The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-07

Are We able to recognize His presence?
When the disciples felt their nets filling
with gpear fishes. John whispered "
Peter It is the Word, for they know not
self into the sea and made for the shore.
Many here may not know the Lord. al
though He Is present John loved Him
Ann he nos se to
or not know His ways Of working to rec
ognxe His presence and power even while
the net is being filled by the word Of His
Grace. Let us take few moments In
learning some points to know Him.
What power brought us from the four
corners of this great state to meet In this
convention. The flower Of the youth CT
our Endeavor work has here assembled.
What strange spell prompted you to spend
your time and money to some here? Was
1t the name Christian Endeavor? Was 1t
lent @ state ppesSents @ Could It be- of the de-
sire OF having good time In the nesh?
No. While We love the name Christian
Endeavor. and cherish fOndness for our
despise that which is lawfully agreeable
to the body, 1t was not these that started
us for this convention. 1t was not even
the great wealth Of this city; its novel
sights: It's surrounding scenery. nor even
IT'S people. but 1t was. Is and eyer shall be.
the power of Jesus name. IAN hail' that
power. As | look over this audience.
hear the grand proclamation sound
lifted up will draw all men unto me-" Oh.
1t Is the power of the light and love
streaming from the cross that has drawn
us together. and l pity the soul that may
| have come here from any other reason.
What You will do while attending this
convention will indicate whether Jesus Is
present; Men and women filled with the
spirit of Christ are peculiar in their labors.
They differ from the rest Of the world.
They show their faith by their works.
Let me see you go to annolnt the Lords
in your hands. and I shall know that
Jesus Is present. When | shall hear you
say send me TO the mines and shops. and
sumbs to proclaim the salvation Of the
| shall ! know that the King Is present in
this place. Whenever and wherever men
and women are ready to take up the
cross and carry deeds of kindness and
| mercy to those more unfortunate than
| themselves. then am sure the power of
| heaven is influencing their hearts and Is
| present with them. Perhaps nothing
| short Of this will secure His presence with
power. Heaven iS conservative with Its
gifts. 1t wastes no power and men cam
not ask for it before they. are ready to
utilize it. Can you say. brother am
| ready for duty? Are you ready to enter
the rank and file Of daily labor in the vine-
| yard of the Lord. then let me pronounce
the promise. "Io. l am with you always.
! even unto the end Of the world
HAST THOU FORsAKEN.
Jesus can be recognized by his drawings
| upon your hearts affections. Sometimes
| you ask with the poet:
do ! love the Lord, or no."
iou are almost led to cry, my Savior my
Savior. why hast Thou forsaken me?
| Your prayers strike against an overhang-
| ing rock The mind is Il veritable blank
in holy recollectons. Flesh warreth
against the spirit with telling effect. and
We ask who shall deliver us from the body
| OF this death. Satan cries In our ears.
I lns i..ka cd trpi ,lt
| apparent hypocrisy, and we are ashamed
of Jesus. The carnal mind says II is folly
| for such an one to hope for victory OYER
| the flesh and the world and the devil But
| thanks be to the Lord Jesus Christ for His
| unspeakeble grace. He opens TO the mind
the eternal riches of His mercy, and ths
grave of Gethsemane, the blood Of Cali
vary. the victory of the resurrection morn,
| the pleading power OF the Son at the Faith
| er's throne, the declaration, II have come
to save the sinner. and none shall pluck
those the Father gave me from my home.
revises the faded love, and our hearts
again glow with renewed spiritual life.
My heart loved Him when he found me.
and thought 1t was an everlasting love.
! wept. loved Him SO earnestly. There
was none in earth could be compared TO
because heaven or earth could be COM
pared to Him. | knew He saved my soul.
for no other reason than His love for me
was so unbounded. ! hope, pray We may
be drawn to Christ in our hearts. IL you
are drawn be sure Christ is with you. for
none will draw you to holy affections save
| Himself. An elderly lady who could
| neither read nor write applied to an INTEL
ligent church vestry for membership. She
was asked to present herself before the
vestry. At the appointed time she APP
peared and the customary questions con-
| cerning the doctrines of the church We're
| propounded. She was unable to answer
a single one of them. They decided she
could not be admitted. and were about to
dismiss her. When she heard the decision
| - ranlia1
answer your questions. but oh, how love
Jesus" They reversed their decision.
saying. Woman, If you love Jesus, We
Wa should bar you out Of His church" :"
Oh, when you love Jesus. you will have
the consciousness that He Is with you.
The church may say no, but His wooings
are unmistakable.
ONE MORE MARK.
One more mark of recognition. You will
know Him by Christ reigning in you.
When He sways the scepter from the
desire. resolve. bringing every thought
into captivity to Himself. then He is pres
ent. Oh, for more Of the imperial sover-
eighty Of Jesus u is our liberty to be
absolutely under His sway.
Will Jesus stay with us? He will If We
arouse ourselves. He will not stay in Il
sleepy convention. To Him that hath
shall be given, whether it be more sleep
ourselves to the Importance and interests
of His Kingdom and He will stay here
and bless us. We may not consider
flesh or blood. but demand of ourselves
an entire devotion to all that concerns the
holy cause.
He will if we worship. honor and glorify
Him. His being IL not more certain than
His presence where two or three are as
sembled in His name. Let us right now
resolve that the Lord will we serve,
and His voice will we obey"
He will stay if We work for Him. 60
and work in my vineyard and will give
you your reward Jesus stays where He
finds His disciples working. DO some-
have something that will satisfy. Blessed
are they whom when their Lord cometh
shall find them so doing.
SpurgeOn relates this beautiful legend:
A monk had seen "A beautiful vision OF
our Savior, and in silent bliss he was gaz-
ing upon 1t. The hour arrived at which
1t was his duty to feed the poor at the
convent gate. He would fan have lin
gered in his cell to enjoy the vision. but
under a sense of duty he tore himself away
from 1t to perform his humble service
When he returned the blessed vision was
still waiting for him, and he heard a voice
saying, "Hadst thou staid ! would have
gone ,S ina, As 'hou hast gone ana performed
Friends the windows of heaven are
open. and If We do our part, and the spir-
itual atmosphere is tempered by our ar
dent desire to receive and utilize His pow
er in the lines OF duty. then will He mani
fest Himself in showers of benedictions
that will fall upon us. ever us. Amen
Professor and Mrs. Lowe, whose
sweet voices have been heard at every
state convention for the last five years,
sang two duets and DR.. Stewart dis
missed the audience with u benediction.