The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-12-10
Third EDITION.



Loves test was the subject OF an inter
estlug and soul stirlng sermon. preached
At Asbury III, H. Church yesterday morn
Ing Ny the pastor Rev J. II. Howard d. ID.
notwithstanding tie morning being SO
nnpiaasant, the congregation was large.
Tho doctor chose for his text the 18th
verse OF tho 2tst chapter OF St John: SO
when they had dined. Jesus saith to Simon
Peter son OF Jonas. lowest thou me more
than thass7 He saith unto him Yea God;
thou kaowsst that love thee, he saith unto
him, feed my iamte. The doctor said in
part that Christ demands our love II this lie
deuied him he will have nothing else. we
may MAKE the altar smoke with sacrafice
OF burnt oferinga We may give our
money TO feed the poor and may even
euler martyrdom for truths sake yet all
Ibis Is as dust In the balance In his sight.
II We do not give Him our supreme af.
factions What is the nature OF The love
Of Christ? IL ia not the love OF religion or
love oil q creed. One may love his church
and wear himself out for the maintenance
oiits dogmas end ceremonies, but still
not love Christ.
The doctor soid this meeting which he
has been conducting Tor the last few
weeks Ia which a hundred or go have been
converted, was the delight of his heart.
anu that he was getting nearer to God
than ever. Whom the heart is full Of the
love Of Christ You will love every person
elso IL will place your Ieet upon rock
anu pns a new song In your mouth, even
more than love for religion. A. person
can admire the Christian religion aud u OF
love Christ.
1t ID natural to love virtue for the sax
OF virtue, But the Master says in the
language Of the text: Lowest thou Me-
not my religion, or my creed. nor what
have done, but lowest thou Me. Is Christ
To you this morning the fairest OF ten
tnousand. the one altogether lovely?
Christ wants our affections above every.
thing else. 1t ID love absolute. He re-
CURES relation OF obedience to 10 We.
Then Jesus eaid: Feed my lambs, go to
work. The universal expression of love
10 obedience. We may know him by ur
willing obedience, Ii We love me ye will
Keep my commandments. How am / to
know that love Jesusg Not because l
say so, but because l am happy in the
obedience OF His command ments. Then
do find ills ways are ways OF pleasant
ness AMI Ills paths are paths Of peace.
The good and obedient shall cat of the
Tat az the land Loves test DO We love
Jesus, when we love 10y SO dong? DO we
show our affections for hun when the
fesh rebels when there Is no possibility of
earthly reward? Then We can say we
have left all to follow thee. Then may we
say Thou knowest that l love thee"
When We serve Christ at great personal
cost. we do so for loves sake. The more
We work for him the more do we see in
him to love There Is striking congeni-
atty between Chrlst's commands and
To Christs commands ia often attended
with sacrifices, yet they nre copgenial to
those who obey. This Ia true, because
tho commands are centred in Christ.
he asks nothing OF us but what yields
Him the greatest qualification. All we do
for Jesus Ia only gratifying the object we
love- Since we desire to crafty the OBJ
ject OF our affections we exert ourselves
for Him. Work is congenal no matterhow
difficult, when we are adding TO the Joys
oil those for whom we Labor The thought
that we are serving the interest OF loved
ones often swestens the tolls OF life that
would otherwise he intolereble. They are
congerial since they originate In the high
est VIII dom.
1t is Always expedlenp to obey Christ
because our commander has initiate wis.
dom. and can never make mistake CON
corning us. IL lie bids thee go to the very
gates OF death do not hesitate moment.
II Is right Tor him to command aul pro.
htable for us to obey. The congenialIty
OF Chrlsts CONF and is increased wnen we
learn that Obedience to them Ia sure to re-
suit in good 10 ourselves. We eau not
serve Christ without serving our best
interests.