Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-05-31
MARTINS FERRY.
Excellent Memorial Sermon Preached BY
the Rev. J. w. Robbins


Yesterday morning Rev. J. w. Rob-
ms, pastor of the First NJ. E. Church,
Martins Ferry. delivered an excellent
memorial sermon to Thoburn Pest No.
-. G.. A. R., who attended the SER
vices in a body The subject of his
discourse was taken from Ezekiel !.
10: Their work was as it were a
wheel in the middle of a wheel
The sermon contained the following
thought: "A clause in this dark saying
comes to my mind with lesson of
value. which tells me of a wheel in
the middle of wheel, the activity or
an unseen power. From this clause OF
this miraculous vision Of the Prophet
we gather this thought-that our God,
the God of nations, thrusts forth Oft
times silently and yet successfully, His
power into the dOings and work of hui
manity. By this hidden and every
where-present power a wheel in the
middle of a Wheel God governs and
makes all things work together for
good.
mo fact Of revelation is more clearly
authenticated by the teaching OF his
tory and natural religion, than that OF
Gcd being in the activities Of the hui
man family. It is all because Of this
significant truth that you are here TO-
day as victOrs fresh from the field OF
battle bearing the grand old flag and
not one star torn from it. In the Won
derful example Of Joseph we see the
broad wheel of human jealousy and
envy seeking to crush him. but he in
Il spirit of devotion said. "Ye thought
evil against me. but God meant it for
the good So Of our brothers of the
South: they thought and planned evil
against US. but God meant it for good
unto the nation, and the result was
more than the most ardent patriots
dreamed Of.
In our national struggle there were
plans that had matured, equipments
that were thought to be ample. set IN
active operation to destroy our coun-
try. but God willed it should be free
country as well as country OF free
men, and not until the voice OF the
inner wheel was heard and needed, did
victory turn upon our side. The enc
mics of the country intended that the
firing on Fort Sumpter should announce
that the country was hopelessly diyld-
ed and its glory at an end; but God
saw. He heard. and the flag you carry
to-day attests the fact that He willed
it otherwise.
Rome. as she sat in her respondent
glory upon her seven hills, why is 1t that
her stately temples and magnificent
palaces are in dust and ruins? Simply
because they forgot God and in their
activities God was the inner wheel
against them. So will it be with this
noble republic if ever she fails to rec
ogpize properly the Divine Being in
her progressive and active life. Trust
in God and lean not on thine own I'M
derstanding. and. verify. ours shall be
a prosperous nation. Then let us not
forget God nor be vainly proud OF our
might or we shall go forth as did
samson 10 shake himself and 'wist net
that the Lord had departed from MIN.
Let our prayer he:
Guide me. o thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrims through this barren land;
7 am weak. but Thou art mighty.
Hold me by Thy powerful hand.
When we tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid our anxious fears subside;
Rear us through the swelling current
Land us safe on Canan's side.