The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1893-06-08

invitation is: 'Ho, every one that
thirsteth. come ye 70 the waters, and
he that hath no money, come ye, buy
and eat-yes, come, buy wine and
milk without money and without price.
Incline your ear and come unto Me,
and your soul shall live
'This gracious Saviour offers balm
for every wounded heart in Divine
presence this morning--the oil of Joy
for mourning, and the garment Of
praise for the spirit of heaviness.
There are many Of you, know, who
greatly need this Divine Comforter.
Those habiliments of woe (the ladies Of
the congregation were all in mourning)
speak TO me of bleeding hearts beneath
them. To you my text commends it.
self with special emphasis. The grave
has shut forever from your eyes the
loved forms and faces Of those who
were once your joy and pride. Did
say foreverP Oh, mol not forever |!
Hear the righteous Job, and let his
holy confidence be your abiding con-
ISOLATION: 4 know that my Redeemer
iiveth, and that He shall stand Mt the
latter day upon the earth; and though
after my skin worms destroy this body,
yet in my flesh shall sec God, whom
i shall see for myself?'
"Yes, my beloved brethren, be as
sured there will come time when all
these tears shall be wiped away, when
our loved and lost ones shall be re-
stored TO us. when reunited we shall
sing together the song of the redeemed.
Come This is the only condition
He imposes. Come just as you are.
Weary and heavy-laden, it may be,
with the burden of your sins, heavily
oppressed with SORROWS manifold, many
of you, like Rachel, weeping for her
children, and who would not be com
forted because they were not. Come
to the only Fountain that can wash
away sin, the only true balm and con-
ISOLATION for wounded hearts; come,
for earth hath 10 sorrow that heaven
cannot heal.
'Tis Jesus bids you come. Will
you slight His gracious invitation?
Come, my beloved brethren, to the ta-
BILE of your Lord, which is spread for
you this day; come with your bruised
and broken hearts. He has said: 4
will refresh you Come to the foot of
the cross this morning. View your
crucified Redeemer agonizing there.
See in His feet and hands the
nail prints, and the spear
thrust in His side. Behold that crown
of thorns, and hear that mocking cry
of Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the
Jews. Was ever other king so crowned?
"Let MS commemorate, my brethren,
that scene in our hearts this day. Let
us feed on Him in our hearts by faith
with thanksgiving"
The above is but meagre sketch of
the sermon of that eloquent old man.
When he closed, there were but few
dry eyes in that hushed and awed con-
gregation. Perhaps it was expected
that the visitors would retire quietly
at the close of the discourse. But no.
they remained and participated in the
aSte-eommunion service, and whep,th9
communicates were invited to approach
the sacred table, the church presented
a scene as rare as il wes impressive;
eight Federal soldiers, together with
their general, and three Confederate
officers, including the boy, knelt to-
gether around that holy table and par
took of the broken body and shed blood
OF u common Lord and Saviour.
Not until all had communed, aad
the old pastor had invoked a blessing
upon oil, did these Christian soldiers
offer to retire; and when they arose to
go. it seemed as though they were
loath to quit the sacred precincts of
that old country church where
they had doubtless been brought
nearer to God and nearer to their
loved ones, worshipers of the same Al
mighty Father, i'll temples far away.
With bowed heads and deeply rev
erential manner, they filed two and
two ont of the church, led by the COM
mander, the congregation remaining
in their pews until all had passed out.
This soldierly cayalcade, once more
in the saddle, formed an imposing
group to look upon; the general, a
man of rare personal presence, seaIed
on a magnificent charger, and sur
rounded by his staff officers, each of
whom was but second to his COM
mander.
The spell of the sanctuary was still
upon them, for as yet not word had
been spoken, and they waited in silence
for the command Forward" II did
not come. Their leader seemed pom
dering upon some thought which had
taken possession of his mind to the
exclusion, for the moment, of the Gol-
dier instinct of mental alertness.
Suddenly he spoke. "Call an or
derly," he said.
When the soldier came forward, he
thus addressed him:
Orderly, go to the church and pre-
sent General B-'s compliments to
the three gentlemen dressed in Con-
federate uniform, and say that he
would be glad to see them for mo-