Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-03-09
Lastly: Consider the shepherds fold.

Lastly: Consider the shepherds fold.
The time of sheep shearing was a very
glad time. The neighbors gathered to-
gether, and they poured wine and
danced for joy. The sheep were put
in place inclosed by wall, where 1t
was very easy to count them and know
whether any of them had been taken
by the jackals or dogs. The Enclosure
was called the sheep-fold Good news
l have to tell you, in that our Lord the
Shepherd has sheep-fold, and those
who are gathered in it shall never be
struck by the storm, shall never be
touched by the jackals of temptation
and trouble. 1t has a high wall-so
high that no troubles can get in-so
high that the joys can not get out. How
glad the old sheep will be to find the
lambs that left them good many years
ago! Millions of children in heaven!
Oh, what merry heaven it will make!
Not many long meter psalms there.
They will be in the majority, and will
run away with our song, carrying it up
to rtill higher point of ecstasy. Oh,
there will be shouting. II children on
earth clapped their hands and danced
for joy, what will they do when. to the
gladness of childhood on earth, is add
ed the gladness OF childhood in heav-
en-?
1t is time to get over these morbid
ideas Of how we shall get out Of this
xynVld VNvv roll oinn n
dertaker planning collins and driving
hearses. Your religion smells of the
varnish of funeral casket. Rather
let your religion today come and show
you the sheepfold that God has provid-
ed for you. All, you say, there is
river between this and that. / know
it; but that Jordan is only for the sheep
washing, and they shall go up on the
other banks snow white. They follow
the great Shepherd. They heard his
voice long ago. They are safe now
one fold and one Shepherd!
Alas for those who are finally found
outside the Enclosure. The night Of
their sin bowls with jackals; they are
thirsting for their blood. The very
moment that lamb may be frisking
upon the hills, bear may be looking
at it from the thicket.
In June, 1915, there was very noble
party gathered in house in St. James
square, London. The prince regent
was present, and the occasion was
made fascinating by music and ban
quoting and by jewels. While a qua
drille was being formed, suddenly all
the people rushed to the windows.
What is the matter? Henry Percy had
arrived with the news that Waterloo
had been fought, and that England had
won the day. The dance was aban-
doned; the party dispersed; lords, la
dies and musicians rushed into the
street, and in fifteen minutes from the
first announcement of the good news
the house was emptied of all its guests.
Oh, We who are seated at the banquet
of this world, or whirling in it's gay
cites and frivolities, if you could hear
the sweet strains of the Gospel trum-
pet announcing Christ's victory over
sin and death and hell, you would rush
forth, glad in the eternal deliverance.
The Waterloo against sin has been
fought, and our commander-in-chief
hath won the day. Oh, the joys of this
salvation! do not care what meta
phor, what comparison you have; bring
it to me, that may use it. Amos
shall bring one smile, Isaiah another,
John another. Beautiful with pardon.
Beautiful with peace. Beautiful with
anticipations. Or to return to the pas
toral figure of my text, come out Of
the poor pasturage of this world into
the rich fortunes Of the Good Shep-
herd.
The shepherd of old used to play
beautiful music, and sometimes the
sheep would gather around him and
listen. Today my heavenly shepherd
calls to you with the very music Of
heaven, bidding you to leave your sin
and accept his pardon. Oh. that ali
this flock would hear the piping of the
Good Shepherd.