The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-12-03

( "
It's that hereafter may shine as jewels
in the diadem of her Lord.
1t is not my purpose to-day, beloved
ones, to speak to you Of the glorious
privileges and opportunities that are
yours for public worship 10 this most
beautiful Temple, consccrated to His
service, but rather to have you remcm-
her what q glorious work we have to do
for Him; work which being accom-
pllshed by hearts fired with love. will
not only promote the Kingdom Of the
Lord, Jesus on earth, but will also elc-
vate the moral and Christian status ef
the whole community.
With regard to the ordained ministers
Of Christs church. would say that
every true one is sent forth by God. He
Is put In trust with His Word and is
sent to proclaim It to others.
must, however. sorrowfully confess
that they are often-tlmes to blame;
lacking in wisdom, arbitrary, teaching
their own speculations, and too often:
"Those whose office is
To preach the Gospel, let the Gospel
sleep; sstgfaa
And pass their own inventions of in
stead.
The sheep meanwhile, poor witless
ones, return
From pasture, fed with wind; and what
For their excuse, they do not see their
harm?
Christ said not to His first csonventtcle,
Go forth and preach imposturcs to the
world
But gave them truth to build on"
The True Minister.
Yes. in the work they are to do. they
need the highest qualities. the Creates.
courage and zeal. Their office Is not n
human invention. They are not mere
lecturers, philosophers. or teachers of
their own speculatIons; still less are
they public performers whose business
It is to amusc 1anguid congregations.
They have been sent 10 do vital
work, to deliver a definite message--the
Gospel of Jesus. This being true. they
always need your love, your sympathy
and your support.
It Is our privilege to-day to live under
the highest form of Christian civillza-
ton. Have we, at the same time, the
sincere desire TO offer Him who is our
| King the very best Of our thought, will
and affection? Shall we say to-day with
David. II will not give unto the Lord.
my God, Of that which doth cost me
nothing"
Earthly kings might come and go.
reign sioriously, then suffer and die;
but there. on throne high and imper-
ishable. there. through all vicissitudes
is seated the King of Kings. His
whole brain fills the temple. The
skirts OF that robe-just as 1t was with
the 1ncnrnate One on earth, whatsoever
touches shall be perfectly whole. Every
worshiprer, In spirit ana In truth, may
come, even IL 1t shall be with the poor
woman. in. sweet humility, and touch
the hem or the border. What more can
we do? Nay. what less can we do?
God Himself has prepared the way.
God Himself has paid the price.
God Himself reared the altar.
God Himself made the sacrifice
Eve needs must love the highest
when see It,"
20, soul! o, soul! rejoice!
Thou art Gods child indeed, for all thy
shining:
A poor weak child. yet His, and worth
the winning
With Saviour eyes and voice."
Can you resist the appeal which
marks Gods love, Gods care, when He
calls to you yourself. and asks, "Why
oh. why. wilt thou die? Be to-day thine
own messenger, thine own apostle of
love-come back to me, fetch thyself
back from the far, the homeless. the
havcrlcss Shore" What answer shall
we give to this gracious voice? Is
there no response, none now, In souls
SO made as to rest only in God?
Yes, there is ut first n still small
voice. faint throb and stirring pass
Ing through your souls here and there,
In you and in you. Oh, hinder 1t not!
Quench not the Spirit. Fan into n great
burning flame that spark OF good de-
sire. 1t Is Christ that calls; believe the
love which pleads with you-and when
the voice says, Come unto Me: give Me
thine heart; gave myself for thee;
My death and passion gave eternal
life for thee" answer back Mt once.
NAY, but Will surely buy It OF Thee.
at price. and will not offer unto the
Lord. my God. OF that which doth cost
me nothing"
~ do not ask, o. Lord. that life may be
A pleasant road:
I do not ask that Thou wouldst take
from me
Aught of It's load:
| do not nsk that flowers should always
spring
Beneath my feet:
I know too well the poison and the sting
or things too sweet.
For one thing only, Lord, dcnr Lord,
plead,
Lead me right
Though strength should fnlter and
heart should bleed
Through Peace to Light"
ANNUAL SERMON