The Savannah morning news., 1903-11-02

used to illustrate religious doctrine. 1t
is the closing scene of these marriage
festivities which Christ uses as a
foundation for the parable. Accom-
panied by his bride, the bridegroom is
about to return to his future home.
The time was night and while one
band of maidens escort the bride from
her home. another waits to welcome her
to her new home They are represented
as waiting, peering out through the
darkness to catch the first sound of the
approaching party, but it happened
that the procession was detained be-
yond the appointed hour. Exhausted
with the excitement and fatigue OF
their waiting and preparations, they all
fell asleep, and while the bridegroom
tarried they all slumbered.' At last
they were aroused from their slumbers
with the cry: Behold, the bridegroom
cometh' They all rise hurriedly, and
trim their lamps. When five Of them
found that the oil was exhausted. They
begged of the other five, but they had
none to spare. and while they were
gone to buy, the bridegroom came and
they that were ready went in with him
to the feast and the door was closed.
The sadness Of the parable is the five
foolish virgins coming when it was too
late, and all their entreaties for ad-
mittance to no avail.
Il give you some brief lessons taught
in this beautiful parable" said Mr..
Christian. THE virgins slumbered, but
when the cry came, five were ready.
What constituted the difference, seeing
they were all asleep? The difference
is one was prepared at a moments
warning and the other unprepared. The
seeming Indifference of this audience
about the coming judgment may arise
from different causes. The man who
has prepared to meet God is SEEM
ingly unconcerned about the coming of
this trying hour but others who show
no concern simply from indifference
and failure to realize its stupendous
importance-one sleeps on storm
tossed ocean, knowing that he is safe
ly anchored the other sleeps while
every moment he is nearing the roar
ing reef. The one went TO sleep ready;
the other unprepared.
1--WE are reminded in this parable"
said Mr.. Christian, "of the sudden and
unexpected coming of the Son of Man.
The kingdom of heaven is likened I'M
TO leaven, unto a mustard seed; but
then shall the king Of heaven be lik-
ened unto the ten virgins; no time
for leaven to work no time for seed
to grow; the last hour will have come.
Readiness for His coming, and for His
coming suddenly is the pivot of this
parable If the man had known at
what time the murderer would stand
over his helpless child to do his deadly
work he would have watched. Watch
We, then for ye know not the day nor
the hour when the Son of Man cometh.'
Every beating pulse, every shooting
pain, every gray hair, is but warn
ing to be ready when He comes.
How sad to see an honest man fail
in his business! He struggles to get
on his feet and regain his fortune, but
everything works against him. How
sad to see a man, strong and vigorous,
by imposing on his strength, lose his
health: slowly wasting away, he seeks
medical skill and health resorts, but
still he grows worse. The door is shut
A man trihes with his conscience,
abuses his sensibilties until the gos-
pei ceases to move his heart. He is
enveloped in darkness. The door is
shut What must it be when the bride
groom comes and closes the door to all
hope of heaven foreVer!"
Rev. Mr.. Christian announced at the
morning services that there remained
only three more Sundays in the pres
ent conference year, and that on Sun
day, Nov. 70, Bishop A. w. Wilson or
Baltimore will fill the pulpit OF the
Wesley Monumental Church at both
morning and evening services.