The San Francisco call., 1896-04-13
Rev. c. E. Jefferson of Massa.
chusetts at the First Congre.
gational Church.
' BEHOLD, THE LAMB OF GOD"
A Large Audience Fills the Church
to Hear the Candidates First
Sermon.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALI
90S Broadway. April ~.

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALI
90S Broadway. April II.
Rev. Charles E. Jefferson of Chelsea,
Mass, preached his first probationary SER
mon at the First Congregational Church
this morning. The church was well filled,
the desire to hear the man who may sue
ceed Rev. DR.. Mclean bringing out a large
attendance.
The preacher took for his text the excla-
nation in John, i:29, Behold the Lamb
of Godl' He said:
John the Baptist was a man whose
character is not commonly understood.
His nature was most intense. Whatever
occupied his mind occupied it to the ex-
clusion of everything else. And he was as
brave as he was intense. He said what he
thought and he said it forcibly. For this
reason many came to hear him who would
not accept his doctrine. They came be-
cause they were interested, as he always
intimated more than he expressed. His
hearers were Hebrews, and of course resi-
dents of Palestine. Therefore, when John
wanted symbol to express the idea OF
salvation he chose sheep.
= 1T must be remembered that in Pal
e.tine sheep are the leading article
of commerce. They are on every hill
monies. For a thousand years a sheep
had been slaughtered in the morning and
another in the evening SO that the flow of
blood in the tabernacle might ever run as
an atonement for sin. So when John said
Behold, the Lamb OF God ;" he referred to
the most comprehensive symbol known to
the Hebrew mind. The beauty of the ex-
clamation cannot be over-estimated. John
held out to them an eternal mediator for
the sin OF the world in language tnat they
could fully understand and appreciate.
What was the effect of Johns teach
ing? Contrast the Roman Empire with
the American Republic. 1t is as the con-
trast of hell with the dawn of the golden
age. Her slavery and piracy, now free
dom; then polygamy, now code OF morals
that compels the polygamlst to hide his
mead in far-off corner of the earth. War
was then pastime for princes; now we
consider it sin. What has done all this?
The Lamb that is taking away the sins OF
the world. Why it is asked, does not
the work of reformation and regeneration
go along more rapidly? The answer is
sim pie. Infinite love is infinitely patent,
and the human heart has ever been stub
born. GOD in his mercy does not wish
that any should fail to reap the blessing
purchased of the Lamb of God, and He
extends throughout the ages the loving
invitation, Behold; accept the Lamb of
God that taketh away the sins of the
world.
Every age has produced some one who
has professed to have discovered some
thing which is superior TO the Lamb of
God. They have all gone into their graves
disappointed, and to-day millions have be-
held the Lamb of God that is taking away
the sins of the world. Is it not amazing that
for 1900 years the influence OF this Lamb
has steadily increased; that its followers
10 the number of thousands have laid
Dir = hci OF tha Oh -.
forsake their allegiance to the teaching of
John the Baptist? Is it not amazing that
to-day we can look back and see how
history has recorded the unchecked pro-
gress OF this great doctrine? And is it not
amazing that Gods great love for US is
still as great as 1t ever was, and that
he is still through his servants all over the
world holding up the beacon light OF
salvation. and crying out Behold the
Lam OF God that is taking away the sins
of the world
The Easter festival given last Sunday
evening was repeated tonight, and Rev.
G. Z. Jefferson again Or, ached. He
will preach twice next Sunday, and the
congregation will vote on his acceptance
or rejection.
Mormon Choir Concert.
OAKLAND, CAL, April 12.-The great
Mormon choir OF Salt Lake City will ar
rive here next Tuesday and will give a
concert the same evening at the First Con-
gregational Church.
There will be ten Pullman cars with 300
people on board, for although there are
but 175 people in the choir, they will bring
along lot of their uncles, cousins and
aunts. The trip is, in fact, a grand Die
nicking Jaunt OF the singers and their
friends. They will spend ten days in Cali
fornia and will give concerts in Oakland.
San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento,
the first one being in this city.
The choir comprises fifty sopranos, forty
altos, forty tenors and fortY-five basses.
There will be also four violins, with piano
and organ accompaniments. 1t is claimed
that this Mormon choir is the largest repu
lar choir in the world. 1t was formed bv
Brigham Young nearly fortv-tive wears
ago. 1t is replenlshed and kept fresh bv
constant acquisitions from the picked
singers of Salt Lake City.
Twelve Cyclists Arrested.
OAKLAND, CAL, April 12-Many re-
ports having been made of cyclists rushing
over the sidewalks across the Twelfth
street dam, p new officer IN citizens
clothes was stationed there to-day to arrest
all vIolators of the ordinance. In coupIe
of hours Officer Sherry had sent lust
twelve to the City Prison in the patrol
wagon and then the fact of his presence
became known and the sidewalks were not
patroniZed by wheelmen- Each rider de-
posted So bail and tomorrow morning il
will in all probability be reduced to 81 and
forfeited.