Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1898-06-03
BLOOD AT0NEMENT.
BY 1T CHRIST DELIVERED ALL MEN
FROM BONDAGE.
Rev. DIR. Talmsge Clothes an Old story In
New Languago-sacrifice of the Defense
aalam

cldtOul
WASHINGTON, May 29.-From a scene
of old Dr. Talmage in this sermon pre-
sents the old gospel under another
phase; text, Leyiticus xiv, 5-7 And
the priest shall command that one
of the birds be killed in an earthen
vessel, over running water AS for the
living bird he shall take it and the
cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the
hyssop and shall dip them and the liy-
ing bird in the blood of the bird that
was killed over the running water and
he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be
cleansed from the leprosy seven times
and shall pronounce him clean and shall
let the living bird loose into the open
field"
The Old Testament to very many
people is a great slaughter house strewn
with the blood and bones and horns and
hoofs Of butchered animals. 1t offends
their sight; it disgusts their taste; it
actually nauseates the stomach. But to
the intelligent Christian the Old Testa-
ment is q magnificent corridor through
which Jesus advances. As he appears at
the other end Of the corridor we can
only see the outlines of his character;
coming nearer, we can descry the fea-
lures But when at last he steps upon
the platform of the New Testament,
amid the torches of evangelists and
apostles, the orchestras Of heaven an
nounce him with blast Of minstrelsy
that wakes up Bethlehem at midnight.
There were a great many cages Of
birds brought down to Jerusalem for
sacrifce-sparrows pigeons and turtle
doves. can hear them now, whistling,
caroling and singing all around about
the temple. When a leper was 20 be
cured Of his leprosy, in order to his
cleansing two Of these birds were taken.
One Of them was slain over an earthen
vessel Of running water-that is, clear,
fresh water-and then the bird was kill
ed. Another bird was then taken, tied
to a hyssop branch and plunged by the
priest into the blood of the first bird,
and then, with this hyssop branch, bird
tipped, the priest would sprinkle the
leper seven times, then unite the bird
from the hyssop branch and it woul1 go
soaring into the heavens
Now open your eyes wide, my dear
brethren and sisters, and see that that
first bird meant Jesus and that the sec
ond bird means your own soul
There is nothing more suggestive than
Gagged bird. In the down Of its breast
YOU can see the glow Of southern climes.
In the sparkle of its eye you can see the
fash of distant seas. In its voice you
can hear the song it learned in the wild
wood 1t is child Of the sky in capitiy-
ity. Now the dead bird Of my text cap
tured from the air, suggests the Lord
Jesus, who came down from the realms
of light and glory He once stood in the
sunlight of heaven. He was the favorite
of the land. He was the Kings Son
Whenever a victory was gained or
throne set up, he was the first to hear
il. He could not walk incognito along
the streets, for all heaven knew him.
For eternal ages he had 9welt amid the
mighty populations Of heaven. No holi-
day had ever dawned on the city when
he was absent. He was not like an earth
ly prince, occasionally issuing from a
palace heralded by troop Of clanking
horse guards. No He was greeted ev-
erywhere as a brother, and all heaven
was perfectly at home with him.
The Kings Son.
But one day there came word to the
palace that an insignificant island was
in rebellion and was cutting itself to
pieces with anarchy. | hear an angel
say; LET it perish. The Kings realm
is vast enough without the island. The
tributes to the King are large enough
without that. We can spare it. Not
so. " said the Prince, the Kings Son.
and see him push out one day under
the protest of a great company. He starts
straight for the rebellious island. he
lands amid the execrations OF the ln-
habitants that grow i'll violence until
the malice of earth has smitten him and
the spirits of the lost world put their
black wings over his dying head and
shut the sun ont The hawks and yul-
tures swooped upon this dove of the text
until head and breast and feet ran
blood. until under the focks and beaks
of darkness the poor thing persisted. No
wonder it was bird that was taken ana
slain over an earthen vessel OF running
water. IL was a child Of the skies lt
tvpified him who came down from heay-
en- Ia agony and blood to save our souls
Blessed be his glorious name forever +!
| notice also in my text that the bird
that was slain was clean bird Inc
text demanded that it should be. The
raven was never sacrificed, nor the cor
morant. nor the vulture 1t must be
clean bird, says the text, and 1t suggests
the pure Jesus-the holy Jesus. Al
though he spent his boyhood in the
worst village on earth, although BIAS
nhemies were poured into his ear
enough to have poisoned any one else,
he stands before the world perfect
Christ Herod was cruel, Henry VII
WIS uuclean, William III was treach-
erous. but point out a fault OF our King
Answer me, ye boys VINO knew hiiii Oii
the streets Of Nazareth Answer me, ye
miscreants who saw him die The skep-
tical tailors have tried for l,sOO years
to find out one hole in this seamless
garment, but they have not found IL
The most ingenious and eloquent infidei
of this day, in the last line of his book
nil of which denounces Christ, says
IAN ages must proclaim that among
the sons of men there is none greater
thnn Jesus" So let this bird of the text
he clean-its feet fragrant with the dew
: that it pressed, its beak carrying sprig
of thyme and frankincense, its feathers
washed in summer showers o thou
spotless Son of God, impress us with
Thy innocenceI
Thou lovely source Of true delighS
Whom /, unseen, adore
Unveil thy beauties to my sight,
That may love thee more.
None to Help.
...-t~ ,lro n, fnorard IN This first