The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-09-30

higher than mere alteration, ut admira.
ton is not alteration. Men might say all
these about the Christ and vet misjudge
what the Christ meant to bring to the
hearts of men. Men are questioning the
assurance OF the love of God. Where shall
we lcoli for certainty ii not to Jesus?
There is an optimism in N. erican char.
acter which tends toward contentmert
with this present world. l have re.
marked it in my travels from east to west.
A readiness to take things as they come
md be satisfied with them.
In this assembly, as large "s it is, a holi.
day assembly, too, there are undoubtedly
men who have some great sorrow, and
there are times when many of us have felt
tome great sorrow. ] have found here and
there We come across silent men. who
have been beaten in the battle of life. and
who have no part in this general optimism.
The world as God has made it is one OF
beauty. This morning, for example, the
sun is shining around us everywhere; we
are glad to meet it's beams the very
brightness affects our spirit, and helps us
But do you realize that there is tragedy
under every green leaf? Hear the waves
breaking upon the seashore. Do You real.
ize that the smiling sea surrounding us
Yesterday strangled some mothers SOM
Here are we meeting in brightness and
10 you TelIlTP IlldL tne same
sun shining upon US is taking the life OF
some one in some part o! this continent
to-day?
Have YOU never felt. brethren. some
:ime that you could improve on life il you
bad the power that is in the hands OF
Sod?
"oh, love, could you and with Him con.
spire,
To grasp this sorry schems o: things on.
tire;
Would not we shattcr it to bts-nrd then
Re-mo!d it nearer TO the heart's desire"
1t is because of this mood that [ have
found in America aud England that people
have asked the question, How shall we be
sure OF God! Where is spiritual certain.
~! One man. once said to. me- III YOU
~ere, master OF the community, think J
could trust you. ] don't think you could
wish me harm. Can't you make me sure
Of the love OF God. Oh, make me sure Of
she victory OF Christ"
Now. brethren, listen to me: first of all,
Scar the ground by this reflection, that
the only real communion, the only spirit.
ual experience that is worth having is no.
that which can he set forth in terms of
mind; it is not that which can I've demon.
strated by figures. and You will have to
begin where they did-in the upper room.
A man must ind Christ for himself. Your
soul should he the reelection of the mind
L
even here, is that which cannot be demon.
strated.
For example. suppose the bishop, here.
was called to his reward. and while ] am
speaking to you some one should say. "He
s gone" But all that you can now see,
yet YOU would say. "He is gone" Yes, it
would be his soul that had gone to make
perfect the union with Christ.
Brethren, take the Christ out of my
spiritual armament and the world would
be dark and cold to me-. There never was
time when the worlds people were in
such demand OF Christ as today. No,
never! If you could take the Christ GU.
of history, if you could suppose the world
to be as it is men would still be asking fer
some one to save them, and the conquer
ing love, would be craved for by them,
even if they Hid not know it.
Now. brethren. let lis go back to the
Christ by all means, but let il be the
Christ OF experience, not simply the Christ
Of history. Christ went away 70 come
nearer. He went to His own and He never
left them.
II is by no means Gods purpose that any
man should remain in the house OF mourn.
ing. On the throne of the universe sits
one with the heart of a child. No stran.
yer cries but whose voice is heard by the
One whom Paul preached, whom John
loved the same who in the far off DAYS OF
Galilee walked upon the hillsdes doing
good. He is on the throne now.
Mr.. Moody once told story in England
concerning the first evonyelical mission
there. He was asked to call upon a Door
man in Dundee who had been bedridden
70" a long time. Mr.. Moody went to take
blessing, but instead got one. The man
had been standing under the blessing OF
| calvary; it was no shock 10 him to BIZ told
that the world seemed to be upside down.
| and the man would have had poor time
| Of it if thev had spoken to him OF his suf.
ferings. When Mr.. Moody left the cham.
Der he said: 81 guess when the angels pass
| for refreshments" Do you see, brethren? ?
| Do You see?
Men like Peter and John who have
| been admitted to the fellowship of the
| cross do not doubt the love of God. Peace
and pain, JOY and sorrow are not exclus-
| i've. Tho latter prepares the way for the
| former.
I once heard "Cvpsy" Smith tell a story
about his own little sons who had played
,ruant. and in irving to be stern he had
sent them TO bed, and they were not to
have any supper, If YOU nlease. He passed
the rest Of the evening tiptoeing about lis.
tening and wondering what the effect OF
the punishment would be. Finally, not
hearing any sound, he made his way to
the bed chamber. As he leaned over the
he'd one OF the little fellows said. "ls that
you, father" / just went for him and
irew, him in and the little fellow, sohsed
,ur, Father, will YOU forgive mc?" "Yes,
my son; yes. yes, will forgive you, for J
love you" "Thcn. father. take ME down
TO supper" We know the great Father
because we have looked into the face of
the Son.