The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-12

son NJ the metropolitan Church.
! The sermon yesterday morning at the
! Metropolitan Methodist Episcopal Church
was delivered by Rev. DR.. Wilson. and was
( founded upon the tenth chapter Of the Acts
! Of Apostles, verse ;.
Dr. Wilson. in the course Of his sermon.
said that this chapter sets before US one
Of the critical events Of the history Of the
! church. Even the embarrassment that
/ must have surrounded the fallen Roman
| soldier did not prevent him from sending
/ his prayers up TO the Eternal. It had been
I the custom OF this man not only to pray
/ but TO bring his household. as near as
/ possible, into the presence Of the Eternal
! showing that his love was not 4 narrow
/ love. but a broad sympathy. seeking the
] good Of humanity. God is not unmindfui
! Of that man; heaven is interested in him;
! his prayers have been heard. 1t is the
/ law of the kingdom that he who follows
/ the light which he has shall have clearer
light, and he who does his duty today 10
! the BEST OF his knowledge shall be the
I better for it tomorrow.
Who is better qualified to open the door
| to the glory Of God than man who has
| been inspired with the light OF God?
DIT. Wilson went on to say that mes
sengers come unasked and unbdden. so
far as men are concerned. The demands
Of God came always in unlOoked-for times
and men. II is 10 man that God has given
the power to bring the world into better
paths. God has turned over the work Of
hfrrfFr nHHaf.a
Of the brotherhood may be upon him: the
letters Of prejudice may hamper him. the
remembrance OF unworthiness may pain
him. the smell OF the tanners trade nay
cling 70 his dress, ard yet God has re-
served for him the lofty privilege of
bringing men TO a knowledge OF the highest
truth, Of righting the wrongs Of ages. vi
leading the world out Of the shadows into
the clear light
You must give a broad definition to
that word ministry said the speaker.
Once to Joshua the angel appeared out
side the walls OF Jericho. but the battles
for the progress Of humanity are for men.
God has turned over the ministries OF the
world TO the common man, the man OF
inhTmties. whose mind is sluggish to
grasp the truth, and whose heart is pos
sessed Of old traditions. Unto man is
given the opportunity 10 open the door
unto the king and put the human hand
into the clasp Of the pierced hand Of our
Saviour and rejoice in larger liberty as
q child OF God. God has given over TO
man the reconstruction Of society. of min
lstratiOns to men, and, mind you. he
means a. broad ministry. The victory that
is TO be wrought today is not to be
wrought by angels. but By men. It is for
them to draw the sword for justice: it
is for them to go out into the highways
with the sword. and advance love. liberty,
and charity.
THE ministry Of the world is not for
angels but for men, and such men as we
are. Once for Elijah the angels spread the
feast. but now for the discouraged and the 4
faint. men must provide the table. Once /
for Peter an angel opened the prison gate, |
but now men must unbar the doors of I'M /
Just and debasing conditions and lead the /
way to larger liberty. once an angel told /
the story Of the resurrection. but now VIC
must hasten to all the world and publish .
the good tidings.
Jesus took upon himself not the form of /
an angel but that Of man. when he came .
and suffered and died, so he could show us
how to minister 10 mortal and sinnin man
II the angels Of God could come into our
homes, and could lead our children into III.
ways OF God. then cur homes would be
Il is for you and me to do this; to do the
ministeriRg to man. He who is to do the
work should be one who if he has sinned,
has also wept. Unto such. God has com
mitted the ministry Of reconciliation and
al holy ministries. But the man whom the
world is needing is the man renewed, bet
ter in every sphere. II God has honored
us by giving to US such a chance. he means
that we are 10 be at our best for the task
he sets US. that is clear.
Brethren. Cornelius is looking your way
is calling for you. II angels could do
your work it would be done well. make
sure Of that; no place would be wanting
The worker. The age is waiting for you
10 come. The burdens and cares Of men
are heavy unless you lift them. The wall
Of sin will rise 70 heaven and the wrongs
hat have long outlived their day will curse
he world unless you answer the call. The
conquest OF the world is waiting you: there
is no need Of failure.
"Oh. men-frail. composed about with
with the embarrassment Of a
Disappointing history hail you today Il
Is by heavens direction that Cornelius is
sending for you. Arise, Out Of your sleep
awake, The messengers are already al
-our door. Arise; arise, The greatest
honor in the world is to help God and
-our age. You have but a little time to
crye.
II you have not the surname which wit
lesses to your peniterce for failure TO
our faith iu Christ. and TO your reception
u the sanctifying the empowering. of the
Holy Ghost then weep. believe, look up
nd. answering 10 the call. 90 on your mis-
ion and prove your right to the honor
Il heavens mention. I'd rather have your
hauces today than TO stand with the an
GELS, ia rather fight for the victory. con-
cious that we met the opportunity and re- .
possibility Of life right we'll"
A CHURCH DEDICATED.