Newport weekly independent., 1901-09-06

of the everlasting song, the song cf victory, when we shall be more than conquerors? Had we not better be- gin the rehearsal on earth? "Thcy shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the mist of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them to living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes,"
 But then we must have that other olive branch, peace with man. Now, it is very easy to get up a quarrel. There are gunpowdery Christians all around us, and one match of provoca- ton will set them off. It is easy enough to get up a quarrel. But, my brother, do you not think you had Had not you better make an apOl- ogy? Had not you better submit to a little humilia tion? 'Oh," you say, until that man takes the first step I will never be at peace with him. Nothing will be done until he is ready to take the first step!" You are a pretty Christian. When would this world be saved if Christ had not taken the first step? We were in the wrong. Christ was in the right, all right and forever right. And yet He took the first step. And instead of going and getting lnotty scourge with which to whip your antagonist, your enemy, you hau better get up on the radiant mount where Christ suffered for His enemies and just take an olive branch, not stripping off the soft, cool. fragrant leaves leaving them all on, and then try on hem that Gospel switch. It will not hurt them, and it will save you Peace be with God, Feace with man If you cannot take those two doc- trines, you are no Christian.
 Best be the tie that binds
 Our hearts in Christian love;
 The fellowship of kindred minds
 Is like to that above.
 From sorrow, toll and pain
 And sin shall be free,
 Ard perfect love ard friendship reign
 Through all eternity
 You may have had accumulation of sorrow and misfortune. They come in fioclls, they come in herds, upon your soul, and yet l have to tell you that this religion can console you, that it can help you, that it can deliver you if nothing else will. Do you tell me that the riches and the gain of this world can console you? How was it with the ecclesiastic who had such fondness for money that when he was sick he ordered a basin of gold pieces brought to him, and he put his gouty hands down among the gold pieces, cooling his hands off in them and the rattle and rolling of these gold pieces were his amusement and entertainment. An, the gold and sil yer, the honors, the emoluments of this world, are a poor solace for perturbed spirit. You want some- thing better than this world can give. A young prince, when the children came around to play with him, re- fused to play. He said: "I will play only with kings" And it would be supposed that you would throw away all other solace before this regal sat- isfaction, this imperial joy.
 The hill of Zion yields
 A thousand sacred sweets
 Before we reach the heavenly fields
 Or walk the golden streets.
 City of eternity, to thy bridal halls
 From this prison would I flee.
 An, glory! That's for you and me!
 My text brings us one step further. It says: "Go forth into the mount and fetch olive branches and pine branches and myrtle branches and palm branches and branches of thick trees" Now, you know very we'll I make this remark under the head of branches of thick trees-that booth or arbor made of slight branches would not stand. The first blast of the tempest would prostrate it. So then the booth or arbor must have four stout poles to hold up the arbor or booth, and hence for the building of the arbor for this world we must have stout branches of thick trees. And so it is in the Gospel ar Dor. Blessed be God that we have a brawny Christianity, not one easily upset. The storms of life will come upon us, and we want strong doc- urine; not only love, but justice; not only invitation, but warning. It is a mighty Gospel; it is an Omnipotent Gospel. These are the stout branches of thick trees.
 We'll, my friends, you see I have omitted one or two points not be- cause I forgot to present them, but because I have not time to present them 1 have shown you here is the