The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1895-12-09
DIR. @. W. BRIGGS.
Ills Sermon Yesterday at the
Methodist Church.

ell 1T. Briggs az the Methodist churcl
yesterday morning, probably becaus'
IL was the gifted speakers last Sunda!
in Bryan pulpit for a long time, HI
having perfected arrangements to TAXI
final leave Of the work here and go t
0Wensboro, Ky, this week. The ser
wee opened with song, prayer and th'
reading Of the 10Th chapter Of the Act
Of the Apostles, recouniing the deliver,
Of Paul and Silas from prison and the
conversion ofthe jailor.
Dr. Briggs had inst returned from
the BRENNAN conference and he said
th.. while he did no, know who would
be assigned to the Bryan church
Bishop Keener had assured him thai
the future Of this charge was beinI
given the most careful and prayeriu
consideration.
A text from Acts 10 30, 81 was read
Believe on tie Lord Jesus Chris
and thou shalt be saved aud thy
house"
d.. Briggs then said in part:
One moment we see before MS in THU
lesson prison doors locked, grim, gloomy
and seemingly inyulnerable; in another
moment the doors are thrown open and
angels walk freely ii and out clothed
in the radiant glores Of heaven
What a picture Ii This Of the jailor',
heart aud mind There is none more
beautiful bene ia the STARS. DARK
with ignorance aud superstition, The
doors are suddenly fang open by THU
manifestation Of divine power and III,
spirit Of inquiry goes forth and cries
"What shall do 10 be saysd?n II il
a momentous occasion when one sou
looks into the face Of another with thi,
inquiry, and great is the responsibility
Of reply. i, L. the responsibility o.
mothers with little babes whose eyei
sparkle and whore voices are musical
with inquiry about the greet, wide
wonderful word; q teachers eho lead
with gentle careful hands troop o.
laughing children along the widening
way Of childhooi's aowery path oil
statesmen Who, as the representative,
Of principles, must lead the people safe
ly through the stern realities OF life
aud above all others this responsibility
rests upon the man who dares 10 s;sud
In the pulpit aud answer this appsa
Tom the souls ofother men.
"Wh@t shall ] do to be saved ?" Thil
inquiry is the origin Of ali religion
whether christian or pagan; II hal
built every temple and church ant
impelled every fetch since the worlt
began. Men are constantly mcyin,
In circles Of light which are walled in
by greater circles Of darkness, and Al
the light Of knowledge grows and wi
dens here aud there IL nerves to reyse
moFs Of the dark and limitless IN
known. OF this desire for knowledge
aud the flights Of Imagination which
gu the darkness with uncertainty Il
born terror that iremblingly appeal
TO the initiate, conscious Of sin anC
beating the wings Of thought agains
the prison bars Of darkness aud iSno
rance. But there ia yet another inspi
ration for the soul seeking 10 be save,
greater than all Of these; IL is an uuae
c0untable consciousness in the human
heart which is beautifully expressed By
st. Augustine, "Oh, God thou has
made rs for thyself aud We have n,
rest until we find thee"
The pleasure Is always in the chase
attainment is but the window through
which the soul looks up 10 CREATE
heights, From childhood, chasin,
butterflies and gathering wild flower
in the grassy meadow, to the loflies
heights Of noble manhood's vsultinI
ambition there is no rest; It is Cos
leading us on The end Of life is b,
learn 10 live aud let the soul grow vide
and more mellow, pure and nobl,
against the day whea be shall reyea
himself to US in all his perfect glory
We were given eyes and ears that MAJ
learn the perfect way and hands tina
we may help others therein. Il is i'm
possible for man to live without som,
form Of religion because the world 4
so beautiful and wonderful II speaks q
his hear, OF God IN every tone from TAI
whisper Of winds TO the voice Of tn,
thunder.
What Il It to believe on the Lor,
Jesus Christi II is not merely to q
through certain form Of yepentenc,
and baptism and to attend regularl,
upon the services Of the church an,
support its institutions; It is rather {,
follow the leadership Of the blesse,
Saviour and consecrate our lives 10 IN,
service Of others Tor his sake. Thi
precept is not partisan as men hay'
made it aud justified the burning o