. The work of love is pre- eminent
ly the work of the Holy Spirit. It is by the
to day. 1t is through tho resurrection of
Christ that men live. The assurance Of the
whole of it is that Christ is at the right
hand of God. The Sin Of one man is enough
TO crush an arehangel. Christ lakes all of
our sins and those of the unbeiiever and He
them to God through His blood.
If we had moi entered into the labor of Christ
We could not enter into the rest of Christ. |
Christ died for all and he is, therefore, our |
wisdom, sanctifieation and redemption. We |
know that we shall see Christ as He is.
10 conclusion the bishop said: "My |
brethren, it is the Divine Spirit that does |
all that is done for Ls. Christ has promised |
to lead us. 1t is the Spirit of God that |
led us, and as many as are led By the Spirit |
they are the sons of God"
At the conclusion of the sermon, which |
Was an abe and forcble one, delivered |!
without manuscript, the hymn "Holy Spir
il, Faithful Guide" was sung.