The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-08-20
BY THB BLOOD
OF THE LAMB
Eloquent Sermon by Rev. DR.. Ber-
nard MacMackin in Penn Ave
nue. Baptist Church.

Rev. DR.. Bernard MacMackin, of
Philadelphia, last night occupied the
pulpit of the Penn Avenue Baptist
church and preached an eloquent SER
mon, taking as his theme, And they
overcome them by the blood of the
lamb"
DIR. MacMackin dwelt particularly
upon the purifying effects of the blood
of Jesus Christ, of it's powers in effac-
ing evil deeds and in strengthening
man for a better life.
He spoke generally of the sufferings
and tribulations of mortals ana said:
Il do not know of any realm in which
the way to success is not by trial and
tribulations, for time, at least Look
even at the plant domain. The other
day, while walking in a garden, during
the time of greatest heat, while the
foliage was suffering from a drought,
looked at the different sprouts, scared
and yellow, and the petals of the
leaves, torn and withered and 1
thought that even in that calm,
peaceful world there is trouble and
desolation.
Then, how much more does this
rule hold true in the realm of moral,
of spiritual life. There are many de-
mons in life, my friend, whom you
must meet. There are the impurities
of life; there is dishonesty, vice, the
vengeful feelings, scores of evil spirits
who vex and harass mankind. All
these must be met by those who are
struggling to reach the mountain
heights of eminence. And, if van
than hp 70 n
grovel in the depths with these arch
demons and feel their heels upon his
neck.
But there is a future opened in
the house of David, in which men can
be cleaned of their impurities. And
now there are three things l would
point out to you: The blood of Jesus
Christ is the weapon of victory. 1t
gives a man another chance in life and
grants the loor broken sinner a moral
start.
"Who is there in mortal realms who
has not at some time in his life strug-
gled and fallen? We all know how
black are the pages that came to us
so clean. But they can be washed clean
by the blood of Christ, and, after once
repenting, we can then have a fresh
start.
THE blood of the Lamb also impels
energy in man, and fills him with the
determination to start anew, and lead
a cleaner, better life. 1t renews him,
and, in fact, is a great instrument in
regeneration.
without the blood of Jesus Christ,
we are only creatures of one little day.
Every day we are making additions
to our record in the book of life; let
us see to it that they are every day
better ones, and that our record daily
grows better.
Il remember an instance, when we
were conducting services and asking
for converts, we reclaimed one young
man. He was from the continent, and
a graduate of one Of the great con-
tinental universities. He was a youth
of good family, good bringing up,
naturally fine education and possessed
of all the advantages which his birth
and bringing up could afford.
"And yet this young man, entering
upon life with such great advantages,
was unable to resist temptation and
like many another before him, fell. He
fell into the depths of vice and re-
mained there until he was a wreck,
physically and morally. He emerged
black with sin, so black, indeed, that
his own family had difficulty in know
ing him; certainly so black that they
were unwilling that anyone else should
know him, and for that reason they
sent him to this country, where for
awhile he continued in his evil ways.
"He was present at our Divine SER
vices, when we spoke on the powers
of the blood of the Lamb.
"At the close, he came to me and
said, 'Dr. McMackin, l was brought
up with good religious surroundings.
I studied the Bible, and yet never be-
fore did it occur to me what magnlf-
cent effect the blood of Christ can
have on a man. l knew that It was
great in its purifying qualities, but
never did the wonderful energizing and
strengthening powers occur to me as
they do nOw.'
And now, my friends, after having
once washed in the sacred blood, we
can stand with outstretched arms,
waiting for the future life. I beseech
you to take that blood and then your
sins will be cleanesd, you will have
fresh strength, and the doors of the
future win be thrown wide open.
"Oh, my friends, wash in the blood
of the Lamb. Angels above are urg-
ing you on, and beckoning to you, to
do better deeds, and so enter the king
dom Of heaven, which is ever open to
those clean and pure in spirit"