The record-union., 1892-05-30
GREAT OPPORTUNITIES.
Discussed From the Standpoin of a
Clergyman.
Remarks by Rev. Mr.. Stevenson in
Connection With the Approach
ing Mills Revival.

At the Westminster Presbyterian
Church last evening Rev. r. NJ. Steven
son preached sermon on "Our Great
Opportunity, in Connection with the
Mills Meetings." Mr. Stevenson is a
member of the Executive Committee
having the revival in charge, and is also
Chairman of the Music Committee.
Opportunities improved" said the
speaker, ''are a source of great pleasure,
but when not taken advantage of they
afford lasting regret. The Children of
Israel lost a great opportunity when they
did not enter the promised land, but
turned back to wander in the wilderness.
We have before us great opportunity,
in connection with the religious work
soon be inaugurated here. In view of
the great blessings that have come to
Cincinnati, Cleveland, Portland, Los
Angeles and other cities, we should be
exceeding glad to have like outpouring
OF the spirit in Sacramento"
Mr.. Stevenson spoke from the text:
Turn Us, ., God" From his study in
Montana a few years ago the speaker had
view of a great mountain. When he
rode five miles down the valley it pre-
scented different aspect. The mountain
"
the Observers position that produced the
different effect. Gods attitude sto-
ward the human race is just what it was
ages ago. ''He is the same yesterday, to-
day and forever" David recognized
that it was because of the sins of the
Israelites that their enemies triumphed
over them, and SO he utters the prayer,
Turn Us, O, God"
Men build wall between themselves
and God. 1t is not God who builds it.
His attitude toward man is one Of COM
passion. Directors may cite the flood,
but God had waited patiently for two
thousand years before he sent the deiuge.
Criminals are punished by human law,
not in spirit Of revenge, but TO protect
society. The condition of things at the
time of the flood had become such
that the corruption must be thoroughly
stamped out In the case of the Canaan
ties we OF the present day can form no
adequate conception of their monstrous
iniquities. Their overthrow was neces-
sary for the purification of society.
Think of Gods compassion as expressed
in sending prophet after prophet and
priest after priest to His people, finally
sending His own son. Think of His
compassion as manifested toward every
one Of us
Men are constantly changing their re-
lations toward God. Now. when it is
said by some that the foundations of
truth are giving way, when those high in
scholarship are drifting, there is ten
dency to grow tinlid; but let US remen-
Der that God S position is Interchangeable.
The secret of success is to realize that the
change Is to be IN us. If Il great blessing
is to come 10 Sacramento it is because
members OF the church are going to turn
one disciple of Jesus Christ may enter
tain a feeling of bitterness in his heart to-
ward some brother. To that extent he
L. - l
Christ. He must turn il he would be
useful in labOring in the Masters vine
yard.
If any member of the church is doing
nothing; ii he does not pray; if he is in a
position ofidleness; if he has no desire for
the betterment ofthose about him, he must
turn away from that position before he
can be channel through which God can
bless.
Some will say, Power belongeth unto
God" The earth has been filled with
electricity for thousands OF years; there
was power in 1t, but of what avail was it
when we could not bring it into use? The
power of the Almighty is Of no avail to
us If we cannot utilize it. Doubtless all
Christians want mighty spiritual bless
ing; but the Lord works through human
agencies. The power of God comes upon
our neighbors and friends through the
medium of Christian workers. In this
work it will not do To wait for something
to turn up.
There is now great opportunity before
us-a time of refreshing. The speaker
knew it, because it had already begun. A
revival is the revivifying or those who
have been dropping. Individual Christ
ians sometimes get weak and need reviv-
ing.
The speaker advised his flock to pray
earnestly that the present opportunity
may be made the most of in the salvation
OF souls. When number of people work
for and pray for the conversion of one
person, Gods blessing is sure to come to
them.
In closing, Mr.. Stevenson appealed to
those out of the kingdom not to resist the
strivings of the spirit-not to refuse to
give their souls a chance to be saved.