The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-11-18
EBRAHAM'S BLESSING
AND ITS CHIEF PURPOSE,

The Reverend J.. G. Hornins. pastor OF
the Maple Avenue Reformed church,
preached on The Blessing Of Abraham ana
Its Purpose" taking as the basis of thought
Genesis XII. >. And I will make of thee =
great nation. and I will bless thee and max.
thy name great. and thou shalt be a bless-
ing In part, he said:
The divine call which summoned Abra-
nam TO so out from a known land into an
unknown region and to assume the leader
snip OF a new enterprise for the race was
one u the epOchs OF human history. IL
marks the beginning of Il new influence up
or indirectly. the founding Of the Jewish
nation. the promise Of the Messiah and the
establishment Of his kingdom. Of the in.
crease Of which there shall be no end. Few
events in history have had such far-reachinz
consequences as this call OF a righteous
nan
Abraham was called 20 this mission. not
simply on his own account. but for the good
of others. He was not only TO receive good.
but he was 10 minister to the good of 9th
ers. He was not only to be blessed himself.
but he was TO be a blessing to Others. He
was to be the aimouer of divine gifts. He
was to be the agent in the hands of God
for difusfnG among men wherever he went
the commands. the promises. the revela-
tons. the blessings unto him
His name was to be great. but il was 10 be
great because in him all the families OF
earth were to he blessed. He was endowed
with q great heritage. but il was not sim
ply FOR himself TO keep and enjoy. but 90 be
HANDED over to his fellows and his poster
lily.
This event in Abraham'> life reveals the
purpose OF divine blessings. He was blessed
III order that he might be a blessing Man
is the recipient OF gifts that he might bs
the dispenser of gifts among his fellows.
He is given advantage hat he might be OF
advantage 10 others. This principle accords
with all of Gods dealings with mankind
Illustrations OF this truth multiply in all
directions. The sun was made a burning orb
OF light and heat not merely on its own ac-
count, but for the sake OF the solar sys-
tem Of which II is the center. 1t was made
10 shine for other worlds. TO illumine yon-
der moon with silyery light. to impart a
mellow glow y twfnkling stars. to give to
the planets light and heat, life and growth.
frGitfulness and SiadneSs Tit sun Is light
To tighten.
The rivers OF the earth are swollen by
countless tributaries. as from their noun
tain heights they flow down into the val
ieyS in order that they might water broad
plains and ~fertilize barren lands, and at
last pour their watery wealth Into the
~boundleSS ocean The ocean IL made broad
and deep in order that IL may bear ships
upon its bosom. warm cold regions with it's
gun streams and return to land again In
rain and showers the wealth of water
which the great rivers pour into its faith
onless depths- As We look over the earth.
with its majestic mountains. scanned with
their wealth Of mineral. with its broad and
fertile valleys teeming with grain and Laden
with rich fruitag- and with all manner Of
living t~hinss-as we see all these we read
the purpose of God In them all. that they
We're made for man.
In the history OF nations Wa find This
truth written large. The people OF Israel
were blessed above the nations round
about. They were multiplied In numbers
they were given Il rich and fruitful land. to
them was given the revelation OF God and
Of their blood was born the Savior and Re
deemer of the world. They We're blessed
and became a blessing to ali peoples of all
chmes and OF all times. Notable among
modern nations stands England and Amer
lea. Richly have they been blessed in lands
and dominion. ab~undantly In the things OF
earth and the things of heaven. They have
likewise been a blessing in the extension OF
the arts and sciences. but above all in The
diffusion Of Christianity and its civilization
among the nations.
More strikingiy is this truth exemplined
lit the growth and progress of the Chris
tian Church. From that humble beginning
in the land Of Judah there issued a stream
made glad the heritage Of our God. Horn
Of the spirit OF The living God on Pents-
costs bright morn. the church has multi
piled in numbers and power until It's trans
forming Influences. touching men and ma
tons. have been felt in the uttermost parts
Of the earth. The church il fulfilling the
mission of the founder. who came not 10 be
ministereo unto. hut to minister.
What * true of the churches of Jesus
christ * true of any living branch OF the
body of believers. Whatever blessings We
have and 10 enjoy as a body Of Christ's fol-
lowers are ours for the purpose that we
may be 4 blessing to others. The divine
right and mission 81 any church consist in
this. that II is and shall be a blessing To
the individual. To- the community. the city.
tn the state. to the nation. 10 the world