Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-09

1 ing God chance. You and need to learn it, too, if we would do successful work for Him. Oh, that the message
 that was blazoned upon the heart of Zerubbabel might burn itself deep into the heart of every Christians: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts."
 Give God chance. This sounds like rather a startling suggestion. And it might hastily be concluded that it was quite an unnecessary one in this advanced ecclesiastical age, when some form of religion or other is observed and practiced by nearly every one, and when the different de- nominations have perfected the ma- chinery of their church organizations to such a high degree and have all their varied forces so well and thor oughly equipped. Why" you ex- claim, "whenever before has God had such a chance as He has to-day? Look at the schools, colleges and theological seminaries euuippino young men as never before for Gods work; look at the wealth and power and extended influence of the church: look at the great institutional churches rearing themselves in every large city; look at the great mission ary organizations that collect hun- dreds of thousands of dollars every year and freely spend the same in maintaining missionaries in every na- tion and every cline; look at the great denominational gatherings every year, see the enthusiasm, hear the reports, take in the scope of the enlarged plans for the new year, and when the mind has in some degree grasped the magnificent range of Christian activities of the twentieth century, turn," you say, "and study the enlarged and improved forces at work in the individual churches. When has the pastor been so alive to the responsibilities, or so thor ough in his methods? Whenever be- fore have his forces been so we'll or ganized? The churches have been equipped with every modern comfort and convenience, the service has been beautified and the standard of the music rendered raised to meet culti- vated and refined tastes Surely,'' you eXclaim, God never before had such an opportunity" Perhaps? !? Let us see! In the light and thought of our text may it not be that the very argument you have used to prove your point that God never be- fore had such a chance may prove a boomerang and become an argument against you? Is it possible for man to do so much that he crowds God out and renders His Spirit inopera- tive? Is it possible that the might and power' of the twentieth century Christian is making him forget the supreme need of reliance upon God and preventing, patient waiting for the cooperation of the Spirit of God? ? Surely the empty pews in thousands of churches, the thinning ranks of theological students, the feverish discussions among churchmen for new methods, a modernized Gospel, and popular preaching are the strong internal evidence and admission that something is lacking. What is that something? Is it not the Spirit of God? for mot by might, nor by power," but by the Spirit of God are the purposes and plans of God to be worked out.
 Man is coming so willingly to carry much of the burden of Christian work in his own wisdom and own strength, that God is withdrawing and leaving the church to struggle on alone. And what is needed is not new methods, a modernized Gospel and popular preaching, but an humble seeking of GoG and patient wooing of the Spirit of God back to His rightful place in the Christian heart, and Christian life, and church activity, and a yielding to Him the full scope of His omnipotent re- sources. And this is the message echoed from the sacred page in the ears of the church and Christian peo- pie of to-day: Give God a chance"
 Note in connection with our text the vision which came to Zechariah to illuminate and reveal it's wonder- ful meaning: A golden candlestick with bowl at the top for the oil to feed the seven lamps through the numerous pipes. The humble but wonderful mission which those pipes performed typifies our relation to Gods work. Ours not to be the olive trees at the side of the candle stick pouring their oil into the bowl at the top. Ours not to be the bowl Ours to be only the pipes through which the oil of Gods power can flow to feed the light which we bvavely hold up to shine in the darkness of the world for God. Rev. Dr. Meyer. ill his comment in his Daily Homily" on this chapter, eXclaims:
 What sermon there is in wick! Sit beside it, and ask how it dares hope 70 be able to supply light for hours and hours to come. Will YOU tA