The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-05-15
FROM THE PULPITS.
Gods Special Providence Proclaimed
Poor Beds for Body and s~ouf-Inspir-
alton in the Suffering, Labor and
Self-Denial Of Jesus Christ.
M. E. CHURCH.

The term providence" is theological J
rat her than scriptural. 1t occurs but
once in the scripture. 1t means care
government, administration, superin-
tendence. Some ~thelogians haye divided
providence into three parts; general,
special and particular.
/. There are many other proof texts
OF Gods special interest and care. (a)
He thinks OF US. David said "for | am
poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh
upon me-" (b) His eye is upon us. The
eyes of the Lord run to and fro and to
show himself strong In the behalf or
them whose heart is perfect toward
him." (c) HIS ear is open to US. HIS
ears are open unto their (the r~lghteous)
prayers" (d) He pities US. Like as q
father pitieth his children ETC." (e) He
guides. 81 will guide thee with mine
eye.' () He provides. Behold the
fowls of the air y yet your heavenly
father feedeth them. Are ye not much
better than they?"
2. Examples of Gods particular pro-
violence are not wanting. Abraham,
Joseph, Moses, David. Paul are only q
few. But the g of miracles has not
passed. God yet "moves in a myster-
ious way, his wonders to perform
Luther, Bunyon, Wesley, Spurgeon, at
ford mn1or ayamnlaa
Thousands of unknown lowly could
tell of remarkable deliverances. To be
kept from danger, is as great a privilege
as to be kept in danger. II your lot
seems to be cast in the midst of dark
p]rovidences, look at it as st. Ignatius,
who, when he met the Numidian lion in
the arena, said, II am Gods grain; 1
must be ground between the teeth OF
lions to make Gods bread"
What the king of Portugal called the
cape of Good Hope, his mariners had
first named the cape of Storms in mem
DRY cfthe adversities they encountered
there. So our trials and ADVERSE
ties are quite sure to prove the cape Of
Good Hope in our passage to richer and
deeper things Of God. "Thev after
wards yield the ~peaceable fruits oil
righteousness to those who are exer-
cised thereby"
g.. If God is such a care taker OF our
interests, what implicit faith we should
/ haze -, htr, uphaf calm rncirrnfrnnH IN
the darkest hour; how we should Hold
still" in persecution and trial; what need
of waiting upon him for guidance, ano
how mindful we should be of the ''littlt
things"
BAPTIST CHURCH.
"Poor comfort"
Isiah 2S:2O-"For the bed is shorter
than a man can stretch himself upon it
and the covering narrower than that ht
can wrap himself in It."
Beds are articles of furniture to secure
comfort and rest for the weary. They
vary with degrees of civilization, climate
dwellings and national characteristics
Beds of different peoples were described
and interesting personal experiences IL
an uncomfortable bed were gwen, al
tending to make the figure of the tex
more expressive.
Attention was then called to the fac
that while men give much thought ane
time to making comfortable beds ane
coverings for their bodies. they often ne
glect enterely or make miserable and IN
comfortable provision for rest and com
fort of their immortal souls. i.e.,
/. Many people are making a bed o
philanthropy with a covering of benev
~olence.
o. Others make a bed of honesty will
a covering Of business integrity.
3. Still others make a bed of moralit,
with a covering OF friendliness to religion
4. And lastly, some are making a be-
OF the church of God with a covering o
religious profession.
In each case the bed was examined ant
measured and found too short and tn
covering too narrow for the sin burdene'
soul in the cold blasts of the judgmen
during the unending night OF eternity
The only bed big enough, then, will b
the unspeakable love Of God, resting O
his promises; tile only covering wild
enough the spotless robe of Jesus's I'm
maculate righteousness woven into tn
wool OF your repentance and faith an
loving obedience.
Earnestness, zeal, good intentions an
desires, benevofence 4, and good works ar
, good in themselves and in their places
but not as q means OF repose and comfol
/, for the weary, sin bardened soul. Notl
: ing will do but the finished work {
Christ. Resting on this snre basis, q
fears alarm, nj shame confuses, no di1