The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-04
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tunity 20 make your vows good in the
sight OF God by living life that will
be OF service To men. The time has come
Wnen you must say for yourselves. Win
] be loyal to that high purpose set be-
fore me. or shall I play with IL and lose
the strength that Will flow from It and
go out into the world as other men.
THE SECRET OF STRENGTH.
How many young men and women fail
ing to see that here alone is not only
source OF that JOY that will flood the
coming years wirl cheer have said life is
!ong and youth is for laughter and re-
lieion IS serious. ! will postpone the
day. The fathers and the mothers vow
made before God at the altar in bap-
yourself have made inspired by thei
VOW Is broken. Yet you say that after a
tiIne / shall reconsecrate myself to God.
IL one hint that he did. This Is the
climax OF the account, Blind bound in
letters OF brass. grinding in the prison
head began TO grow again after he was
shaven This Is told as II the writer
would lead us TO believe that again ne
had consecrated himself as Nazarite
10 God. His strength returned. Now
comes the end.
sAMSoN's PRAYER.
AZ a feast OF the Philistines. in honor
OF thelr god. they bring samson forth ana
set set him between the pillars. Here sam
strengthen me. pray thee, only this
once, Q God. that 1 may be at once
eyes. Grasping the pillars he shook
them. The house fell wherever were the
Philistine lords and we are told that
the dead which he slew at his death
his life "
His strength returned. but what a
gloomy strength IL was. The JOY OF his
GOT BACK ms strength, but there came
no Joy or pleasure with f. No longer is
u me picture of the bridesvpom coming
forth and rejoicing as strong man to
run a race. ask you for another Kind
Of strength this morning. the strength
OF Samson before his vow was broken
toe strength that brings rejoicing. The
strength that carries not from vows
menued, nut from VOWS never broken;
the strength that has not the gloom or
a misspent life hanging over It. but the
strength that is crowned with early Joy
ana lighted up with youthful hope.
Nor Is me application wanting for those
VINO nave entered into the church and by
so doing have consecrated themselves 10
God and men. The application is need
go, &C. Tor how light on some these obliga-
seems small and well nigh unnecessary
small excuses seem quite sufficient 10
I3nset I'i,s, great responsibilities. the RESPONSE
greater. responsibility OF the future
wnen the burden OF the church will he
shifted to your shoulders.
THE PROTESTANT CONCEPTION
The Protestant conception OF the
cnurch seems TO serve today as an ex-
GuSs ~ 10 remain apart from IL. or at least,
IN H. 10 shirk the duties IL imposes We
are Obliged To say in truth and honesty
.nat IL is not necessary to salvation, yet
tion % is Is lfe sense sodn.i IN which il Is saliva.
TO look 10 God. but at the same time n
leads man to extend his hand TO his
ieIowmen. Consecraton is not n mat
nrac,ic.' - theory' There is nothing more
we consecrate ourselves to God bu,
every man who truly consecrates him
pose. Amos, Isaiah Jeremiah conse
Grated themselves TO God. TO redeem is
Miael M We consecrate ourselves TO GOD
ne,g 70 help the city OF Providence and
II this church isn't doing il il is partiy
because you young men and young wo-
n, men, n, VINO have consecrated yourselves
INC ohurch is not doing it's duty then it's
your DUTY to see to II that II does n is
Jus, J ,his necessity OF the earthly toucN
non TO God that the Society OF t,hrIstian
bndeavor finds its place In the church
ana serves Its purpose. 1t offers the
A NEW BAPTISM.
We need here just what is needaa IN
nnVsi churches new baptism OF the holy
splrlt until We shall ali become ANXIOUS
,bIuirers. il., . saying: God. what wouIdst
enas readiness that says: Here am 4:
sehu me. More OF our young people
would then avail themselves OF the on
portunlty this society affords for pracii- |
caI usefulness and helpful Christian Nv
Ins' we snail make plenty OF mistakes
we we VINO are young. before life shall have
oeen s.,t, nved and death shall cease the |
struggle Let us make no mistake bera
llet llet US say this morning that whatever |
sorrow and failure may come into n |
mere snail be no weakness or failure or |
sunerlng because we have not conse |
Grated ourselves to the Eternal God am.
oeen true 10 our VOWS
mere is no time like unto this time |
lor such a conservation for arc we nor |
no" Tow TO celebrate the life and death OF |
me, unlike samson, who al twelve wears |
was about his Fathers business az o.,
ne ne emo Is found praying in Gethsemane,
not my Will. O God. but thine be done =
Ny prayer for all OF YOU is that tho Vic
.orlous spirit or the triumphant Christ
na! come 10 you now and give Won the
ilctory that triumphs over life and death