Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-08-19
RET. SAM. ?. JONES'
Els FIRST SERMON ON TIE CAMP GROUNDS
YESTERDAY.
A Characteristic Discourse Upon the Topic Of
aPrayer"-A Notable Sermon By Miss
Wrsy Yesterday Morning.

WEay 1eotoEudJ MVIAaAs'
The people on the camp ground en-
JOY a joke as well as any one else, so
after many had arisen earlier than
usual yesterday morning and spent a
long time on the Point to get the first
RlImp Sc of Rev. S. p. Jones, as he was
expected to arrive, 1t was learned that
he was already at Mr.. Bodley's cottage.
There was a general laugh at each
others expense. Every one knows that
the reverend gentleman is joker, and
ss he is we'll acquainted with the man
ners and customs OF this camp, he did
not scruple to play good one on even
his old friends, Bodley and Excel, by
slipping in the back gate while they
were patiently waiting on the Point.
The early train from Wheeling
brought quite a crowd, many Of whom
came for the first time yesterday morn
ing. The morning opened in fog, but
there was every prospect OF pleasant
day.
The first o'clock class in the audi
forum was duly held, and Brother Mil
Ter was again in charge. The intention
was that Miss Wray should lead, but
after it was arranged for her to take
charge OF the regular service at 1880
this change was made. This meeting
was OF very deep interest, many new
voices were heard, many Of the early
corners on the grounds naturally hnding
their way to the auditorium, demon
strating the fact that this is the place
TO hold this meeting.
A splendid audience gathered In the
auditorium to hear Miss Wray, who was
expected to take charge of the service,
the emergency that made this possible
being greeted with pleasure by
her many friends. From present
indications this young lady has a
very useful future before her.
After q few earnest remarks as to the
value and necessity of prayer to the
Christian, Miss Wray called on Brother
Bodley, who responded in u manner
that showed how much his heart was In
this work. Prof. Excel then sang the
beautiful hymn, "There is a Beautiful
Land on High"
After reading few verses from the
sect nd chapter of John, commencing at
the thirteenth verse. Miss Wray entered
upon the subject of Christ cleansing the
temple and gave one Of the most prac-
ticaI and useful talks we have ever
heard from this text. She showed how
the pure religion of the Jewish fathers
had degenerated until IL became en-
tirely external In its character, and was
made no of rites and ceremonies that
were irksome and distasteful to the
people. Love had entirely disappear
ed from IL - the care and
good will that God had
taught the fathers TO exercise
toward the stranger had been lost sight
Of. so that the court Of the temple mad
been filed wish beasts and merchan-
disc to the exclusion OF the Gentiles.
No wonder that the heart Of the SC&ior
was stirred with indignation when, on
the occasion Of his first visit to the tenn
pie after ne had grown to manhood, he
saw the court that should have resound-
ed with the prayers of the prOselytes,
filed with cattle, and the sinners cry
for pardon drowned by the roars OF
bulls and the bleating OF sheep. All
these things were good in their place,
but God made them for mans use, and
man had used them TO crowd out his
less favored neighbor.
Drawing a parallel between the tenn
pie and the human heart, she showed
how the worldly-minded allow the bless
ings of q good God TO crowd out his
love ard fill the throne he had
made for his own use so that he could
find no place therein. And as Christ
cleansed the temples with the knotted
cords so he wishes TO cleanse our hearts
by the disappoiutments and Affections
of life-not because he does not love us,
but because he wants to come in and
Eli US with his love, and when he has
filed US full and he will fill every
heart that will let him-he will help US
to keep them out aud our life will be
full of peace and JOY such as the world
cannot know. Not only that, but the
things that seem so hard DOW will be-
as easy and natural as breathing-the
power of sin over us will be broken and
we shall realize what it is TO be in the
world but not Of IT, Her illustrations
were aut, her figures Of speech heauti-
full and she clinched every assertion
with the word Of God.
Coming to the story Of her commits
sion she had been led and kept-even
the desire to do evil having been taken
away until it was more easy to DO right
than wrong. Full salvation was the
duty and privilege OF every one, but no
one had it until the very desire TO do
wrong was taken away.
Temptations come TO all, even the
pure in heart, but Christ who was also
tempted could help US to overcome II
we were willing to let him. She was
listened to with great attention and
frequently interrupted with demon
STATIONS of approval.
One gentlemen said TO another, You
were disappointed in not hearing Rev.
Jones, and the answer, 'his place was
filed" we'll e-WSsed the general sem
timent.
The Rev. Sam P. Jones spoke upon
the subject Of Prayer" before fine
audience in the auditorium yesterday
afternoon. He said God was all power
full and could do ell things. The estao-
lished ceusers OF power were open to
every heart. He had also established
the means by which that power could
be obtained. They were within the
reach of all. The Apostles possessed
them, and they were the same to-day as
then. Prayer was the means. Prayer
is the hearts sincere desire, uttered or
unexpreSsed.
Saying prayers was not praying,
He told this story OF fellow preacher: