The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-07-24
GOSPEL TIDINGs.
How the Spirit Leaves the Heart and
Reveals the Purpose Of God-Evsry
Christian Has Opportunity and
Should Improve It.
n. n. CHURCH.

Should Improve It.
II. \. CHURCH.
parable Of the Leayen." Text, Mat
thew 1888. There are two views to be
taken OF this parable: first, as smile,
and, secondly, as prophecy.
l. Az simile, sis like unto" A para
BILE is 50 short narrative Of some every
day event, by which ONE great spiritual
truth ID conveyed to the heart Christ
used them to reveal, and to conceal.
The term kingdom Of heaven has Sow
eral shades OF meaning. Schaff sums up
nine. In the text there may be (a) q
threefold application. It primarily and
principally refers to the work or growth
OF grace in the human heart. Further, II
may apply to the growth and advance
ment in spirituality in the Christian
church; and yet again, to the extension
OF Christ's kingdom throughout the
world. (b) There is a fourfold similar
ity between the facts OF the parable and
the applications to be made OF it'd
small beginning. The leaven 10 small
compared to the three measures Of meal.
How true Of the beginnings at grace in
the heart! The young convert lie called
a "babe,' q ''lamb," and his grace
likened unto the tender "blade." How
well, too, this illustrates the beginnings,
in communities, almost invariably.
Twelve disciples at Jerusalem, twelve
men at Ephesus, three converts at Phil
ippi besides the ~iailsr's family. These
are the nuclei OF important churches.
|(2) Silent, unostentatious work. The
leaven works silently and unseen. 1.-THE
kingdom OF God cometh not with out
ward show" You have only to contrast
the invasion of Xerxes and his vast ar
my into southern Europe, with the en-
tering in OF Paul and his three colabor-
ers to do a greater work, to be impressed
with the truth of this point. CD In
herent power. The leaven possesses
power in itself, much more the grace OF
God, and the gospel of Christ. The sal
walton OF the world is not dependent
alone upon efficient preaching, invinci-
BILE logic and burning ~eloquence. 1t is
Holy Ghost and Gospel power that con-
victs and converts. az Sure, steady
progress-constant, not spasmodic. Not
a growth like Jonah's gourd, but like
the slow-growing, sturdy oak.
2. As prophesy-"till the whole was
leavened." Here is revealed the full
purpose Of God in every application Of
the figure. (a) The heart shall be en-
tirely leavened. ''That ye may be per.
feet and entire, wanting nothing" is
Gods plsn-who, that is conscious oil
implanted ~leaven, rests satisfied atill the
whole be leavened." (b) The church
shall become better-more consistent
faithful, spiritual, practical. 1t 10 to be
without spot or wrinkle" The leaven
is in the church. The church is no,
any particular sect, but any sect where
the true leaven is hid, and is working
1t shall! become entirely leavened. 70,
| see here, too, the prophesy Of ultimate
triumph Of christianity in the world, II
is coming. 1.-THE earth shall be filled
with the knowledge Of God as the waters
cover the sea-
BAPTIS CHURCH.
Theme: "Your opportunity" The
Master says, so every man his work.
The first query, earnestly asked by
every disciple Of Jesus, should be,
"Lord, what wilt Thou have me do?,
The rswer determined, it should be the
prime concern of that soul to do that
work. We are wort to offer u az
reasons for neglect. / have been deeply
impressed by Mordecai's message te
Esther in chapter Ala IA. Esther's OPP
p~ortunlty was a nations peril. Yours
may be but the peril OF one heart, OF
family, but your duty 10 no less impera,
tive. Mordecai emphasizes Esther'l
opportunity and responsibility by 4
threefold argument, !. O.:
L. That polite inaction would avail
nothing; not even her own persona
safety. "Think not that thou shalt o.
cape in the Kings house, more than al
the jews What.a startling revelation
to an earnest. soul Her excuse was ons
Of worldly prudence. But Mordeca
lays bare her fallacy ut q stroke. How
often do we mistake cowardice for pru
dence, and neglect duty. Skill and can
tion are not suppressed by action.
2. That Gods work would surely b,
accomplished, II not by Esther, then b
another. aIf thou altogether holdesl
thy peace at such q time a. this, thez
shall there enlargement and dsliveranc,
arise from another place. but thou and
thy house shall PERISH II the irst
argument was startling, much NOR,
this. The queens inaction or infidelity
could not thwart Gods purposes. Thil
may be h~umiliatinR to man, but humili