The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-23
REV. j. ID. RANKIN'S SERMON.
A Denver Divine at the First Baptist
Church.

The sermon at the First Baptist Church
yesterday morning was by DR.. ]. d.
Rankin, of Denver, Col DR.. Rankin is
known as one of the forceful speakers in
the United Presbyterian Church. large
congregation was out to hear him yester-
day. The programme of music contained
a solo, Jerusalem" by Miss Marcia Craft,
of Boston, which was much enjoyed.
DR. Rankin spoke from the words of
Isaiah, which read: ''As one whom his
mother comforteth so will 1 comfort you"
The sermon in part was as follows: Our
text calls attention to the motherly
methods with which God treats us. In the
Concentric circles of pearl we see the
orbit in which the planets move and in the
concentric circles of a mothers love the
orbit in which moves the motherhood of
God His motherhood appears in the gen
tleness of His methods. Gentleness is a
distinguishing attribute of truest woman
hood and the highest attainment of woman
ly character. 'Gentleness of woman is an
expression often heard. One of the surest
proofs of Unborn womanliness is a gentle
voice and gentleness of manner. In deal
ing with children, while it characterizes
many fathers, gentleness is pre-eminent-
ly mOtherly trait A father oftener COM
mands; a mother entreats; he uses au-
thOrity, she persuasion.
Goods treatment of His children is dis
tlnguished by its gentleness. 1t is not in
the earthquake, nor fire. nor storm, but
in the still small voice that He came to
the stirring prophet of Gilead in the noun
tain, came to teach him that by gentle
ness rather than force God carries on His
work Christ came to show US what God
is. He moved among men invested with an
atmosphere OF calmneSS and gentleneSS.
o. rJtle children f1Ocked about Him won
by His gentle spirit and gentlenesS of man
ner and the weary and troubled came to
Him and found peace
THE motherliness of God appears in the
ease with which He adapts himself to the
capacity of His children What mother
latiOn of truth to Israel in those early
ages. 1t was the childhood of the race.
So far as religion went they were infants.
Had He given them truth in ABSTRACT state
mentS, they could not have been under
stood. Therefore, like a mother He taught
them in pictures. The whole system of
sacrifices, the rites of publication, the cere-
monies Of their worship were but pictures
with which He taught these truths God
soOths us in our troubles like a mother
In quiet, loving, Sympah1Zlng manner the
mother Gains those little storms of sOr-
row and almost drives the pain from aches
and bruises. We have sorrows and trou-
bleS and need comfort and God comes in
His motherly character and bushes our
grief with gentle sympathy"
The speaker went on to draw COMPARE
son between the manner in which a mother
Gains a sick child and the way in which
God comforts those who have suffered He
said: There is no love so unselfish as the
mOtherly love of God for the race" In
conclusion the speaker said Il think it is
Talmage who says. He rocks US to sleep
like a mother Do you remember the old
cradle in your home? 1t was nothing like
these modern patented self-rockerS, but a
heavy, hOmely thing made of boards
pianed smooth. Hush moment YOu can
hear the sound of the rocking now and the
sweet voice of your mother hUmmmg
simple cradle song. You have heard Patti
since, but you have never heard singer
sweet nor a song as soothing. You
feared to go to sleep in the dark unless
she would sing to you. After all these
years of toll and trouble your heart some
times yearnS to be huShed to rest by that
sweet voice humming its simple lullaby.
l rejoice in the motherhood of God because
1t promises that He will rock me to my
long sleep as my mother rocked ne back
yOnder in my old home. / would fear to
enter that long sleep, rocked on the surges
and could 1 not hear His cradle song call
ing When thou passeth over the waters l
will be with thee and through the floods,
they shall not overflow thee Hearing
that voice l cannot fear the darkness, but
my heart will cry Yet, though | walk
through deaths dark vale yet will T fear
no i'll for Thou art with me and Thy rod
ard staff still comfort me- But first let
me repeat to Him what she taught me at
the cradle side: Now I lay me down to
sleep I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep.
If | should die before / wake l pray Thee
Lord, my soul to take
Like a mother God watches over us
while we sleep. How the mother watches
her sleeping child coming often to see if
the covers are properly tucked in; to see
if it is too warm or too cold So God
watches over our bodies they lie in their
long sleep. He SAYS the very dust of His
saints is dear to Him. To His care we
can commit our bodies and those we love,
knowing that His mother eye VIII watch
them fill the glad resurrection daX.'