The Portland daily press., 1897-06-07
The NEW PASTOR.
Hev MIR. Malvern's First Sermon at First
Free Baptist Church.

Wnen Rev. Lewis Malvern, the new pastor,
preached his first sermon. Mr. Malvern
took this text: Acts 10, g. Now there
lore are we all here present before God to
hear ali things that are commanded thee
of God" The characters introduced in
this chapter are intensely interesting aid
of equal Importance in their respective
spheres. Cornelius is splendid character.
True he was a soldier, centurion a
Roman, and in the estimate of the
religious people of his age (the Jews) he
was a heather. Yet look at his character.
He was full of reverence, walking and
talking tenderly before God. He prayed,
but he proved his religion by his gifts.
He acted up to the light he had; this be-
ing all absorbed he felt there was more
for him. The morality and good works of
this man were but the outward express
sion of his piety Morality and good
works express our relation to our fellow
men, but piety or spirituality our rela-
ton to God. And this higher life was
what Cornelius was yearning for. Just
as soon as he heard the gospel message he
accepted it.S This man S religious life i'm
pressed all with whom he came in contact.
Please notice the heavenly interest in this
man. What man can do for himself it
is his imperative duty to perform. What
"a man cannot do for himself and his fell
low man can, that the fellowman is under
obligation to do. What the fellow man
cannot do then an Angel will. What an
Angel cannot do the God Almighty will
take the matter into His own hands and
He will move heaven and earth with all
their resources for the good of His own
dear children.
81 will never leave thee nor forsake
thee In this instance an Angel served
his purpose. You may ask why did not
the Angel preach the gospel to Cornelius.
have no doubt he would have been only
too glad to have done it, but he could not.
Gods plan is to use human agencies
where He can. Then he wanted living
witnesses of truth spoken, also the
sympathy of man for man; human heart
for human heart.
Poor Peter had heard the command,
$50 We into all the world, etc.," but he
did not understand it, his natural
religious prejudice was so strong the new
light could not get to his heart. See how
graciously God dealt with him to prepare
him for the great work. How he prided
himself upon his ceremonial cleanliness.
God said, "What 1 have cleansed call
not common or unclean.' This vision
came three times. What an awful thing
prejudice is; how hard to be freed from
it. That which today is one of our
simplest truths, was marvellous revela-
ton to Peter. Cornelius fell down to
worship Peter. Peter in manly way
said, "Stand up, l myself also am
man. "Of truth perceive that God
nation he that feareth God and worketh
righteousness is accepted of Him.
And now we have presented for our
consideration model congregation;
model sermon and model results. A
model congregation is punctual in attend
ance and all are present. There are no
absentees. All are present in proper time.
We should commence every religious SER
vice on time. This shall endeavor to do
When the hour has come in special
manner feel it's Gods time. They were
waiting for Peter and not Peter for them.
None were late. No coming in during
service and disturbing both preacher and
nearer. What an encouragement to the
minister. They realized Gods presence
"before Cod This produces humility,
not self depreciation; sincerity. Nothing
is gained by dishonesty. May be lying
and guile impose on men and get adj
mission to the church and Christian
privileges, but all this will avail nothing
before God. Hypocrisy may walk the
earth invisible to men, but not to God.
They had high expectations. "When
two or three are met together in My name
there am in the midst. Here the
Father is present. Here the Son is
present. Here the Holy Spirit is present
By the memories--of the past, the promises
of the gospel exceeding great and precious
and the company of the faithful, the wit
nesses to living Christ will all serve to
kindle the highest hopes. We should at
tend upons ordinances with diligence,
preparation and prayer. Come to God S
hous fresh from the company of the gay
and the thoughtless, and with no real
seriousness Of spirit and is it anyswonder
if you are not benefited? But come with
humility, come with sincere love of
truth. Come with hope in the boundless
mercy of God. You will not come in
vain. Instructed, inspired and refreshed,
your grateful song will be: "This is none
other than the house of God; this is the
gate of heaven"
They came for practical purpose. In
Acts 10, 80 we read 1.-THE more part knew
not wherefore they had come together"
Not SO here. They had clear settled well
understood purpose to hear. A sense of
Gods personal interest and love. To hear
what was commanded Of God. They
looked above the messenger to Him who