The Penn's Grove record., 1903-10-02

ton is not adoratic1. Men might say all
these about the Christ and yet 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 look for ~certainty If rot to Jesus?
There is an optimism in American char
aeter which tends toward eontentment
with this present world. l have re-
marked it in my travels from cast to west.
A readiness to take things as they come
and be satisfied with them.
In this assembly, as large IS 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
some 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 its beams; the very
brightness affects our spirit, and helps US
to look forward with hope into the future.
But do you realize that there is a tragedy
under every green leaf? Hear the waves
breaking upon the seashorei Do you real
lie that the smiling sea surrounding Us
Yesterday strangled Some mothers SON.
Here are we meeting in brightness and
~ ~ SFtAADN ttab "a odAAC
sun shining upon us is taking the life of
some one IN some part Of this continent
| to-day?
Have you never fe.t, brethren. some
time that you could improve on life if you
had the power that is in the hands OF
God?
ooh, love. could you and / with Him rom
spirG,
To grasp this sorry scheme of things en-
tire;
Would not we shatter it to bits-and then
Re-mold it nearer to the hearts desire"
1t is because of this mood that I nave
found in America and England that people
have asked the question, How shall we be
sure OF God? Where is spiritual certain
ty: One man once said to me, III you
were master Of the community, I think L
could trust you. I don't think you could
wish me harm. Can't you make me sure
Of the love of God. Oh, make me sure of
the victory of Christi
Now, brethren. listen to me: first OF all,
Gear the. ground by this reflection, that
the only real communion, the only spirit
ual experience that is worth having is not
that which can be set forth in terms OF
mind; it is not that which can be demon
strated by figures, and Won will have to
begin where they did-in the upper room.
A man must ind Christ for himself. Your
soul should be the reflection OF the mind
of the Master. The only real communion,
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
is gone" But all that you can now see.
his venerable body, would still be here, and
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 ard cold to me. There never was
a time when the worlds people were in
such demand of a Christ as TO-DAY. No,
never. If you could take the Christ out
of history, if you could suppose the world
to be as it Is men would still be asking for
some one to save them, and the conquer
ing love would be craved for by them,
even if they did not know it.
Now, brethren, let us go back to the
Christ by al means, but let it be the
Christ of experience, not simply the Christ
OF history. Christ went away to come
nearer. He went to His WI and He never
left them.
1t 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-
ger cries but whose voice is heard by the
One whom Paul preached, whom John
loved the m who in the far off days of
Galilee walked upon the hillsides doing
good. He is on the throne now.
Mr.. Moody once tod a story in England
concerning the first evangelical mission
| there. He was asked to call upon a poor
man in Dundee who had been bedridden
for a long time. Mr.. Moody went to take
a blessing, but instead got one. The man
bad been standing under the blessing of
Calvary; it was no shock to him to be told
that the world seemed to be upside down.
and the man would nave had a poor time
of it if thew had spoken to him of his suf-
ferings. When Mr.. Moody left the cham
Der he said: 81 guess when the angels pass
over Dundee, they will stop at that house
for refreshments" Do you see, brethren?
Do YOU see2
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. The latter prepares the way for the
former.
I once heard Gypsy Smith tell a story
about his own little sons who had played
truant. and in irving to be stern he had
sent them to bed. and they were not to
have any supper. if you please. 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
bed one OF the little fellows said. "ls that
YOU, father" / just went for him and
drew him in and the little fellow sobhed
out, Father, viii YOU forgive Ee?' Eyes,
nv son; yes. yes, | viii forgive you, for 1
love YOU" ''Then. father. take me down
TO supper" We know the great Father
because we have looked into the face OF
the Son.