Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-11-12
TALMAGE
SERMON
By Rev.
FRANK DE WITT TALMAGE. DID,,
Pastor Of Jefferson Park Presby.
terrain Church. Chicago

|
blessings, relief from the oppressive
burdens Of life, which bear heavily on
humanity. The text is Matthew XII. %,
Come unto me all ye that labor and
are heavy laden, and l will give you
rest"
Like the sensitive opal, this text
shines best when it has been heated by
the fires of tribulntion. Like the dia-
mond, 1t glitters and sparkles bright.
est when 1t has been cut by the lapi-
Diary of trouble. Like some Of the
autumnal fruits, It is sweetest to the
parchcd APPS when It has been frost
bitten. Like the morning sunrise, it
is the most gladly welcomed by the
poor, tired invalid who, unable to
sleep during the long, weary hours Of
the night. has tossed upon the hot,
fevcred pillow and wished for the day.
Like the sight OF the old homestead,
it is most desired by the ragged out
cast of a repentant prodgal, wearled
with his journey from the far country,
who sees again his fathers home,
where he shall find forgiveness and
love.
These old promises Of the Bible, Of
fering rest and peace to those who are
troubled and in pain and sin, have II
far different meaning to us after we
have been compelled to lift the cup Of
sorrow to our lips and drink its con-
tents to the bitter drcgs. When we
first begin to study Gods word we are
like TO that young man who for the
first time stood before famous pic
turc All the artistic world was rem
dering homage to that canvas and de-
clar,ng that it was masterpiece. Yet
what did the young man in his igno-
rance say? "Ah, yes that is very
pretty picture, but | do not see any
thing so wonderful in it, But after
awhile that young man bcgaIfeo study
art. In his studies he developed the
latent or dormant artistic powers OF
his mind and soul. lie not only stud
led in the nrt schools of America, but
he crossed the seas and went to the
schools Of France and Italy. He sat
at the feet OF the great masters. Then,
fresh from his studies. he came back
and stood second time before that
same picture. Now 1t seemed to him a
first saw. His cheek flushed: his eye
grew bright; he looked at that picture
fast from one side OF the room and
then from the other. At last, after
many minutes OF glorious soul thought.
he cried out in rapture: Beautiful!
Beautiful. Is it not beautiful" When
young men and young women first
reference to sorrows and heavy bur-
dens do not appeal very strongly to
them. Their horizons are always rain
bowed. Their hillsides are always
hanging gardens and terraced vine
yards. Their bodies always seem to
have the warm, rich blood Of perpetual
youth coursing through their veins. A
physicians prescription is not sought
after by the we'll nor an oculist by
those having good eyes. But when,
like that young man who studied in
the art schools of Europe after We
have been compelled to take long
course in the school Of adversely"
and then postgraduate course after
postgraduate course. oh, then how diff
terent Gods sweet promises appear to
Us.
An interpretation.
Today | would talk to those who
have floundered knee deep and chin
deep in the quicksands of trouble. I
would try 10 interpret for you what
the gospel rest of my text means. I
would interpret it not only for those
who have found this rest, but also for
those who may be persuaded to seek
it as God given blessing at the foot
Of the cross. What Is your burden, my
brother? Perhaps it Is some sorrow
common to the whole human race. 1t
is very heavy and no lighter from the
fact that others are bearing the same
load. Perhaps 1t is some trouble pecul-
lar to yourself that you cannot bear to
describe even to friend. Every heart
linoweth its own bitterness" but, what
ever it may be, the invitation Christ
gives is for you.
He offers you rest from the over
whelming burden OF sin. This was the
heavy pack which nearly crushed the
tired pilgrim in Bunyan's great ale
CORY 1t is the heavy burden that makes
| the hearts and brains and eyes and feet
and hands and the backs of all terrific
ally ache during the sad journey Of
life.
The past and the present, like the 81
amese twins, are inseparably Joined.
From human standpoint we cannot
| live in the today" without feeling the
blistered lips Of the yesterday" breath
ing upon our cheeks, In Dante's In
| ferno" there was one region in which
suffering spirits had their necks twist
ed by the king Of terrors, While they
might be walking in one direction their
eyes were always turned TO the rear.
In life's journey the remOrseful eyes of
the unforgiven sinner are always turn
ed to the rear. They are always look
Ing at the threatening results OF evil
deeds which may have been committed
years ago. "Oh." says the royal prose
cutting attorney, Nj. de Villefort, In Du'
mas greatest story, III ! could only
get rid Of the burdens of my past sins
But cannot: l cannot" No: he can
not, The aF!l results OF those sins, like
a hound upon the hack OF n hare, new
or lose their scent They track the sin
ner from town TO town; they track him