Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-06-09

my DSlONeU DIetnefn, Will SIdClOuS
message from heaven. 1 come as the
ambassador of Christ, to offer + st to
the weary, and relief to the heavy
laden-rest, sweet abiding rest, to
earth's toil-worn and sin-laden suffer
ers.
LET us first consider, my brethren,
who it is that makes this gracious
offer. When l tell you it is Christ
Himself. mighty to save all who come
unto God through Him, you will re-
cognize not only the ability, but the
willingness of the gracious offerer.
We all know, my brethren, what rest
means to the hungering and thlrstlng
soul. 1t is this He offers you on the
sole condition that you will come. His
invitation is: 'Ho, every one that
thirsteth, come We to the waters, and
he that hath no money, come We, buy
and eat-yea, come, buy wine and
milk without money and withoutprice.
Incline your ear and come unto Me,
and Your soul shall live.
''This gracious Saviour offers a 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, l know, who
greatly need this Divine Comforter.
Those habiliments of woe THE ladies of
the congregation were all in mournlngJ
speak to me of bleeding hearts beneath
them. To you my text commends 1t
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 l
say forever?' Oh, mo- not forever
Hear the righteous Job, and let his
holy confidence be your abiding con-
ISOLATION: 4 know that my Redeemer
liveth, and that He shall stand at the
latter day upon the earth and though
after my skin worms destroy this body,
yet in my flesh shall see God, whom
l shall see for myself?
eyes, 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 heayy-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 we're 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 no sorrow that heaven
cannot heal.
'Tis Jesus bids you come. Will
YOU slight His gracious invitation? {?
Come, my beloved brethren, to the ia
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
crucifed 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 us 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
ante-communion service, and when the
communicates were invited to approach
the sacred table, the church presented
q scene as rare as it was 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 a common Loro and Saviour.
Not until all had communed, and
the old pastor had invoked blessing
upon all, 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, in temples far away.
With bowed heads and deeply rev.
erential manner, they filed two and
two out of the church, led by the com
mander the cOnOreOatiOn remaining