The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-03-11

county, Va, now West Virginia, June
20, 1s46. He attended the schools,
taught in and near the village. Among
his schoolmates was Rev. DR.. w. G.
Campbell, of the Presbyterian Church,
of this city. He attended ono session,
1S6s-'s9, at the University of Virginia.
He was then studying with the inten
ton of entering the ministry, but per-
suaded himself that he was mistaken
about his call TO the ministry, and en-
gagged in secular business until 1884. In
May Of that year he was licensed by
and travelled under Rev. DR.. p. II.
Whisner, presiding eldr of Roanoke dis
trict, then of Winchester district. He
served four years as junior preacher on
Brucetown circuit, in the bounds of
which ho had spent most OF his life. At
the expiration of that time he was sent
to MoOref1eld, where he has closed the
third year.
Rev. Mr. Stump read his text from
Paul's epistle to the Romans, tenth
chapter and first verse: Brethren, my
hearts desire and prayer to God for
Israel is that they might be served"
my BRETHREN: In this book, which
we love to cali the book of God, there is
revelation of q two-fold nature. Here
we find what man is and from whence he
came. Here we find also to what he re-
turns. Here we find laid down his duty
to God and his fellow man, and Gods re-
lation to his creatures clearly defined
That great question, What is man that
God is mindful of him?' never has nor
can ever be without reference to this
book.
"Above tho earth and below it
stretches out tho mighty handiwork of
God. lilo tlourished tho earth as para
disc, and created man to dwell therein.
But sin, like serpent stole into that
Eden, and death was implanted with all
its terrors. Man was driven hence and
paradise was lost.
1--WE learn from this book of paradise
regained. The plan of salvation, through
the Lamb of God, made plain by belief
that lie is able TO take away the sins of
the world.
paul declared that this epistle was
revelation to him. He learned it as he
sat at the gates of the city and heard
the words fall from the lips of his
teacher; he learned it in full amid
halo OF glory shot down from the heights
of heaven in the awful presence of God;
he learned it calmly from the spirit of
Jesus. lie learned that sinners could
be saved and the value of our immortal
soul. lie knew salvation. 1t was plain
to him. He learned that remarkable
declaration which has been the hope of
the dying sinner when all the dross of
earth was cast aside. For God so loved
the world that He gave His only begot-
ten Son. that whatsoever should believe
In Him should not perish, but have ever
lasting life
Paul learned those things and
preached them to men. He portrayed
the condition in which humanity had
been placed by humanity, and told that
the calamity could be avoided only
through Jesus Christ. Hear him what
he says of his master passion: knowing
the terror of the Lord, we persuade
men, and under his mighty powers men
w1lted and gave way to the spirit. None
could resist him because he was filled
with tho Holy Ghost and came with the
message of peace. HIS hearts desire
was that they be saved.
what does Paul consider by saliva
ton? He was no theorist, and weighed
his thoughts only by the grace of God
he had an experience on both sides OF
this important question. lie had been
sinner, and knew the sinners woes;
but he went down from Jerusalem to
Damascus with wonderful experience,
and after that he knew tho bliss of the
righteous.
'Festius might point the finger of
scofn at him and say: Paul, much learn
lib ndtu Hidu0 Cneo maU, DuC Paul
could look him steadily in the face and
say: No, am not mad; am a sinner
lie caught up the words of the Son of
God and confirmed his decisions by
them. lie knew the true condition of
the sinner, and saving them unto saliva
ton was his only motive.
"By inference, if not by declaration,
he plainly gives us all to understand
that this salvation is not by works, but
by faith in Jesus Christ. Here is where
the lsraelites stumbled. They depended
on works alone, and when Christ came
they were rot ready to receive him.
If any man be made alive in Christ
he is a new creature. God has sent the
spirit of his Son into your hearts cry
ing, Abba, Father. You catch the in
SEPARATION from those meek and humble
spoken words, come unto, Me all We that
are weary and heavy laden, and l will
give you rest. Those words Jared the
foundations of hell, and opened up n
new road to God. Many weary head
has been pillowed up by them, and
when the weary frame was no more the
saved soul went out to God.
"Behold Him looking down on the
Holy City and lamenting, %, Jerusalem,
how oft would 1 have gathered thee as a
hon gathers her brood beneath her
wings, but we would not Thus lie
laments to-day for you, and you hear
Him not. He came unto His own, but
His own received Him not