The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-03-28
SUNDAY SERMON.
Rev. Powick's Discourse in the Methodist
Episcopal Church.


Episcopal Church.
The sermon Sunday morning in the
Methodist Episcopal church was from the
text; peace, be STILL" Mark "; 80
These words were addressed to the raging
sea by the Son of God. A storm at sea is
the most frightful manifestation of the
forces of nature with which we are IA
miliar. Jesus Christ proved His divinity
when He showed His superiority to them.
Among the practical lessons we are to
learn from this miracle is that OF Gods
superiority to the forces of nature. This
is an important truth in this materialistic
age in which men are writing nature
with a big N and calling it God
and are worshipping at its shrines.
1t is comfort to know that there is One
who presides over nature who is not only
all-powerlul but all loving. Nature is a
monster that rides with relentless fury over
everything that stands in his way. But
our God
''YoIes the whirlwind to His car
And sweeps the bowling skies
A sea captain entered his cabin in D
storm and found his wife terror stricken
He seized a dagger and held it at her
breast. why are you not frightened T'
he asked. She answered because my
husband holds it," "Then," he demanded,
why do you fear the storm when your
Heavenly Father holds it ~ Properly
understood Gods great power should be a
source of great comfort to all His children.
The more powerful my Father is the better
for me. This miracle also teaches us that
all forces that array themselves against the
the progress of Gods cause are destined to
perish.
mo weapon that is formed against thee
shall prosper" This triumph over natural
forces was symbolical of the victories to be
won over moral forces. However impu-
dent haters of God and of right may be
now some day the command will go forth
'be stilP' and there will be a great calm.
Another lesson is that most of our trials
arise from a want of faith-not that want
of faith brings the storm or the ship wreck
or the sickness or the bereavement but
that they derive their sting from a want OF
faith or from allowing it 70 slumber. Most
of our trials, however, are those which
never come. Faith in God saves us from
those everlasting worries that exist only in
Imagination. am not much surprised at
the disciples want of faith for they had not
learned much about Him He was only
beginning His displays of wonder making
power. But am often surprised at my
own and at yours. With the accumulated
evidences of His omnipotent love that the
centuries contain our doubts are truly sur
prising.
We are much like the weary traveller
who, after accepting an invitation to ride,
continued to carry his burden because it
was enough for the horse to haul him. So
we often commit our destiny to God but
continue to bear our burdens instead of
laying them upon Him. Another lesson is
that some of our richest experiences come
to US some of sorest trials. This trial of
the disciples faith gave them new view of
Christ. When the calm ensued and the
sun shone their faith was stronger for the
test. AS the fearful storm sways the
mighty forest and threatens to uproot the
giant oaks but in reality only sends their
tap-roots the deeper so the stormy trials of
life often sends the tap-roo of our faith
the deeper into the soil of eternal love and
make it cling the more tenaciously to the
rock of immutable truth. The ship that
bears the Son of God cannot 60 down,