Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-03-01

The Rev. Jacob Birmingham preached
an excellent sermon last night to a
large congregation at St Luke's p. E.
Church. Some excellent music was
rendered. a feature being the vocal
solos OF Miss Isabel Henry. The
preachers text was taken from st.
Matthew, 4: Then was Jesus led
of the spirit into the wilderness TO be
tempted by the devil
The essential facts Of the life Of
/ Christ" he said, divide themselves
into three series. First, those facts
/ which tell of the preparation period OF
| His life Second, those which tell OF
| the first part of His work as a Re-
deemer. Finally the Passion, Resur-
! rection and Ascension.
The first period teaches the signiti-
canoe of His wonderful BIRTH Of His
development as a child and young man,
the meaning of his baptism and tempta-
! ton in the wilderness. which last event
marks the end of His preparation per
iod. The word temptation has
two-fod meaning. When attributed TO
God. it means trial for good. For the
most part when net with in Holy
Scripture, it means to entice, to pro-
woke TO sin.
SO far as the Spirits intentions were
concerned in leading Christ into the
wilderness. the object could have been
none other than good one. He want
ed Jesus to seek and secure mental and
spiritual refreshment for the great task
before him. 1t was in the solitude of
the mountain that Moses prepared for
I the work of creating a people for God.
st. Paul, after his conversion, with
| drew himself for three years, nobody
! knows where. to make ready for his
| commission to the nations. AS Jesus
was lin all things like His brethren,
! He. too, needed this retirement and
for the same reason.
One may say that these examples do
not meet his case. for he has not q
4 great work to do. Very few are called
! to be great reformers. The vast ma
/ iority must be content TO lead ordinary
| lives. yet no life is unimportant in
! Coos sight. If the value of character
is appreciated. all have important work
| to do The leading OF the Spirit is
necessary. to indicate to us from time
2
/ that we may grid up the loins Of our
minds. and search we'll the grounds Of
our faith.
! 1t is by the leading OF the Spirit that
| the church has provided a season in
which this work may be done, and by
/ the leading of this same Spirit, the in
! dividual soul who passes through the
/ holy season of Lent. will come out
! stronger character if he uses honestly
/ and well. the means Of grace that shall
/ be offered. The preacher enlarged upon
/ the duty of denying self, and making
others sharers of our joys.
Retirement for encouragement and
strength is intended to help us to meet
evil as well as do good God was
! tempted at the end Of his forty days
/ fast. The Master was prepared to meet
| Satan and so would we be if we were led
! by the Spirit The leading of the Spir-
! it is sure preparation for the tempta-
tons of the devil The temptations in
! the wilderness taught Christ what TO
| avoid and hence was a beneht 10 Him.
| His example i'm the wilderness assures
! us of His help and sympathy, nut MS
| precepts are no less clear HIS help
! and promise can be of little avail, unless
we believe that He is faithful, ana
! seek the Divine Grace, without whlch
no one is able to meet successfully the
| temptations of Satan. In order TO get
this grace we must not only believe
but follow the example of the Master.
In conclusion the Rev. Mr.. Drifting
ham dwelt upon the Importance or
making an examination to ascertain
our weaknesses. and to ask for the
corresponding grace of God; to pray
constantly; to practice self-denial and
| humility.