The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-31
} SERMON FOR THE SHUT-INS. 5
"THE CHRISTIANS suFFrcEscY."--By H. Temple

- think anything as q cu-zeiyess bit our
sBfse5ency is OF God" Cor. III. =
In this sentence nothingness and ornri-
posencs clasp hands NotniBgness trenl-
bling while Il trusts. ornnipotenee assur-
tag while IL supports. rotntngness empty
snd waiting. omnipotence overfow1ng and
con. nsTznieaflng. notatngnezs laneufing It's
entire hack % efficiency, and then renezn-
bering that all its sufficiency is Of God.
II would seem az II the apostle had been
in dangerously exulttng state OF mind
fits success Ia the ministry had been phe-
r1onenal. He had upset the sopaistrfes OF
the rafionallstr OF hts day, and had sur
wlved the prosecutions OF those who en-
rjsyed force because they were incapable
Of 1oxrfc He had iriumphed over the
charge OF false apoxtiesnip, and han 80
Impressed the then world with MS gen
-ia1ness that he needed 10 letters or
commentator In the fErth-r prosecution
% his Iabory. FOR hls work spoke every
where for Itself and for him. He had
risen 10 a most envtabIe and yet most
dangerous position. SO confident was ne
OF divine approval and 90 winning the
hearts % men that he appeared at times
20 be aoins the most empty and vain
glorious boasting.
II was really supreme moment IN ms
life when he began this third chapter OF
his letter 20 ths Cortnthian church. What
from your writes he. Te are our letter
OF recommendation. your willingness 10
accent sno5r readiness TO I've. your am
bifson To exalt. our gospel. Ne are our
epEafie: written not With ink-that would
not he half permanent enongh-pat Win
the Spirit OF the living God; not IN tables
OF stone-how hard and unresponsiYe such
a surface would bs-but IN the heshy
tables OF the heart. 20 be known and read
OF al men And 80 clear was the ap0s-
ties conviction that such was the ease,
that II Introduction 10 an audience
haf bean the custom in those DAYS
he would not have been at All sur
prised to have been presented as the man
who had made such a profound impress
zion al Corinth: or in passing a converted
Corinthfan elsewhere. 10 have overheard
a third party exciaim 70 a fourth: DO
you see that man yonder7 lie IS from
CoriHth He is one OF Pauls converts.
That Is the apostle OF the new faith
taking with him. he has had wonderful
success In that city They almost wor-
ahip him down there l arm anxious to
hear him. He will speak In the syns-
eogua today. BE sure 70 go. he Is q
great orator"
IN hts ecstatic state OF mind such words
would not have startled Paul AZ all Hap
py mani And yet the eminent evangelist
was standing At an elevation from which
he could either descend or ascend Which
should II be? Taking the glory OF his
triumph 10 himself he must fall Ascribing
the glory 10 God he viii rise stu higher.
IL there any struggle In his mindP Does
ne hesitate an instant? Suspect him.
and you will break his heart. Listen
while ] quote from the very first words
OF his first letter:
.I thank my God always on your behalf.
for the grace OF God which IL given you
t.. knt
enriched by Him. I'm all utterance and In
eli knowiedge." Does that sound like
personal boasting7
For Christ sent me not "a baptize, but
20 preach the gospel: not with wisdom Of
words. lest the cross OF Christ should be
made OF none effect.
Where - tho wise. where is the scribe.
where Is the disputer OF this world' Hath
not God made foolish the wisdom Of this
worldy
Because ths foolIshness Of God is wiser
than men, and the weakness OF God Il
stronger than men.
That according AZ II II written. he that
gloriesh. let him glory in the Lord.
And 7. brethren. when came 70 you.
came not with excellency OF speech or OF
wisdom. declaring unto you the testimony
OF God. For I determined not TO know
anything among you save Jesus Christ
'~rhat your faith should not stand in
the wisdom OF men but in the power OF
God"
Does that sound like boastinr7 All. Paul
was no trumpeter of his own abilities
RE had forever put that accusation 10
shame tn his letter 70 the Galattns some
FIVE years before. 'God forbid that |
should glory save In the cross OF our Lord
Jesus Christ. by whom the world Is cruel
Ted unto me and / unto the world" Paul
was IN no real danger after ali. No char-
aeter such as his would make \ mistake
when passing from esctasv 20 It's analysis.
Possibly BE ps used moment 30 look a,
himself through the eyes Of others. He
saw the msiuterpretation that might be
put upon hls words The world would say
he was spoiled by popularity. that his
head lad been turned by success. He
wouldn't have been alone in that case.
The world has been Obliged too frequently
20 enter Mp that Judgment. II 3s very
sad moment ~ c}cver mans life when
8, "a evident that he feels hts Importance.
Nothing viii so ruin q mans prospect OF
future usefulness ~ the manifest con-
scjonsuess 81 his own powers. Praise has
Blasted many n Young workman. when II
wholesome appreciation had been used in
stead he would have been encouraged and
hclped But Paul was proof against fat
tory. and he wrote these noble words,
Not that Ne are sufficient OF ourselves
20 think anything az OF ourselves. bat
our suftlcicncy e % God
: sublime Fact.
mention this statement OF my text
frst ~ a sublime fact 'Osur sufflciency Is
OF cod" 10 has been the upholding power
~ the church throughout ali ages Rest
luE in this assurance Noah went on FOR
- wears building the only refuge from tho
storm % Gods righteous indignation
which should according 60 divine deciara-
tion ovortake the wicked world. building
though che mockcry of laughter roscundef
ell around hiu. and Their with cqual con-
Tdanee taking shelter in that floating ref
Use and after hls dellverancc looking up
st che nrism8tic covenant symbol that
syerarchet the sky and seeing his sun
cheney IN God. WITH this conviction on his
heart AhrBfa went forth from bis native
Land. NOT knowing whittier he went. never
surrTenaering his hold upon its comfort
until the latest hour ~ hEs NE INSPIRED
~ the tAoueAt Joseph fpa rod neither the
Jealousy % hts brethren nor To, darkness,
- the plt Mt Dothan. nor yet the fury az
phaTs oh's officer ard the Incarceration IN
Ees pt but went on from honor 20 honor
unlu riascd and roae&. and neckfar~d hv
The -eleniiug king he rote ln the second
chariot ~ che ustEcn. Ruoyed NJ by thiS
rnarvvIovs srutA Moss stood uuHauntsa
a. shs hank ~ ths iinp8sSahl sea and
Joshua enrc77r1ssed the walls % the
Doomed 1rrtcrr even fh~ fnll ervrn
times sccoTjIug t1 rhe heavenly command
ana Gideon w.ta Lla bttte hand ~ Nao srd
withoat striking hew put % route Al
amy % over inl oeo Msasanitss. ana sam.
us, fathrons.a saai and anelnted David 70
- king over Israel ana ts-slsh proclaimed
with supeThuFnaa accuracy TIE corning
~ ~