Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-05-10
OLD TESTAMENT WEDDING
Sunday Discourse by DR.. Chapman. the
Noted Pastor-EyaHgeIist.
The Love Romance OF Isaac and Rebskah
Retoid-Teaehes Lesson OF Divine
Providence.


. THE Rev. J. Wilbur Chapman, d. D., is
now the most distinguished and best
known evangelist in the country. lie was
second only To DIR. Talmage, but since the
death OF that famous preacher DR. Chap
man has the undisputed possession of the
Pulpit as the preacher TO influence the
plain people. HIS services as an evangeI-
ist are in constant demand. His sermons
have stirred the hearts OF men and women
to degree unapproached by any latter
day divine. j. Wilbur Chapman was born
in Richmond. Ind. June IL, 1859 He was
educated at Oberin College and Lake For
est University. and graduated for the min
istry from the Lane Theological Semin.
AIRY, Cincinnati, Ohio. in 1882 His ser
mons are simple and direct. 50 that their
influence Is not so much due to exciting
the emotions as to winning the hearts and
convincing the minds of those who hear
him. DIR. Chapman Is now in charge of
the Fourth Presbyterian Church, New
York City.l
New YORK CITY-The Rev. DIR. J. Will
bur Chapman. the popular pastor-evangel-
list, who Is now preaching to overlooking
congregations in this city, has furnished
the following eloquent sermon to the
press. 1t was preached from the text
Genesis xiv. So: Wilt thou go with this
man? And she said. will CO.
This is the story OF an Old Testament
wedding in which our text is found, and
naturally because 1t is a marriage scene it
IS interesting. The saying that ''all the
world loves a lover" is very true, and I
suppose is not without meaning the wide
world round, but there is something about
an Oriental wedding which is especially
interesting. Again and again in this Book
OF Inspiration such scenes are recorded,
but of all the Old Testament stories I
place this the first OF its kind.
IL l were an artist l should paint it, and
II were an artist worthy Of my theme it
would surpass the other masterpieces in
the worlds great gallery OF art, notably
that Of the Russian wedding feast, which
has had admiration everywhere. The
heart of the picture is an old man; his
hair Is whitened with grief which in the
past days has taken hold upon him, and
the lines OF his countenance have been
peculiarly softened by the touch of the
ringer OF sorrow, leaeing. an expression
which can only come to those who have
been obliged to bear great burdens and
endure great Affections.
Abraham Is practically alone in the
world, for Sarah Is gone. She who had
lourneyed with him to Bethel. down into
Egypt and back again to Hebron. the
place OF fellowship, Is at rest, and in the
cave OF Machpelah she waits BY his side
to hear the summons given at the resur.
rection morning. Abraham was desolate.
They had made so long journey together
that their lives were like one
In the long years liker had they grown,
Till at the last she set herself to him
Like perfect music unto noble words"
Above him is God, who has kept His
word with him when He said. AS was
with Moses so l will be with thee" about
him the angels who keep watch over him
all day and all the night in sleepless vigil:
before him the trusted servant to whom
he speaks, And Abraham was old and
well stricken IN age; and the Lord had
blessed Abraham in all things. And Abra-
ham said unto his eldest servant of his
house, that ruled over all that he had. Put,
1 pray thee, thy hand under my thigh,
and will make thee swear by the Lord,
the God of heaven, and the God OF earth,
that thou shalt not take wife unto my
son OF the daughter OF the Canaanites.
among whom l dwell. But thou shalt go
unto my country, and to my kindred. and
take wife unto my son Isaac. And the
servant said unto him. Peradventure the
woman viii not be willing to follow me
unto this land; must / needs bring thy
son again unto the land from whence thou
earnest. And Abraham said unto him.
Beware thou, that thou bring not my son
thither again. The Lord God OF heaven,
which took me from my fathers house,
and from the land of my kindred. and
which spake unto me, and that sware unto
ne, saving. Unto thy seed will give this
Id thou shalt take wife unto my son
an thence. And If the woman will not
willing to follow thee. then thou shalt
clear from this my oath; only bring not
son thither again. And the servant
his hand under the thigh of Abraham,
master, and sware to him concerning
matter" Genesis "a: l-9.
c OF the incidents of the picture would
re setting forth OF this servant. And
ervant took ten camels of the camels
master, and departed; for all the
OF his master were in his hand; and
ose and went to Mesopotamia, urto
le Grey Major" Genesis "a: 10. One
the most picturesque sights OF the East
a camel train. With peculiar swinging
ut these strange animals of the desert
ash their way along on a most interest
journey, but the picture can only be
preciated when looked upon in the at
os2here OF the Orient / counted 100
morning jcurneying toward the pyra-
ds beyond Cairo. The train Of this old
want was made up OF ten camels only,
they We're the camels OF a prince.
eir trappings were gorgeous, and side
side with Abraham We watch them as
go until they are lost to view
e next incident is the approach to Ma
1t IS the hour OF sunset; the day is
ont of the sky. There is really moth
nat can be compared with that time in
asst, when the day Is far spent and
ght is at hand. The birds hush their
the cattle are still, all nature is at
the hills are TRANSPORTED and the
and the seas are like most beautiful
Ladened with precicrs gifts the ten
kaeel lust rs the women are coming
draw water from the well. The
1 as they kneel begins to pray
come TO pass that the damsel
hall say, Let down thy pitcher,
that / may drink; and she
ink, ard l will give thy carl-
20; let the same be She that
appointed for Thy servant
ereby shall know that Thou
kiacness into my master"
4. and the answer comes at
it came to bass. before he
liking, that behold, Rebekah
was born to Bethuel, son
wife of Major, Abraham's
her pitcher upon her shorl-
-. Is.
modest of manner, pure
face she stants in the
erva1t of All lham As
was the daughter of
sdition she was of virgin
sarance sine was fair to
iucatioa she was trained
:. This is Rebekah, the
e. And the man won
his peace, to witness
had made his journey
And 1t came to pass,
done drinking, that the
earring of half n shekel
racelets for her hands
rht of gold; and said,
thou? tell me- / pray