The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-05-09


THE Rev. J. Wilbur Chapman, d. D.. is
now the most distinguished and best
known evangelist in the country. He was
second only 10 DR.. Talmage, but since the
death of that famous preacher DIR. Chap
man has the undisputed possession OF the
Pulpit as the preacher to influence the
plain people. His services IS an evangel-
lst are in constant demand. His sermons
have stirred the hearts OF men and women
10 a degree unapproaehed by any latter
day divine. j. Wilbur Chapman was born
IN Richmond, Ind, June IL, 1850. He was
educated at Oberhn College and Lake For
est University, and graduated for the min
istry from the Lane Theological Semin-
airy, Cincinnati, Ohio, in lss2. His ser
mons are simple and direct, 50 that their
influence is not so much due 10 exciting
the emotions as 70 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 CIrY-The Rev DR. j. vii
bur Chapman, the popular pastor-evangel-
ist, who is now preaching TO overfowing
congregations in this city, has furnished
the following eloquent sermon TO the
press. It was preached from the text
Genesis xiv, 5s: Wilt thou go with this
man. And she said. will go"
MS Is luc story OF an Oid testament
wedding IN which our text Is found and
naturally because il is a marriage scene II
Is interesting. The saying that all the
world loves a lover" is very true. and
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
or Inspiration such scenes are recorded,
but OF all the Old Testament stories
place this the first OF its kind
III / were an artist | should paint IT, and
il l were an artist worthy of my theme il
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
finger OF sorrow, leaving an expression
which can only come 10 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, aud 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.
I'm the long years hker had they grown,
TIL at the last she set herself u 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 / will be with thee" about
him the angels who keep watch over him
| all day and all the night in sleepless vigil !;
hlfOrp a. cd nj IN hnv
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,
l 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 a wife unto my
son of the daughter of the Canaanites
among whom i dwell. But thou shalt 90
unto my country, and to my kindred and
take wife unto my son Isaac. And the
servant said unto him, Peradventure the
woman Will not be willing TO follow me
unto this land; must i needs bring thy
son again unto the land from whence thou
| camestI 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
me, saving, Unto thy seed will i give this
land; He shall send His angel before thee;
and thou shalt take wife unto my son
from thence. And II the woman will not
be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt
be clear from this my oath; only bring not
my son thither again. And the servant
put his hand under the thigh OF Abraham
his master, and sware TO him concerning
that matter Genesis "a: 10.
One OF the incidents of the picture would
be the setting forth of this servant "And
the servant took ten camels of the camels
OF his master, and departed; for all the
goods OF his master were in his hand; and
he arose and went to Mesopotamia, unto
the city of Major" Genesis "a: 10. One
of the most picturesque sights of the East
Is a camel train With peculiar swinging
gait these strange animals of the desert
push their way along on a most interest.
ing journey, but the picture can only be
appreciated when looked upon in the at
mosphere OF the Orient. | counted 100
one morning Journeyiug toward the pyra-
mids beyond Cairo. The train Of this old
servant was made up of ten csmels only
but they were the camels of prince
Their trappings were gorgeous, and side
| by side with Abraham we watch them as
they go until they are lost TO view.
The next incident Is the approach 10 Ma
hor. II is the hour os sunset; the day is
dying out OF the sky. There is really moth
ing that can be compared with that time IN
the East, when the day u far spent and
the night Is at hand. The birds hush their
song, the cattle are still, all nature is az
rest, the hills are transhgured and the
rivers and the seas are like most beautiful
jewels. Ladened with precious gifts the ten
camels kneel just as the women are coming
forth 20 draw water from the well. The
old servant as they knee begins 90 pray.
And let It come 10 pass that the dansel
to whom ! shall say, Let down thy pitcher,
| pray thee, that | may drink; and she
shall say, Drink, and | will give thy cam
els drink ALSO let the same be she that
/ Thou hast appointed for Thy servant
Isaac; and thereby shall ] know that Thou
hast showed kindness unto my master.
Genesis "a: IL, and the answer comes az
once. And II came % pass, before be
bad done speaking that behold. Rebekah
came out, who was born . Bethuel. son
Of Micah, the wife OF Major, Abrahau.s
/ brother, with her pitcher upon her sloa!-
der" Genesis "a: Is.
Elastic Of step, modest OF -an7er, pure
OF heart. fair 0f face she stands IN the
presence OF the servant OF Abraham A.
TO rarentage she was the daughter OF
Bethuel; as % condition she was OF virgin
purity; az % appearance she was fair 20
look upon; az 20 education she was trained
20 domestic service This i Rebekah the
bride Of the picture. And the man won.
dering az her held his peace, 10 wltne-.
whether the Lord had made his journey
prosperous or not. And u came % pass.
a. the cameis had done drinking that the
man took a golden earring oi hall q shekei
weight, and two bracelets for her hands
Of ten shekes weight Of gold aad said,
Whose daughter art thOuy tell ne. ! pray
thee. IA thc~a roor-, a tly f4fherfa f1f+sa