Los Angeles herald., 1892-04-18

| SUanbDury, Mrb. Oaruner, ~ pSP"
Neulle and Mr.. Nicholas LauL'. The
prelude and postlude were rendered by
the orchestra of the Los Angeles Catnoli lie
Gardner, while the organist and choir
were ably assisted by an orchestralquin-
tette, consisting OF Mr.. Miner. Mr..
Douglas, Mr.. Glover, Mr.. Bierlach and
Mr.. Connor. The church was crowded
to its fullest capacity, the people filling
the aisles being obliged to stand
throughout the service, from the inabil-
ity of the pews to hold one more. 1t is
safe to say that none there present will
quickly forget the flowers, the candles,
the incense, the music and the beauti-
full, impressive ceremonial, and many
went to their poor homes thanking God
that there had been 30 much beauty
woven into the warp and woof of their
otherwise commonplace lives.
THE CENTRAL BAPTIST.
The Central Baptist church was appro-
priately decorated yesterday and attend
ed by large audience.
Rey. J. s. Dill preached on the Living
Hope. Eph., 2 Having no hope"
l Pet, :3-"Hath begotten us again
unto lively hope"
The most pitable of all conditions is
that of hopelessness. Such was mans
condition when in Elm undone he fell
from primal innocence. "Thou shalt
surely die" rested like the blackness of
despair above him.
But upon the brow of this night there
rose the star of promise, "The seed of
the woman shall bruise the serpent's
head" Through the darkness Of de-
spair has come the glory of radiant
hope. Instead of the night in which
there shone no star, there has come the
dayspripg from on high, and the glory
of "the eun of righteousness hath risen
with healing in his wings"
Concerning this living hope, would
talk to you today.
l. The Author of this hope, "The God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ"
l.. God, the author of all good. Jas.
l., IL.
2. He is especially the author of the
Christian hope. In His abundant mercy
He devised a plan of salvation. 1t is
all of His love and tender pity.
II. The ground of this hope: "By the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
dead"
l. Man seeks hope that rests upon a
basis of fact. The historic element of
religion ia a most important one. The
great question of the ages has BEEN If
man die, shall he live again? Is there
hope beyond? We want historic
demonstration.
2. The great test, the wonderful
demonstration, was made at the tomb
of Christ. His resurrection is the solid
basis of our hope. Man in his madness
thought to thwart it. The devils
glared with fendieh rage; angels bent
from heaven with expectant joy. But
Christ brought life and Immortality to
light.
3. Our right to this hope is secured
by faith in this risen Lord. f'you
would rise to the living hope you must
plant yourself by faith upon Christ, the
living, resurrected Christ. Emerson
says, Glitch your wagon to star" 1
would add, "Be sure that it is the star
of Bethlehem" Join your chariot to
the sun, but be sure it is.the sun Of right
eousness that rose from the grave of
Joseph of Aramathea.
III. The object of this hope, "An in
heritance incorruptible and undefiled,
and that fadeth not away"
Our resurrection bodies i. e., no ele-
ment by which it can perish.
ndefiled-Absence of all impurity,
holiness.
Fadeth not away-Opposed to the
transient around US. This is the eter-
nal Christ life.
~. The double security of this hope,
Reserved in, heaven for you, who are
kept by the power of God"
l. The inheritance is in reserve for US.
2. We are kept for the inheritance.
5. The trials of this hope. Manifold
Temptations"
So long as we have the environment
of this feshly tabernacle we will have
heaviness through many temptations.
Our hopes will be put to the test of
many fiery trial. In this let US rather
rejoice, enduring the cross for the crown.
The inspiration of hope.
In 1849 there arose bright star of
worldly hope upon the slope of the Pa
cific. 1t was the great era of the gold
discovery, and the eyes of all the world
turned to the Golden Gate of California.
Lured by the prospect, inspired by the
hope of sudden wealth, what hardships
were endured! Through every trial
and danger the hope of anchoring in the
bay within the Golden Gate gave to the
adventurer the strength to overcome.
I have read the story of party Of
men who at that time set forth from
England with this song of hope, "We are
bound for the Golden Gate" They sold
their all. They left kindred and friends
They chose the Panama route and to an
old leaky tub of boat trusted theil
lives to battle the Atlantic wave. And
fierce, hard battle it was when the
storms rose and the frail bark drifted al
the mercy of the sea. And when de-
livered from the perils of sea, it was
only to fall into perils of robbers. In
crossing Mexico to Panama they were
hunted by bands thirsty for American
gold and American blood. Then there
came the struggle for passage up the
Pacific coast. There was the long and
tedious waiting; then the overcrowded
vessel then the ecant food and water
and the long, slow journey. Through il
, all the heart big with hope sung the
song, "We are bound for the Colder
, Gate"
/ If the fading phantom OF an earthly
{ hope could lead men to endure suct
hardships and trials, need we whose
| faces are turned to the golden gate o
the heavenly Ell Dorado be disheartenet
because of the manifold temptations
We who are bound for the heritage o
our God should rather glory in tribula
tion, sknowiug that tribulatiop worketl
/ patience, and patience experience ant
hCno ~