New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-17
FROM BROOKLYN PULPITS.
THE SECRET OF POWER IN THE RE-
LIGIOUS LIFE"
An ABLE SERMON BY THE REV. W H KERsHAw

An ABLE SERMON BY THE REV W. H. KERsHAw
LESSONS DRAWN FROM THE LIFE OF JACOB.
The Rev. W. r. Kershaw yesterday morning. In
the Bushwlck Avenue Congregational Church
preached an able sermon on The Secret OF Power
in the Religious Life taking for his text Genesis
xxi 2429 a part OF the narrative Of Jacobs
wrestlo with the angel lie said in part:
1t is matter Of but little consequence Compare iS
lively. whether the narrative was regarded IN me
light Of corporal wrestle or mental stru l7
by. The latter being the more prooaDle assu,1 4,
tion IT is not the only instance OF the SUPERIORITY Oh
mnd over matter Nervons fp.oentlv re-
suited from mental exertion under the pressure Oh
that Jacob should rise and clothe himself WIN an
almost superhuman grandeur when. under me pit
terest experience, he wrestled with MS unseen an
tagonist by the fords OF the Jabbok.
In the lives of most religious men there are
events which. account Of their supremacy solemn
and important character crises Of experience
Such phenomena brand their own neffaceabe rec
fuence through all the after years OF lie. The
birth Of the soul into the NE OF God some DARK
conflict with temptation that issued in victory and
enlargement blessed season Of communion
with the Infinite and All-Lovng Father. is never
Jacob could count two such events in his ne. and
they chung 70 him through all the years OF ms pI,-
dence Of God. which had held him on its lap for
years and MIN from b an sd ang
the mercy OF God which flung its redeemng
struggle with a new name and above all, with
The whole narrative is full OF true spiritual sig
nihcance 1t exhibits the mighty capabilities OF
mans moral nature the lofty privileges or the hu-
soul. and the wonderful possibilities OF our
lowly human life. II shows now man may APP
proach his Maker and how intimate. familiar ana
free may be the fellowship between them jacob
sought in the darkness and loneliness OF the still
hour in solemn thought and pcnitental prayer, the
sprtua poWtr eab6fntss tssf in solitude 1t
Is then that the soul freed from mPerious external
unusually vivid and active; 1t steals fire from the
furnaces Of the past" The scenes and deeds OF
moves before the eye Of the soul Alone with God
the confused and distracted mind gathers calmness
and the muddy current Of thought has time 10
settle and become clear. Private devotion is the
great secret OF strength I'm the religious life, and the
Divine life cannot be sustained without It. Jesus
sought it. and the wisest and hottest in every age
huence over the Patriarch Is the same to-day.
F!rst-lt brought sense Of repose and tranquil
him, violently. out OF himself. and made him a bet
ter. a and sincere The sharp
bargain-dealer Of bygone days lost that cunning
and deceit by which he had simulated the person
and carried off the birhright OF his brother Chris
tianity changes mans moral nature
Second-The blessing of that morning gave Jacob
stance Of Gods favor can be absolute good that
does not bring the soul into fuller and closer rela
advantages Of culture and large intelligence. with
kindred acquisitions. only of relative importance
TO The possessOr But that which lifts mans
spirit into purer and healthier moral atmosphere,
which hegets in him intenscr hatred of sin and
gives him more power over IL. which enkndles
within him n stronger devotion to God and makes
Such blessing infinitely outweights In abiding
worth whole mountains Of gold and silver, and
centuries Of worldly fame.
To be draw n OF old selves. to receive a
moral IT. to he made better a az h9,ier and kinder
is the supreme blessing. and God will not fail to
grant ii to the soul that seeks il Alright