The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-01-26
The PLAN OF SALVATION
is ONE OF GENTlENESS.
Cod SbouId he Regarded as the Gen.
tie Father. Not the Stern Parent,
Says Rev. John c.

Goods Gentleness' was the theme OF the
sermon preached yesterday morning. at the
Maple Avenue Reformed Chnrch by tne
Reverend John n. G. :.T bSrn rsniion nse h aest m @as
me great He said. in part:
The fuller meaning OF the wo1o ,rah MS
lated se1insl. sns Is s,m 1rInsh1 In o our e esxperi.
enee of these human qualities we come TO a
knowledge of the tenderness of the heavenly
Father. So deep into the heart of God does
this sweet singer of old see that he antici-
pates the words of the great Reveaier, i am
meek and lowly in heart
This gentieness of the great heart OF 600
is what one has termed, the restraint of
power 1t Is the reserve of divine power.
Nature in her summer moods tells us some
thing of the nearing of gentieness. AS we
ripened gold. We feel the great heart of ma
lure is holding something back. why do we
speak Of the soft breeze of springtime as
because of what II does not reveal-the pos
sibility. the ntempered storm OF winter.
Any force that holds in reserve. that does
not exert the full measure of its rower. Is
entitled to the name gentle.
.This is supremely true of God, who holds
ell power in his hand. His gentleness is the
holding back of divine omnipo'ence. which
gives place to the exercise of human power.
1t is the reserve of Gods will which gives
place to the exercise of mans will. 1t is the
disposition that God ever has toward his
children. Although his children do not act
in accordance with his will, he does not de-
stroy, which at least is a p~rerogative of his
power: but In the gentleness of his love he
sheds mercy upon the hayward and disobe-
dent. a light to lead them back. a love to
forgive them.
''This disposition Of God finds a meaning
In some OF the tender relations Of human
life. An earthly father may have the power
to compel the outward obedience of his
child. but in the tender reserve of compul-
sion he anxiously watches the child of his
love. a hayward son, wandering far from
home and duty, The father might shut the
dnnf nj ma ronfnI Va p q rrnn1 hfrn fnrnNfnrs but
no. his aching heart holds in reserve this
Prerogative Of his power. In gentleness he
bides his time. yet ever yearning and long
Ing for his wandering boy.
"Besotted. broken in health and blasted
IN hope. the son comes back to the paternal
root. which years ago he spurned as the
ishes love. not in reproof. but in restoration.
HiR heart has loosed its power of gentle
ness Through such human experience We
heavenly. Father toward his children.
This disposition OF God finds fits highest
expression In the incarnate son of his love.
The old painters pictured Christ with a halo
OF glory encircling his brow. and caused eff
fniEent light to blaze from his person. But
usual In his outward figure and form. yet
there Is something wonderfully divine in
his person that puts light into those eyes
ana love In that face such as the world has
never seen. and life upon those lips such as
tie world has never heard.
AIusts nave Ialled to combine IN ono
face his majesty n meekness, his strength
and gentieness that has left its image on the
hearts OF his saints. Men were instinctiyeIy
drawn to him In rapturous devotion. women
Drought their troubles to him and children
spfanR into his arms in perfect confidence,
Inc peculiar charm Of his all-forgiving, ALL
c,eanSing love drew the multitude unto him..
ana the mere look of his loving eyes or the
meaning word of lips dissolved into repent
ant tears men long holden in the vice and
crime: he ever met storm with calm. hate
WIN love. bitterness with kindness, and in
tne might OF his ~gentleness oYercame the
w0rao. Holding In reserve the unlimited
scourgsng. wore the mock crown Of thorns
ana bore the cross Of Calvary on which he
nung. the lamb OF overcoming love. the one
tnat rose the. lord Of life, and reigns forever
me King OF glory. His is the gentleness Of
ny 81 aivine mercy that drops from the face
% Goa as the gentle rain from the clouds
OF heaven. This quality Of his mercy has so
mesteo mans heart and SO nodded HIS life
mo- Transformed his character that divine
sensisness mas made man great. Thus man
lsrAal experienced when he deciaress sThv
eentIeness hath made me great That has
God himself. VI
John the apostle was a man Of Intense
smo ever violent nature. Because Of this he
1t broke through his reserve when he Womb
caL down consuming fire upon the imneni.
tent village OF Samaria, but in the rnafiIrity
or MS lie he was the personifcation ~
A weak man. some would saw
A1Mn snorn OF his power of passion No
Sne gentleness OF love. Divine eenfIeneso
mad made him great,