Arizona republican., 1900-10-22
THE SYNODS' BIG DAY
An Eloquent Sermon by the
 Rev. John Gass
A New Mexico Minister Created a Coed Impression on His Audience sunday-Today's Program of the Presbyterian Meeting.

' Sunday was the third and the most
 important day in the meeting of the Presbyterian synod of New Mexico at the First Presbyterian church.
 The morning service was productive | of a genuine treat in the address of the Rev. John Class of Silver City. N. NJ. Occasions have been rare when more interesting speakers than Mir. Gass have appeared before local congregat ations. His audience was a very large one, tax ing the full capacity of the church. The invocation was offered by Rev. George Logic of Flagstaff. The morning scrip tUre lesson was read by Rev. Charles Cook, who has for thirty years been missionary among the Pima Indians, and prayer vas offered by Rev. pr. Lukens Of New York.
 The Rev. Mir. Gass chose for his theme "A Testing Time" using as a text the first chapter of the Song of Solomon.
 | The speaker began his discourse with a brief description of the song Of Solo mon. showing that to the casual reader the book might convey no idea what ever of spiritual or other truths, and in his nasty judgment he might wonder that il had found place in the Bible, as so little of sense appears on the sur face. But such judgment is no more worthy of consideration than that of one WhO ignorant of mathematics, de- clares there is no sense in a geometri- cal theorem or a problem in quaGratics." said Mr Class. But to the careful student this book has become, not only the most beauti- fuI of pastorals. but it's words are sweeter than honey to the taste, and more to be desired than sold or silver. The poem is not only one of the mos exalted pieces of literature but it teaches a great spiritual truth. Let us glance at the story upon which the poem Is based, being an experience in Solomon's life.
 Following he custom of eastern non archs of that time he had gone for a summer outing in a beautiful sequest- cred spot in GaliIee. Surrounded by his attendants court officers. and a great retinue Of servants. We can easily inn ag'nJ that his camp presented an i'm posing spectacle.
 Not far distant dweIt the heroine of the poem, a shepherd maiden who is en- gag q to a shepherd boy. Being discoV- cred by the court women. she is lured into the presence of the king. who is charmed with her beauty and nobility of soul and at once tries to turn the heart of the simple maiden away from her lover and win it for himself.
 This is the story of the text and the lesson [ sec in it is that this was a test ing time for this innocent shepherd maiden. The thought I would bring to you this morning. my brethsrn of the synod, is that this is d testing time of our beloved church in our two terri tories, CT what We as a church must contend with in this new work. If my Interpretation Of the text be correct, that the maiden represents the church of Jesus Christ solomon, with his at tempts to lure her away, may repre- sent the opposition to the church, and the absent lover tending his flocks in the Galileln hills. may be fit type of our Lord himself, then there are three lessons that our young and weak synod may learn from it.
 In the first place she is assailcd by ridicule. having been omered the first position in that magnificent kingdom and ches love of solomon in his unriV- aled splendor and glory, she pines for the love and fellowship of her ignoble unknown. nameIess shepherd lover. and the court women, used to the flatteries and deceits of royalty, cannot under stand the simplicity and beauty of soul of this unsophisticated rustic maiden. and consequently subject her to the bitJerest ridicule. IL was never intended that we should gain heaven without a battle and ridicule is one Of the strongest weapons the world can use against a Christian.
 It is a splendid one when used in righteous cause. as Elijah. or Job. or Paul used it, for it has humbled to the dust many a proud and naughty soul.
 Political parties understand the power of ridicuIe. and men who are great, sincere and noble statesmen are held up to the gaze of the laughing, nOcking multitude.
 And so satan also employs the wea- pon with most telling effect against the church of Jesus Christ, and many Christian has lost heaven because he could not stand the fire of r.dicule.
 Our Lord himself tasted the bitter cup when He~od dressed him in a robe suggestive of royalty and placed a crown upon his brow. This was Her od's cartoon and PHate, taking up the idea of ridicule exhibited over his crucifed body the Inscription This is the King of the Jews"
 Many a one within the bounds of this synod has fallen from the Chris tian life because he did not have the grace and stamina to stand against ridicule.
 In the second place the. maiden was aesailaG hv fatterV
 The arrows of ridicule have gone wide of the mark. and now the king tries the art of flattery. which is one of the most insidious influences and the hardest to combat. |
 If the blaze of ridicule cannot con- quer he will try what virtue there is in the fumes of flattery. ''Tis time to fear when tyrants seem to kiss {
 Society lures the Christian with : promise of exalted position and leader I -ls- C