The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-09-13
A SERMON
Preached by Rev. W. II. Capcrs in Grace
Episcopal Church. a nde1son S g.
September 9, II 800.


>pn of great wind that blew. SO
wien they had rowcd about five and
twenty or thirty furlongs, they see
Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing
nigh unto the Ship. But he said unto
them. 1T is | be not afraid John
Vi - 20
The Sea of 'ialilcc, or, a, it is often
ca.led, the Lake Of Gcncssarct, was,
turing the prosperity Of the Holy
Land, a vcritablc Lake Michigan.
Her blue waters, restless and impa
tent, seemed to delight in being toss
ed and rolled, and even lashcd, into
foam and spray by the sudden, violent
winds that would literally dart down
from the surrounding heights upon
her sportivc waves Yet all the while
this beautiful sea was alive with every
manner Of craft, bearing the trade
from the far East to the Custom
House in Capcrnaunl.
And never was sea surrounded by
more beautiful country. "Thc
smiling landscape OF Lower Galilcc in
vitcs the easy labor Of the agricultu-
ralist. Even the highlands Of Upper
Galilee were not like those of Judca,
>ombrc, lonely, enthusiasm -kindling,
but gloriously grand, free, fresh, brac-
ing. 1t was here that Asshur
had dipped his foot in oil. In
the centres Of industry in this fertile
land, al then known trades were bust
~ carried on; the husbandman pur-
sued his happy toll on genial soil,
while by the sea, with it's unrivalled
beauty. it's rich villages and lovely re-
treats. the fisherman piled his healthy
.avucatiun.'
Such sea a. the central setting Of
such scenery is enough to inspire en-
thusiastic admiration. But the beau
ty Of the sea and the lovcIincss of the
surrounding hill and dale and noun
tain peak, are the minor attractions
Of this lovely stretch Of water. The
precious jewels of this sea have caught
the gaze Of the world, and have
brought the bcholdcrs with loving rev.
crencc upon their knees. 1t is the
lustre of these jewels that is the
crowning charm, and these jewels are
the footprints of Jesus along the Gal
ilcan shores. The central, brilliant
jewel is His footprint in the middle Of
the sea shining to teach lib a lesson
of faith-assuring us that amid the
storms Of life our Saviour is ever with
us.
No spot in all the world is so per-
fectly surrounded by the loving and
miraculous works Of God as this Sea
of Galilee. On the north coast, He
fed the five thousand. On the east
He quietcd Che spirit of the maniac,
and restored his mind. On the south.
he fed the four Thousand. On the
West, lie healed the sick, restored
sight to the blind, and made the lame
leap as hart for joy. In the sea
itself, He taught the thronging multi
tudc, making the boat His pulpit,
while tho very waves felt His presence
and obeyed His voice.
Now it is upon this hallowed sea that
we behold the disciples, separated
from their Master, wrestling with one
of those frequent wind-storms Of Cal
lice. Darkness had overtaken them;
their journey was but half ended four
more miles of toll against wind and
wave we're before them. No doubt
they longed for the presence of Jesus,
no doubt they thought upon His d.
vine powers, and missed His sweet
companionship. 1t is only natural to
suppose that such thoughts were in
their minds, and that His name was
upon their lips. Little did they
dream that in the darkness and storm
His actual presence was with them.
Ills outline, when first seen moving
along the troubled waters, startled
their senses; then each one persuaded
the other Of the reality Of the appari-
tion; fear then seized them that
spirit was their visitor; the supernat-
ural held them spell-bound. In the
crises of the storm, the stroke of the
oar lost it's vigor, the steersman slack
ened his grip upon the helm, the wind
and wases began to exercise mas
terry over the little craft, when Jesus,
in this hour Of peril, called forth, "It
is I; be not afraid
Oh, the JOY Of that moment, to re-
cognize their Saviour and Friend,
when life seemed lost! Oh, the JOY