Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-10-03

| tion Is not duOrdtlcI N1ei! HiiSh' soy "f'
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 certaint:,, if not to Jesus?
| There is an optimism i'll Al-erican char
acter which tends toward contentment
with this present world. l have re.
marked it in my travels from east to west.
| A readiness to take things as they come
and be satisfied with them.
| In this assembly, as large IS it is, hoi-
lay assembly, too, there are undoubtedly
| men who have some great sorrow, and
there are times when many of US have felt
.here we come across silent men, who
have been beaten in the battle of life, and
| Tho 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
! 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 seashorc Do you real
ize that the smiling sea surrounding us
| Yesterday strangled some mothers SON?
Here are we meeting in brightness and
sun shining upon us is taking the life of
some one in some part OF this continent
J to-day?
Have you never felt. brethren. some
| time that you could improve on life if you
had the power that is in the hands Of
| Sod?
ooh, love. could you and with Him con.
To grasp this sorry scheme of things en-
Would not we shattcr it to bits-ard then
| Re-moid it nearer to the hearts desire"
| 1t is because Of this mood that I have
found in America and England that people
have asked the question, How shall we be
sure Of God? Where is spiritual certain
were, master Of the community, think !!
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,
:,,ear the ground by this reflection, that
The only real communion. the only spirit
,al experience that is worth having is not
chat which can be set forth in terms of
mind; it is not taat which can be demon
strated by figures. and You will have to
oegin where they did-in the upper room.
A man must ind Christ for himself. Your
soul should be the reflection of the mind
If the Master. The only real communion,
even here, is that which cannot be demon
strated.
For example. suppose the bishop, here,
gas called to his reward, and while l am
speaking. to YOU some one should say, "He
S gone" But all that you can now see.
lis venerable, body, would still be here, and
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
&c dark and cod to me: There never was
time when the worlds people were in
such demand Of a Christ as to-day. No,
neyIer! If You could take the Christ out
Of history. if You could suppose the world
| ID be as it is men would still be asking for
some one to save them, and the conquer
ng love would be craved for by them,
even if they did not know it.
! Now, brethren, let us so back to the
christ by all means, but let it be the
Christ of experience, not simply the Christ
nearer. He went to His own and He never
left them.
Tt 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-
One whom Paul preached. whom John
| love the same. who in the far off days Of
Ga, e walked upon the hillsides doing
90: He IS on the throne now.
| VI Moody once told 4 story in England
! rou ernirg the first evangelical mission
! the. He was asked to call upon poor
! I'll in Dundee who had been bedridden
~ a long time. Mr.. Moody went to take
Messing, hut instead cot one. The man
aa6 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 have had poor time
| IF it if thew had sno'yen to him of his s,,f-
| ferngs. When Mr.. Moody left the cham
Ter ho said: ST guess when the angels pass
ever Dundee. thew will stop at that house
! for refreshments" Do you see. brethren?
D" YOU see?
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. 10Y and sorrow. are not eXclus-
i've. The latter prepares th~ way for the
| former
once heard "Gvnsy" Smith tell a story
about his own little sons who had PLAYED
truant. and in trying to be stern he had
sent them to bed. and they were not to
have any supper, if YOU please. lie passed
the rest of the evening tiptoeing about lis
tening and wondering what the effect of
fhe 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, "Is that
drew him in and the little fellow sobhed
out, Father, will YOU forgive. me-" eyes,
love vol yonl.'' "Then. father. take ! me down
TO supper" We know the great Father
because we have looked into the face of
the Son.