The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-07-13
81 SERMON. M
HEARTS-EASE.*
BY ROYAL H. PULLMAN, d. ID.

heavy laden, ana VIII si'o Sou i0''' "
Matthew, XII %.
In contrast with these tender words
Of invitation we have these, "Think
not that am come to send peace on
earth: came not to send peace, but
a sword" The contrast is startling,
and it may be confusing. The text
invites to rest; these other words are
suggestive of conflicts bitter and
fierce. The contrast is, however, re-
lieved somewhat by the character OF
the conflict. 1t is the truth as 1t is
in Jesus" against all that is false.
Revolutions inspired by his teach
ings have shaken every age, and will
continue to shake until all that is
untrue, wrong and corrupt shall be
DESTROYED and peace secured. 1.-THE
Prince of Peace" will lead the Chris
tian hosts to universal peace founded
on himself. Trumpet blasts are ever
calling his followers to action, and
there is no uncertainty in tn sound.
The faithful, the brave and the
strong rejoice in the call and rejoice
in the battle. All that is wrong, i'm
pure and unholy in whatsoever forms
these may take are arrayed against
the good, the pure and the holy.
This is something of the meaning OF
the words we have placed in contrast
with our text.
The text and the quotation show
the scope of the divine work OF our
Lord, His voice is tender with all
the sweetness of heavens love to the
sorrowing, the sick and the weary;
and strong and clear as the voice OF
a trumpet when he calls the brave
and the strong to action. Tender
ness and power meet in him. He
heals the broken hearted, breaches
the gospel to the poor, opens the
eyes of the blind, gives rest to the
weary. 1t is of this ministration we
speak to-day. The sweet and gentle
spirit that soothes and heals; the
spirit that kneels by the bedside OF
the sick and the dying; the spirit
that visits the prisoner in his cell to
comfort and encourage; the spirit
that nurses the life of the soul when
II is weak as a child and brings it
into the life of faith, and the joy OF
hope is the spirit of the text.
Nav we not call this spirit of the
religion of Jesus Heart Ease? 1t
is the name of one of the sweetest
creations in the flora of the world,
and the name is suggestive. There
are troubled hearts that need the
rest of faith. Troubled hearts they
are everywhere. Troubles OF all
kinds and from various causes. Brave
hearts have troubles; Christian hearts
sometimes grow weary and are trou-
bled: the most courageous workers
have times of depression and are
troubled. Not all who profess faith
can sing the song of triumph that
Paul writes: 90 death, where is thy
sting? o grave, where is thy vic
tory?" Not every Christian can face
the breaking up of his home without
feeling the trouble of heart sorely
apprehensive. Stalwart followers of
the Lord, heroic in deed, and brave
to face great trials, now and then cry
out in trouble too heavy for them to
bear. "Let not your heart be trou-
bled, ye believe in God" are tender
words the Lord addressed to weep
ing disciples. aye believe in GodP
This should be the balm for all
trouble. And yet, as poor old Aunt
Chloe said, "'Pears to me de good
Lord lets drefful tings happ'n."
These "drefful tings" make strong
faith tremble. believe also in me-"
continued the Lord, SIN my Fathers
house are many mansions, if were not
SO would have told you. l go to pre-
pare a place for you" Strong words
are these, and tender, yet how often
the cry is heard 'sLord, increase our
faith!"
One sweet cure for all such trou-
bles is in doing more work, taking
up more responsibility, having more
of the spirit of sacrifice. Many
troubled Christian has found hearts
ease in doubling his subscription to
the work of the Lord, and redoubling
his efforts. Give. and give more and
more, and thank God that you can
give-and give even yourself. Work.
Oh! Christians thank God that you
can do more than you are doing.
When loves hands are tied then
weep, for then is the heart torn and
rent. And yet the compassion of
Heaven is rich and tender unto all
such trouble. There is balm, there
is hearts -ease; it is prayer. Prevent