The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-08-23
BEAUTIFUL WORDS.
The First Sermon of Rev. @. c.
Miller in Roanoke.


The chapel of St. Marks Lutheran
Church was filed on Sunday to greet
the new pastor, Rev. Oliver c. Miller,
late of San Francisco, Cal. Hon. II. s.
Trout, superintendent of the Sunday.
school, said he took great pleasure in
introducing Mr.. Miller as the newly
elected pastor, after which Mr.. Miller
addressed tho school, and at the hour
of the morning service preached his
initial sermon, which was an impressive
and earnest address from Rom, 1920.
"a nd am sure that when | come unto
you shall come in the fullness of the
blessing of the gospel of Christ"
Said the preacher, l propose to give
you an outline of the ministry of st.
Paul. and take it as my model, after
which shall try to fashion my ministry
among YOU Paul was strong in con-
viction, firm in purpose and persistent
In energy. He examined, in the light
OF plenary inspiration, and with the
most acute logical intellect, the doc
trines OF the gospel, and with his whole
heart espoused them. He could saw, 81
am sure" was we'll assured, and there
fore strong. The whole language of the
Gospel is that of surety, positive in
statement,no will o'the wisp to deceive.
Paul was assured because his cominp
had been preceded by prayer
He chad made OF his people this re-
quest: Now, beseech you, brethren,
for the Lord. Jesus Christ's sake, and
for the love of the Spirit, that we strive
together with me in your prayers to
hot
with JOY, and by the will of God and
may with you be refreshed" He was
assured by an experimental knowledge
OF the means of grace, which he de-
scribed by saying 'he had Christ in his
heart" whose life is the most profound
philosophy and science without specu-
lation.
He was also assured Of success be.
cause he know there would be that CO.
operation and appreciation that makes
great attainment possible by unfetter.
ing the hands of Omnipotence. Howell
knew that earnest, iudicious God .di-
rected labor must bring its reward and
como as an earnest man to servo an
earnest God, in all sincerity with con.
centration of purpose seeking brightest
eXaltation i'll the service of that Master
to whom he had surrendered his will,
as the servant Of Jesus Christ"
Paul really know something, and as
we have learned why he knew it, let us
also learn what he knew. 1t was this
that coming would be in tho fullness OF
the blessing of the gospel OF Christ. All
GODS gifts, and especially hose of the
gospel, are characterized by abundance.
He had learned that the earth is the
Lords and tho fullness thereof and
that chis Lord was the Father whose
child and heir he had become through
Jesus Christ, His elder brother, who ssin
the fullness Of time" came that we of
Ills fullness might receive grace for
grace, grow i'll tho measure of the stat
ure OF Ills fullness and be filled with all
tho fullness Of tho living God
He knew that fullness of faith that
pleads and receives the great whatso-
ever of Gods PROMISE tho fullness of
that hope that is both sure and stead
fast and that must so otter be tho lone
comfort Of beclouded humanity and the
fullness OF that love that spanned the
chasm between God and man, that fills
every faculty and supplies every need
OF our humanity. Paul's was emphat-
ically ministry Of reconciliation and
a proclaimer of that peace OF God that
passes all understanding and seals our
pardon through the atoning sacrifice.
No one knew better than Paul the
supreme Joy of the gospel felt the full
ness OF its uplift in times OF trial and
went forward with unfaltering steps
meath darkest skies, sorrowful, yet al
ways rejoicing at the fullness OF the
blessing of the gospel Of its faith, it's
hope, its love, its peace and Joy, as full
as the expanse OF earth, ocean and sky,
as the chorus around the throne that
sing as the noise of many waters, worthy
Is the lamb tLat was slain.
Oh, the preciousness of the gospel
AS precious as The blood that flowed for
sin and uncleanness, from the opened
fountain in the house of David. Oh,
how free tho gospel Free as the great
ocean Of atmosphere that sustains the
life of every living creature; as free as
the love OF God tina. gave his only be-
gotten son for our redemption, and as
the love Of Christ, that paid with His
precious blood the price Of our salvation.
God make usall partakers of the full.
ness OF His gospel blessing and ever
gather us where the beatitudes of Hts
Son fall upon us, and mako us to hun
ger and thirst after righteouess that
we may be filled.
GREEN GROCERIES ORDINANCE.