The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-07
Gospel FOR THE MASSES
First of Series of Sermons BY Rev,
Warren G. Partridge.
JESUS INFLUENCE IN THE HOME

That Was the Topic on Which Last Nights
Discourse Was Based Description OF
the Jewish Marriage Ceremony.
Jesus Invited to nc Present.
Large o Idicnces a:sc'nbled at the
Penn Avenue Baptist church yesterday,
especially, in the evening, when the
first of the series of evangelistic SER
vices was held. Rev. Warren G. Part
ridge preached the first Of his series of
sermons on 1.-The Gospel for the
Masses" at the evening service. The
reverend gentleman based his remarks
on John ii, and 2. his theme being
Jesus in the Home" After describing
in interesting language the customs in
cident to the Jewish wedding, he said
IF it was night the groom and
groomsmen and his friends went with
torches and lamps, with flute players
and with great rejoicing, for the bride,
who was escorted to the home of the
groom's father. The bride was clothed
in long white veil. covering her COM
pletely, and she was adorned with jew
els. and her hair flowing, and her head
was crowned with q chaplet of myrtle
leaves. The religious services at the
home We're unique and beautiful. Both
bride and groom had tasted all day, and
prayed in repentance as day OF
atonement. Marriage was almost Il
sacrament. The feast often LASTED
seven days, and every evening was q
joyous festival.
Jesus was invited to these festivi.
ties. 1t is probable that the marriage
was at the home of friends or rela.
tives of Mary, for Mary talked with the
servants and seemed to be on familiar
terms in the household, where she fell
at home, and Joseph assisted at the
festivities. In this merriment anC
good cheer Jesus Is welcome. His pres
ence was not a source Of gloom. The
pleasures were not beclouded by His
presence.
About John the Baptist.
John, the Baptist, was severe ant
ascetic. He lived much in seclusion II
the desert and forsook the abodes Of
men. Jesus came to mingle with thu
common people, to ennoble and beau
tify home life, to add His heavenly
charm to domestic joys. He congratu
lated the bride and groom. He Is {
pleasant guest. He and His five dis
ciples add much pleasure to the feast
Jesus will bring joy to your home
Have you taken Christ into your do
mestic circle? This young bride ant
groom started right. Jesus was in
vited to their wedding He blessed
them as they started in life
His smile was benediction t,
marriage. Many young people ar,
not Christians because they think re
| ligion will rob them of many pleasures
No joy in life can compare with tn
ecstasy of true Christian The youn,
can find no joy on earth to compar
with the delights of true Christian.
Take Jesus into your home-life. No
a dead, cold, formal profession, but
vital. daily, real and living faith |
what you need. Have you famil
| altar. Does father, mother, brother
sister, husband, wife and every mem
Der of the household love Jesus Christ
How many unhappy homes there are
How many cross words. how many un
kind deeds, how much irritability, in
justice and heartache there are in man
homes? Is your home happy? l as
| each one of you. You know your Sc
cret sorrows. Begin the new year wit
Jesus in your home. Invite Him t
your home tonight. He will come. H
stands and knocks at your door. lie
| Him in.
Sympathizcs with Every One.
Jesus sympathizes with every mem
| Der Of the family in triffling care.
Every member of every home has man
| cares and burdens. The father has n
work. The children have many secre
heartaches. Some in the home fee
friendless in the world. They nee
| sympathy and love. What friend W
| have in Jesus? In the home at Can
| there was sudden shame. If the feas
| had extended for some evenings an
| there were many relatives and friend
no wonder on this last evening whe
Jesus was invited that some of the re
freshments failed The family al
mortified. The wine has given ou
| Some of the guests have not bee
served. They send back their cups
be re-filled. The father and mother an
family and perhaps the bridesmai
and groom are in dismay. If this
known to the guests it will be di:
grace to the family as long as the
live. There Is modification and sham
In this home.
Mary, who feels at home in tn
house, and is a friend or a RELATIVE
hears of their chagrin, and she goe
| and finds Jesus, her wonderful Sol
and tells Him in whisper of the awf'
situation. Jesus gives kind reply
Mary. He goes out quietly to see II
servants. He commands them to fl
six Jars with water. They are filled
the brim. They drew out wine an
carry 1t to the master Of the cer'
monies. The good cheer and JOY
merrily on. Jesus has removed all so
row and heartache from that family.
Ills Power Excrtcd Every Moment.
"His power is seen as a Create
You see the stars at night clustered
constellation and they resemble islant
of gold anchored in the ocean of II
sky. They were created by Jesus. 81
| MS creative poWtI II tStitVu SNci
moment; or they would fall into spac
SO miracle Is always about us. Ho
does Jesus change rain and soil I'M
grape juice in the cluster ON the vine
He does that every season. But I
Cana He changed water into wine fl
simultaneously. 1t was done for othe
that men should believe that He WI
the Son of God. There must be mir,
Gle in your home in your heart.
instantaneous conversions are Scri
tural. The new birth Is miracle. IN
profane father can have the new brit
the Jewish mother, the disrespectf
son; the impudent and ungratef
daughter, the unkind husband, Il
petulant wife, and the dlsagreeab
child. 1t will be miracle in 20,
home " you are happy, sweet, XIII
and Christ-like, and true home Is
heaven upon earth"