The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-08-19

learn how to suffer. Sometimes people
suffer because they cannot help them
selves, but Christ had in his hands all
the weapons to punish his enemies. and
yet in quiescence he endured all out
rage. He might have hurled the rocks
of Golgotha upon his pursuers; he might
have cleft the earth until he swallowed
up his assailants; he might have called
in reinforcement or taken any thunder
bolt from the armory of God Omnipo-
tent and hurled it seething and fiery
amoag his foes, but he answered not
Igain.
oh, my nearer! has there ever been in
the history of the world such an exam
pie OF enduring patience as we find in
the cross? Some of you suffer physical
distresses, some of you have lifelong
ailments and they make you fretful.
Sometimes you think that God has
given you cup too deep and too brim-
ming. Sometimes you see the world
laughing and romping on the highways
of life, and you look out of the window
while seated in invalid's chair.
PATIENT SUFFERING OF CHRISTIAN LOVE.
want to show you this morning one
who had worse pains in the head than
you have ever had, whose back was
scourged, who was wounded in tie
hands and wounded in the feet, and suf-
fered all over; and | want that example
to make you more enduring in your suf-
fering, and to make you say, "Father,
not my will, but thine be done" You
never have had any bodily pain, and
you will never have any bodily pain
that equaled Christ's torture. 1T be-
hoved Christ to suffer-" that he might
show you how physically to suffer.
Some of you are prosecuted. There
are those who hate you. They criticise
you. They would be glad to see you
stumble and fall. They have done I'M
accountable meannesses toward you.
Sometimes you feel angry. You feel as
if you would like to retort. Stop! Look at
the closed lips, look at the still hand, look
at the beautiful demeanor of your Lord.
Struck, not striking back again. Oh if
you could only appreciate what he en-
dured in the way of persecution you
never would complain of persecution
The words of Christ would be your
words, 'Father, if it be possible, let this
cup pass from me; but if not, thy will
be done" sit beloved Christ to suffer"
that he might show you how
to endure persecution.
Some of you are bereft. 1t is no ran
dom remark, because there is hardly
family here that has not passed under
the shadow. You have been bereft.
Your house is different place from
what it used to be. The same furni-
ture, the same books, the same pictures,
but there has been voice hushed there.
The face that used to light up the whole
dwelling has vanished. The pattering
Of the other feet does not break up the
loneliness. The wave has gone over
your soul, and you have sometimes
thought what you would tell him when |
ne comes back but then the thought
mas flashed upon you, he will never
come back.
All! my brother, my sister, Christ
1as sounded all that depth. Jesus of
he bereft soul is here today. Behold
aim! He knows what it is to weep at
jhe tomb. 1t seems to me !as<ifs ell the
storms of the worlds sorrow were COM
pressed into one sob, and that sob were
uttered in two words, "Jesus wept."
close my sermon with a doxology:
Blessing and glory and honor and
oower be unto him that sitteth upon the
hrone, and unto the Lamb, forever.
Amen and amenp'