The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-07

ROv. DIR. JERE WITHERSPOON.
this of the seed which grew up while
the Sewer Slept and arose and went His
way. This parable teaches the mysteri-
Gus growth OF the principle Of religion
In the soul. In Scripture there arc thlce
uses OF the expression The Kingdom OF
Heaven" or the Kingdom of Cod"
First, Ii means, as used by John the Dap-
list and by our Lord, in the beginning q
His ministry, the new dispensation as
contrasted with the old. Second. II
meant the visible Church Of Col. shat or
gsniEed body which bears the name. pos
sesses the Spirit, and carries OH the work
Of Her Lord.
The Church, I'm one sense. Is a great
visible organization with which the h's-
torisn. the theologian, and the sratis.ician
can deal. The Church may hide her
light but cannot hide herself.
Third. This par able shows the use Of
the phrase. 1.-The Kingdom of Heaven
in the sense OF the reign of the principle
OF grace In the soul. AS seeds In the
earth grow. we know not how, so the
growth Of religion within. is mystery
The work of the Church is a work Of
faith We cannot tell how simple preach
ing and praying shah win souls any
more than the farmer can explain how
the soil can receive a seed and Weld an
decreased number of grains. but We know
that II is so. Let rs then faithfully I'M
pioy the means wrhm our possession and
SOW beside all wafeEs, looking to God TO
give the increase.
EVENING SERMON.
At the evening service DR.. Wither-
spoons text was Acts. viii, &c. Subject;
'Hindrances to Confession" He said:
Two earnest men in the first century
met on the way from Jerusalem 10 the
South One is an inquirer the other is a
guide. One has a question TO ask; the
other has the answer TO SiVe. The in
quirer asks. What binders rne to be bap-
tlzed? The evangelist replies: IF thou
belieyest with all thine heart thou may
est" There were 10 hindrapccs save
those that might be found In the indur-
er's mind or heart. w hosoever will may
come" For one acceptance or rejection.
confession or denial of the Son of God
we are accountable. II we be seekers af-
Tar truth. as earnest as this nobeman
was. this question will be as new and
fresh for us. as If II had never before
been asked. These are some of the hin>
ORANGES that keep men from confessing
Christ:
First. Indifference. Some have no con-
Germ upon this subject. A physical in
sensibility Is an alarming symptom OF the
state of the body. so no spiritual state is
more deplorable than indifference. IL you
have no desire TO know you will never
seek the truth.
Second Another is hindered by doubt.
Some seem born with this infirmity. They
are like Nathaniel or Thomas, one with
prejudice. the other obstinate in his de-
mand\for a certain sort OF proof. Christ
deals tenderly with the doubter. Ma
thaniel was told TO come and see.' and
Thomas was allowed TO handle his Lord 1
wounded body.
Third Some are hindered by desire &c
investigate further. They wish 10 seth
all the problems and clear away all the
mysteries. Religion. they forget is ar
appeal to faith and her essentials are
exceeding simple
Fourth. Timidity keeps others away
from confession.
Fifth. Another says my unworhines'
Is nv hindrance. Jesus calls not the right
cous but sinners to repentance. We are
invited TO come as we are
Sixth. Procrastination is a hndrance I,
thousands To the Spirit who would wo'
them 10 come just now they say: go
Spirit. 90 thy way; some more conven
dent day on thee I'll call"
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH.