The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-03-17
REV. DR. PHILLIPS SERMON
INTER ESTING DISCOURSE AT THE
 CHURCH OF THE EREDEEMER.

Rev. pr. Watson L. Phillips of the Church of the Redeemer preached an Interesting sermon yesterday morning and the text was taken from John 14-2: If it were not so, I would have told you" In opening the sermon and in speaking of the chapter in which the text is found about Christ comfort ing His disciples with the hope of heaven, Rev. Dr. Phillips said:
 There are few scenes in our Lords life so filled with pathetic and tragic interest. It was in the upper room. Supper being ended" Jesus had robed Himself in servants garb and perform ed the act of condescension which taught His disciples that they were to go with Him to the extreme limit of loves demand in their ministry to each other and the world; then, having gent ly rebuked Peters ignorant self-eon- fidence, He turned to the premonished and sadly expectant group to utter those final words which break forth from His deepest heart.
 Where in all history can you find more striking or thought compelling picture? Grouped around Him who Is about to die are the eleven men who are to shake the world; but they reck nothing of what is to be, they are busy with the mystery and growing depres- sion of the present moment. There, nearest the Lord, was John sad-eyed and anxious, love suggesting many questions but his heart too heavy for speech and the just -silenced Peter, with dropping head, chagrined by the rebuke Ghat had answered his ardenJ boasts Philip, Thomas, and Judas-not the traitor-bursting with the ques- tons which were soon to call out some of the Lords dearest self-revelations there were the half dozen other heroic men who were to climb through doubt and fear and suffering, and the Spirits amounting, to faith and power and VIC tory and martyrs crowns, every sold of them thrilling with wonder and throb- bing with a pain that knew not it's cause nor could find expression in be- coming speech
 And there are few of Jesus address es of which we have reports, so charg- ed with spiritual energy and meaning. He threw off all restraint and reserve, made the loftiest claims for Himself without evasion or figure of speech, and let them look into the calm deeps ot his self consciousness. He saw before Him n company of men, His disciples, soon to be plunged into deepest consterna- tion and grief, shortly after to go to a perilous ministry, some to speedy martyrdom all to privat1on and pefse- scution and hardship. His tender shep- herds heart is filled with yearning pity, hut His clear knowledge of what thls hour means to them and to the world will not suffer Him to shrink or veil His message. He assures them ot comforting sustaining presence ana gives them the definite promise of all necessary instruction. But ne does not send them out with Wade Mecum n hand, in which they may find precepts and directions covering every eoncelVa- b1e situation and revelations whose fuIlness leaves no room for the eXerclse of their own judgment.
 The text is pledge covering all other subjects of inquiry as we'll as the mat ter of the rooms in the Fathers nome and the fellowships of the future lire That was to them necessary truth at the moment, and truth which lay De- yond experience and logic, and TOT that reason was uttered with ters dlrectness, but it was not all the truth they were to need It was not the only suo]ect they would afterwards think about ana Jes1s' assurance runs out along the line of all possible future need and registers Q nrornise not to leave them in 1gnor- ance or uncertainty.
 It is also the expression of the divine attitude towards all men and of the eternal method of human enlighten- mert God is not the giver or statues and rules that are to keep man In the straight road without his own volltlon, and to lead him without his own eftort directly into the perfect day. lie IS the nromiser of necessary light and truth, above all He is the respecter of the nrerogatives and powers Of the being He has made In His own image ana endowed with reason and freedom or choice.
 Tn closing the preacher said: When the way is rough and steep; when the night has fallen hard and cold, ana one bv one the stars have gone out; when vo,,r home is hushed because the dead is there: when hope grows weak and compJetions are denied; when prayer seems like the helpless beating of broken wings, and you stand dumbly wandering if the heart of the universe has ceased to beat, if He you have called Father still is and is the reward ar of faith, and how such things can work together for good, then, if your ears are trained to catch your Masters voice you will hear Him say Eff it were not so I would have told you
 And when life is full of song and fruition; when the skies are blue and the heart is light, and the simple joy of living in Gods shining, fragrant world makes each new day new glory, and YOU ask ifs all this richness and fullness is the expression of the intin- fife love- and if it all can be for you, then. let your glad soul listen to the voice of the interpreter and you will hear again, eff it were not so, l would have told you; these things have shown you that My joy might remain i,7 vou and that your joy might be Sull.
 And in the routine and commonplace of average life with its mingled trag- edy and comedy. it's smiles and tears,