The Newtown bee., 1894-09-28
Affairs About Town.
REV MIR BARHYDT AT TRINITY.

The desk at Trinity church was occupied, last Sunday morning and evening, by Rev G. w. Barhydt of Christ church, Westport. In the morning he gave an excellent sermon from the text, sWhat sayest thou of thy self? He said, am the voice of one cry- ing in the wilderness" The discourse was attentively listened to, and was re- plete with helpful thoughts. The closing passages of the discourse follow: "What sayest thou of myself? He said, am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Make straight the way of the Lord as saith the prophet Esaias." He did not say, am John. My parents are Zacha- rias and Elizabeth. He did not say am a holy man of God, chosen vessel. He spoke not of his piety, his burning elo- quence. He referred not to the crowds who constantly listened to him as proof that he was some great one. He cared nothing for the glory of men. He had no time to think of his own holiness. John and Johns opinion was nothing. The worlds opinion was nil. He had but one thought, one idea, one object-that of his vocation, of his work in the world. He was so absorbed in that that he was that and that only, "He confessed and denied not, but confessed I am not the Christ. And they asked him what then ? Art thou Elias? And he saith, am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answer ed no.'' He said "I am the voice; :" only a voice. To them he was nameless. To them he was of no reputation, no great ness. no power, no honor. He was sim. ply voice crying lh the wilderness g | great, a powerful message to man. He | had a mission, vocation. They were tc know that. They were to prepare the way of the Lord. His mission was ter rible, searching, dwelling. He was bold and fearless. "The vile man was no long CT to be called liberal, nor the chur bountiful." All were humbled together The awful voice proclaiming judgment tt come levelled all in the dust before God When man comes face to face with tn everlasting God, the dream of self right eousness vanishes. The fine epitaphs ol tombstones, the eulogistic utterances tha counterbalance the detractions durin, life, stand not in the sight of Everlasting Truth. The strongest heart quails be meath the searching eye of God. It wa not his own opinion. It was not tn worlds opinion. It was Gods opinio John gave in answer to the question. NJ vocation is sure-You perceive my mi: sion. am that-''the voice of one cry ing in the wilderness; prepare ye tn way of the Lord; make his path straight
 I put the question to each one of yol
 What sayest thou of myself? In you place in life are you doing your wor faithfully and well, listening for the ca
 of God to a higher spiritual work, how ever, whenever it may be for the sprea of Christ's kingdom in the world? Al you turning your attention to the inne life of the soul? How would you answe this question, were it put to you suddel ly? Would you think of your family an
 the prestige of your friends? Would 70
 think of your wealth and lands? Woul
 you think of your personal beauty or a'
 complishments? Would you think (
 your brain power or physical power
 Would you think of your skill as craft
 man, financier, a logician, or philos'
 pher, would you think of yourself as
 clever needlewoman or a reigning bel
 in your circle? Really, what answ'
 would you give to this question? Al
 you so absorbed in your calling to
 Christians, the children of God, that yo would forget all else and think of you ! self only as an instrument in the hand
 God for good? Such we should be, n :. brethren. Such is the vocation and wol of us all. God sends you, God sends m 7. into the world to do a work. "What sa est thou of thyself?"